A wonderful early learning program at your neighborhood public school
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FAQS
Who is eligible?
Children who are three or four years old on September 1, 2013 and reside in Chicago. Incoming students must be potty trained (unless they have an IEP).
When does PreK run? What are the hours each day?
There are two sessions each day. The morning session runs from 8:45 to 11:20 am and the afternoon session runs from 1:05 to 3:40 pm. You apply generically, then select the morning or afternoon program during school enrollment (after being admitted to the program).
What does PreK look like at Brentano?
Brentano’s preschool offers a beautiful, welcoming environment that is perfect for your child’s circle time, gross motor activities, small groups, center choice time, and story time. Two of Brentano’s four PreK sessions are blended, meaning the classroom is made up of a mix of general education kids and children with special needs. The goal of both classrooms is to prepare students for success and happiness in kindergarten and beyond.first school experience. Our excellent teachers follow a whole-child philosophy in developing our preschool program. We use a Preschool for All curriculum based around monthly themes including “family”, “farms”, and “nutrition”. Daily routines include whole-group
How do I apply?
Print online application: http://www.cps.edu/Schools/EarlyChildhood/Documents/EarlyChildhoodApplication_English.pdf or pick up an application at Brentano elementary.
You need to include the following documents with your application: proof of child’s age, proof of residency, and income verification (paystub and W-2 both work). You also need to include Brentano’s school code (609809).
Applications are due between April 3rd and May 3rd. Based on the CPS process, applications can be turned it any time at a few sites, but can only be turned in at Brentano on the morning of April 29th when an application representative is present. They can be turned in at Yates Elementary (1839 N Richmond St) between 8:30 and 3:30 any time during the enrollment period. A few Saturday sites are open on April 13, 20 and 27 from 8:30 to noon. Main office at 125 S. Clark is one of those sites. Full information on application sites can be found here: http://www.cps.edu/Schools/EarlyChildhood/Documents/FamilyApplicationBooklet.pdf
How much does Brentano PreK cost?
CPS is moving toward a sliding scale payment system for public PreK, though the cost for even the highest income tiers is less than private PreK programs. If you have a family of four and earn $50,000 a year, tuition is roughly $36 per month. If your family earns over $95,000 per year, tuition is ~$425 per month (~$425 a month is the max).
CPS has a calculator to determine your exact co-payment amount. You can find it here: http://www.cps.edu/readytolearn
Is admission guaranteed? When will I hear if I’m admitted?
We hope to be able to offer a spot to every child who wants to attend Brentano’s preschool. Depending on the volume of applications, this may or may not be possible (the application process allows parents to apply to three pre-schools). Offer letters will be mailed in early June and families can then register with the program that they get into through June 17th.
How do I know Brentano’s PreK is right for my child? How can I learn more?
Come to visit! The best way to learn about Brentano’s wonderful program is by visiting while it is in session, observing students and talking to teachers.
How to visit:
● Open house: Tuesday, April 16, we will be holding an open house from 8 to 8:40 am, meeting in Room 113. At the open house, parents will tour the school, see the classrooms, meet teachers and ask questions about the application process. Brentano is located at 2723 N. Fairfield (just north east of Logan and California).
● Contact: Jeff Einbinder at jmeinbinder@cps.edu or 773-534-4867 to set up a visit.
● Toddler playgroup: Brentano hosts a free playgroup for toddlers on Monday mornings from (10am to noon). Feel free to stop by anytime and we can give you a tour of the pre-K classrooms. You can contact Kate Kindleberger, a member of Brentano’s Local School Council, for further information: 773-414-5904.
