Polaris Charter Academy

Polaris Charter Academy is a k-8 school in the west humboldt park neighborhood of chicago. Polaris is a recognized leader in a rigorous and engaging approach to teaching and learning. As an el education credentialed mentor school, Polaris students engage in learning expeditions that tie standards to meaningful work focused on finding complex solutions to real world problems around issues of social justice. Polaris Charter Academy has had a broad impact on national and international education. Polaris students have given the keynote address at both the el education national conference and the hewlett foundation's deeper learning conference. Teachers and administrators have presented their work both nationally and internationally to thousands of educators. Polaris is featured as an exemplary school model in paul tough's book helping children succeed, and Polaris student work is featured in the harvard graduate school of education's online archive "models of excellence". Polaris Charter Academy is a level 1 school where 8th grade graduates successfully transition to top high schools around the city.