How do Schools Both Prepare Students and Support Families Through the High School Search Process?   In this School Search Webinar Series, parents will learn how middle schools are helping to support families and students through the high school search process. Schools will share best practices in helping to prepare students through their academic journey with the high school search process in mind. Parents will learn what systems are in place to guide students and families through the

A healthy, diverse and inclusive classroom environment can allow every student to thrive. Children should be given the opportunity to learn free from discrimination and feel comfortable expressing their identities within their classroom and school community.    Parents will learn what practical steps schools take to build a welcoming environment for all students including differing cultures, gender identities and learning differences. Schools will share why creating an inclusive and di

How To Handle Academic Pressure in Middle & High School:   Panelists: Martin Moran, Lead Designer of Middle and Upper School, Bennett Day School (Panelist Sponsor) Anna Carey, Assistant Headteacher , British International School of Chicago, South Loop (Panelist Sponsor) Sarah Moon-Sarudi, Assistant Principal of Student Support, Walter Payton College Prep (Panelist) Tiffany Brownridge, Counselor, Whitney Young Magnet High School (Panelist)

Are you considering private schools in your school search? Do you have concerns about the cost of tuition? Or, have you dismissed the possibility due to affordability? This session is for you! Hear from some of Chicago's best private schools about affordability, grants, and financial aid. You will learn, about general needs and timelines when you apply for financial aid. In addition, details on affordability and alternative support options for each school on the panel.   Our esteemed p

Choosing a preschool can be overwhelming but in this session, you will get tips on making it manageable. Learn when to start researching schools, how to build a list of schools that are a good fit for your family, and how to manage applications, interviews, and notification letters. You will walk away feeling organized, confident, and ready for this next step.  Our esteemed panelists are, Erin Woodhams, Director of Marketing, Admissions, and Communications, British International School of C

Starting preschool is a big step and it can be an amazing experience for you and your child. In this session, we will discuss helpful routines you can start at home with your child to prepare for a smooth transition, separation anxiety, and any lingering doubts you might have about whether your child is ready or not. Our esteemed panel consists of Chloe Robson, Head of Early Years, British International School of Chicago, South Loop, Jimia Walker, Owner & Executive Director, Meaningful

It's that time of year again, school search time!   Schools are welcoming prospective families for in-person tours and open houses. What type of questions are appropriate to ask during a tour or open house?  Do you have questions about discipline, diversity, inclusion and bullying? Are any subjects off limits?  Whether you are looking for a preschool, an elementary school, looking to transfer to a new school or searching for a high school, this session is for you. In this session, our panel

Where did the time go? All of a sudden your preschooler is now in 7th or 8th grade, and it is time to think about high school. There are so many things to think about. How do you support them as they commute to school on their own, navigate a larger building, get to class on time and carry a heavier class load? How do you support the social emotional changes around fitting in, making new friends, staying true to themselves, and building healthy peer relationships? How do you prepare your child f

Laura Maheshwary, Director of Enrollment (PreK-2), with Bennett Day School, Erin Woodhams, Director of Marketing, Admissions & Communications with British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park and Cecilia Porter, Director of Admissions with Lycée Français de Chicago discuss the importance of a strong mental health foundation in early childhood. Learn how early childhood programs build foundational skills that help young children navigate challenges and manage their feelings.  

Chicago's Universal Pre-K initiative (free preschool for 4-year-olds) is now being offered to all Chicago families this fall 2022. Grace Lee Sawin of Chicago School GPS will give a presentation that walks you through the Pre-K application and admissions process. This webinar was recorded on 9-24-22 at the NPN School Fair; all information is current through then.

Getting through elementary school is not always easy, but when families, teachers, administration, and staff work together, the educational experience can be amazing for everyone. In this session we explore the benefits of sticking with your school even when the experience isn't perfect, and how to positively impact your child’s school and school experience. We will also discuss typical school challenges that arise during the elementary years and give you tips on how to manage them.  I

Do you have a young child and you are thinking about their college career? Or do you have a high schooler and you need to figure out the college application process quickly? Either way, this is the session for you. If you wonder how to determine which colleges are a good fit for your child, where to start in applying for financial aid and scholarships, and how to approach standardized tests like the ACT and SAT, NPN can help. In College Admissions 101, presented by Grace Lee Sawin of Chicag

