GENERAL INFORMATION

William H. Prescott Elementary School

1632 West Wrightwood, Chicago, IL 60614 

Phone: 773-534-5505  

Website: Prescott Parents – Keeping You Connected

  • Welcome to Prescott! video 
  • School tours are led by parents on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 9:00am from September – June (except March) followed by Q&A with administration. Reservations NOT required. Please inquire about special tours.
  • Prescott is a small school with ~425 students in Kindergarten through 8th grade, characterized by a caring, diverse school community that educates the whole child.
  • Emphasis on a strong home-school connection. Monthly parent newsletters and family nights are examples of this partnership.
  • Prescott staff recognize that social emotional learning (SEL) as critical to academic learning growth. Children learn to persist, work as a team and to problem-solve as part of their SEL development. Students learning in strong SEL environments do better academically.

Prescott’s Distinctions

  • In 2023, the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recognized Prescott’s  Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP), one of 32 schools in the state of Illinois. 
  • The State of Illinois honored the top 10% of schools, including Prescott School, with 2022 Illinois Exemplary Summative Designation 
  • In 2019, Prescott won the National Blue Ribbon School award from the US Department of Education.
  • In 2018, Prescott was one of only 13 schools among 700+ to be named a fully Healthy School.
  • Chicago Magazine named Prescott #13 out of over 400 elementary schools in Chicago (September, 2019), the most recent publication..
  • Chicago Magazine named Prescott #14 out of over 400 elementary schools in Chicago (September, 2016).
  • Prescott scores in the top 9% of schools nationally in reading and top 11% in math on the yearly NWEA/MAP assessment.
  • Prescott’s enrollment has increased an average of 10% from 2010-2019 until 105% capacity reached.
  • Prescott earns annually an Excelling rating on Creative Schools for its arts integration instruction.
  • 2015 → Top 5% nationally (math) and top 7% (reading) in student learning attainment, as measured by NWEA-MAP.
  • 2015 → Top 3% nationally (math) and top 14% (reading) in student learning growth, as measured by NWEA-MAP.
  • 2014 → Top 10% nationally (math) and top 20% (reading) in student learning growth, as measured by NWEA-MAP.
  • 2014 → Ranked in the top third of schools nationally on student learning attainment in reading and math.
  • 2013 → Value-add growth was in the top 10% of CPS on district-mandated assessments across all categories.

Outstanding Faculty

  • Eighty percent of teaching staff hold a degree from highly acclaimed institutions such as Tufts University, Wheaton College, the Erickson Institute, University of Illinois, The Ohio State University, Washington University (St. Louis), Michigan State, Marquette University, Indiana University, Northwestern University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Vanderbilt University.
  • Principal, Erin Roche, is a bilingual math and reading teacher. He has served as a school leader for 19 years and earned his doctorate from Vanderbilt University, named the best program in the country for Education Administration and Supervision (US News and World Report, 2021). In 2018, he was honored by WGN as one of Chicago’s Very Own for championing the Chicago Children’s Choir.  Dr. Roche is a 2016 Northwestern University Chicago Principal Fellow and a 2018-20 School Ambassador Fellow of the US Dept of Ed.
  • Assistant Principal, Melisa Rutkelis, has served as an assistant principal at Hawthorne School, as a Dept of Music coordinator for CPS, and as music teacher.  She extensively expanded the number of students participating in the All-City Competitions across the arts, developed an advanced arts program, cultivated partnerships with many arts partners, and managed a multi-million dollar budget
  • Kindergarten teacher, Lisandra Barajas, earned the Those Who Excel Award, in 2022 from the state of Illinois for excellent teaching.
  • Third grade Teacher, Jennifer Phares earned one of Illinois’ highest teacher honors, The Golden Apple Award  in 2009.
  • Prescott boasts Nationally Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) including Jennifer Phares, Meredith Swanson, Susan Jasutis, Amanda Hazelip, Cory Schiffern, Begona Cowan, and Erin Roche.
  • Google Educator Certification: including Erin Roche, Jennifer Phares, Sara Hainsfurther, Meredith Swanson, Kristin Cripe, Sarah Stefan, Haley Birnbaum, Cory Schiffern, Kelly Abolt, Andrea Edwards, Talitha Poole, Anthony Occhipinti
  • Middle School Math Teacher Julie Lohman and Principal Erin Roche are certified to teach 8th grade Algebra.

