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Principal Message
 Central is an amazing, small school located “in the heart of the city” near downtown Des Plaines, just a short walk from the Des Plaines Public Library, train station, City Hall an the downtown business district. The school is part of Des Plaines Community Consolidated School District #62 and has been proudly educating the children of Des Plaines since 1906.
The teachers at Central School are knowledgeable, dedicated and committed to both the academic and character development of each and every student. We believe in multiple intelligences, differentiation of instruction, brain based research and following best research-based practices. Traditional and multi-age classrooms are utilized to support student learning. Classroom teachers utilize whole group, small group and individualized instruction emphasizing word study (sight vocabulary, phonics analysis, spelling, structural analysis and word meaning), fluency (reading speed, oral reading accuracy and intonation/prosody), comprehension (types of information in text, information structure and strategies for constructing meaning), and writing (purposes, products, processes, and audiences). The teachers use a traditional math series and a supplemental program called Otter Creek, in order to teach both basic facts and problem solving.
Our School Improvement Plan focuses on math, reading and writing. The entire Central School team is committed to high academic expectations for our students. To that end, the staff will focus on fine tuning the Otter Creek math program, ongoing assessment of our students in reading in order to utilize flexible groups, identifying and assisting our struggling readers, and utilizing the writers’ workshop format and the 6 plus 1 Writing Traits (Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, Conventions and Presentation) to continue to develop and improve students’ writing abilities.
Central School believes in creating and maintaining a positive learning atmosphere through developing positive character traits and communicating positive behavior expectations. Two nationally recognized programs are utilized to develop both positive character traits and behaviors in our students. These programs are “Character Counts” and “Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS).”
The Central School Staff has developed a matrix of expected behaviors entitled, “Eagle Expectations.” The three major behaviors are as follows:
- Be Respectful
- Be Safe
- Be Responsible and Ready to Learn
All students in grades 1-3 are provided instruction in Physical Education twice a week. Art classes are provided to students in grades 1-5 for forty-five minutes once a week. Children in grades 1-5 are instructed in Vocal Music/Drama three times a week for thirty minutes. Students in grades 4-5 are instructed in Physical Education/Health for 150 minutes each week. 5th grade students will have the opportunity to have lessons in an orchestra or band instrument. Kindergarten students are provided with half-day developmental activities. Children participate in Physical Education once a week and Vocal Music twice a week for twenty minutes. Parents may choose to enroll their child in the Extended Day Kindergarten. Information on the program and its costs may be obtained by calling (847) 824-1065.
Before and after school day care is provided by the District’s SPARK program. Information on the program and its costs may be obtained by calling (847) 824-1065.
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