Preparing for kindergarten can feel like a daunting task, and myths about the Illinois age cut-off abound. If you are wondering if your four year old or six year old can attend kindergarten, or if you want to know how to help your child prepare for kindergarten, this is the session for you. Our esteemed panelists will explain what teachers really want parents to know about kindergarten. We will also discuss the Illinois law around age cut off, answering all of your questions about this conf

Choosing the right Kindergarten for your child can be a daunting task, especially in Chicago where there are so many options. With so many different kindergarten philosophies, how do you know which philosophy works for you and your family?  In this session, we learn about various kindergarten philosophies. You will learn about arts-integrated, inquiry-based, responsive, and differentiated instruction, how they overlap, and where they differ. You will walk away from this discussion understan

Preschool is the place where children learn how to move through the world, navigate challenges, manage their feelings, and be a friend. Social-emotional skills follow children their entire lives and, after nearly two isolating pandemic years, they are more important than we’ve ever realized.  Finding a preschool that supports your child’s social-emotional growth is one of the most important investments you can make in your child's life. Our panelists, from some of Chicago's best preschools, shar

What is the difference between selective enrollment and choice programs?  How many different curriculum programs currently exist within CPS high schools? Should I consider an academic center?  How has the testing and application process changed?  Going beyond the basic information given at our popular CPS 101 and 201 seminars, CPS 301 covers CPS Selective Enrollment High Schools, Choice programs and much more. This CPS 301 session, presented by Grace Lee Sawin of Chicago School GPS, in

What is the difference between a classical and gifted school? What does the testing process involve? What can my child do to prepare? How do admissions work? How do I know if these programs are right for my child? Going beyond the basic information given at our popular CPS 101 seminars, CPS 201 covers CPS Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools (SEES). This CPS 201 Questions & Answers session, presented by Grace Lee Sawin of Chicago School GPS, includes:  - Guidance on the sel

What is a magnet school? What is your tier and why does it matter? Is there really an option for free, all-day preschool?  In this CPS 101 Questions & Answers session, Grace Lee Sawin of Chicago School GPS gives a short presentation that walks you through the recent updates to the preschool and elementary school application and admissions process. The rest of the time is dedicated to answering parent questions. Recorded 10/8/21 Find more in-depth CPS application info in the vi

Choosing childcare that is right for your family can seem like an overwhelming process, especially in Chicago where there are so many options to consider. In this intimate live discussion, we talk with three Chicago daycare experts about safety, curriculum, daily activities, enrollment/finances, family-teacher relationships and transitioning into group care comfortably.  Our esteemed panelists are Sarah Cudnik of Kids' Work Chicago and Kids' Work Chicago Too, Mia Cubrilo of Choo Choo Chicag

Preparing for preschool can seem like an overwhelming process. Although there are many different preschools in Chicago, there are some common elements to preschool that every parent needs to consider. In this intimate recorded live discussion, preschool experts will discuss the logistics of preschool and answer your questions.  You will walk away from this discussion knowing: 1. What to expect the first week of preschool  2. What to bring the first day, when to expect a phone call

Applying for Kindergarten can seem like an overwhelming process, especially in Chicago where there are so many amazing schools to consider. Although there are many different private schools in our city, there are common application elements and procedures across them all.  In this intimate recorded live discussion, elementary school experts discuss the Kindergarten application process and answer your questions, with a parent Q&A at the end.  This video should leave you with a better und

Starting preschool is a big deal for both parents and children. From separation anxiety to making new friends to learning new skills, there is a lot to consider and prepare for. Take this opportunity to learn from experts about how to make this a smooth and happy transition for everyone in your family.  Preschool experts will discuss how to prepare for the first day of preschool and beyond, how to handle separation anxiety and some things parents and children can look forward to during these spe

This webinar is for parents of students entering Chicago Public Schools in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade, and parents who are curious about the selection process in CPS. When Chicago Public Schools elementary school notifications come out, what does it all mean? Parents might receive multiple offers, one offer, no offers, and wait list numbers for their child. Join us for a chat about how to understand the notifications that you receive and how to handle multiple offers and wait lis

This NPN Live at Lunch panel series is a 30 minute elementary panel discussion followed by a 15 minute Q&A about what to look for in an elementary school. We hope that you will walk away from this discussion with three things:  *The ability to identify an organized, healthy school  *A better idea of what factors are most important to you in finding a good-fit school  *Some questions to ask to help you determine whether a school is a good fit for your family