Rigorous Academics

  • Kindergarten through 8th graders are exposed to a rigorous, coherent curriculum aligned with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. 
  • In 2023, 80% of 8th graders were accepted to selective high schools (e.g., Lane Tech, Whitney Young, Jones), International Baccalaureate (IB) programs (e.g., Lincoln Park IB), Von Steuben Scholars, and Daniel Murphy Scholarships 
  • Kindergarten through 7th graders math curriculum is designed so qualifying 8th graders take Algebra, as the district allows.
  • Prescott’s ELA curriculum includes Lucy Calkins’ Readers and Writer’s Workshop as well as the Jr. Great Books shared inquiry model.
  • Students participate in an inquiry-based science curriculum.
  • Art and Physical Education (PE) learning is cohesive across K-8, so students apply skills and knowledge in art, PE, and other content.

 Strategic Partnerships

  • DePaul University: Over 50 college students observe science classrooms each year. Our high-quality teachers model best practices and inquiry-based science lessons.
  • Student teachers: Prescott attracts high-quality student teaching candidates from DePaul, UIC, Purdue University, Erikson Institute, the University of Chicago, and more.
  • GreenStar Movement: GreenStar worked with Prescott students to create one-of-a-kind tile mosaics throughout the school.
  • Alumni: Prescott School and Prescott Parents cultivate high school and college networks among alumni through multiple annual events.

OVER 30 EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AT PRESCOTT SCHOOL

  • Right at School: Fee-based after school program from 7:30-8:30am and 3:45-6pm daily.

  • For-fee programing: Chess Wizards, cooking class, We Got Game sports, Lego Engineering, yoga, among others.

  • Various sports including soccer, volleyball, track, softball and basketball.

  • Uniting Voices Chicago: performed at the Bank of America, 2022, Blue Man Group, 2016, and annually at Navy Pier & Millennium Park.

  • Battle of the Books: multiple teams compete to identify 21 books and authors read in three months.

  • Mathletes and Math Counts teams: 5-8th graders practice math and enter competitions in Chicago and state levels.

  • Jr. Mathletes: 3rd-4th graders practice math and enter competitions

  • Reading and math tutoring programs grow students at all levels.

  • Drama Club: annual productions include Charlotte’s Web, Peter Pan, James and the Giant Peach, and more.

  • Girls on the Run: Fall and Spring program encourages girls in 4-8th grades to know and activate limitless potential.

  • Future Problem Solving Program

    • 2023: 7 of 7 teams (29 students) earned berths in the state competition. Five teams placed in the top ten in their divisions.

    • 2022: 4 of 4 teams earned berths in the state competition

    • 2021: 3 of 4 teams earned berths in the state competition.  One team earned a berth in the international (virtual) competition

    • 2020: 4 of 5 teams earned berths in the state competition; Christa K won 2nd PL and Ava M won 5th in internationals (virtual)

    • 2019: all 3 teams earned finished in top 5 in state orals and 1 student won entrance to int’l competition

Parent/Community Support

  • Prescott Parents, a 501(c)3 organization (www.prescottparents.com), offers a range of support for the school to engage the community and raise funds.  Designed to keep all parents and supporters connected with each other and events at the school.
  • Local School Council – an active board working within the school, public participation encouraged
  • Strong commitments to Prescott School Community from Alderman, State Rep, US Rep and County Commissioner

The Buzz and More

  • 2015 Top 5% nationally in student learning attainment in math NWEA and top 7% in reading (2011 norms)
  • 2015 Top 3% nationally in student learning growth in math NWEA and top 14% in student learning growth in reading.
  • 2014 Prescott ranked in the top 10% nationally in NWEA-MAP student learning growth in reading and top 20% nationally in NWEA-MAP in math.
  • 2014 Prescott ranked in the top third of schools nationally on attainment in Reading and Math.
  • 2013 Prescott ranked in the top 1% nationally in NWEA-MAP student learning growth (4 million students take test).
  • 2013 Prescott’s value added growth was in the top 10% of CPS in ISAT and NWEA-MAP across all categories.
  • Extensive improvement in the last four years, thanks to dedicated parents, the new administration and faculty and a burgeoning neighborhood community.
  • Enrollment increased an average of 10% each of past three years
  • Teachers collaborate to plan Buddies program, Celebrations of Learning, Fall Family Reading Night, Family Science Night, and Spring Math & Reading Night
  • Caring, diverse school community that nurtures children to high academic levels and well-rounded skills.
  • Prescott students were featured on WBBM Radio for their anti-bullying campaign.

Contacts: