Principal's Message
Alexander Graham Elementary School services the neighborhoods of Canaryville and Fuller Park which has an ethnically diverse student population of Hispanic, African American and Caucasian. Nearly 600 children, ranging in age from Pre-Kindergarten to eighth grades, are being educated in our main building and annex building. The Pre- K through fifth grades uses the self-contained classroom model. The program for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students is a departmentalized model that better prepares adolescents for their high school experience. Children with special needs are served in appropriate ways in self- contained special education classes, by resource, and in general education classrooms. To further support student needs, Alexander Graham’s case manager, social worker, psychologist, and nurse coordinate services within and outside the school for students and their families.
Additionally, Alexander Graham School offers a transitional ESL bilingual program. Graham also offers mathematics and science instruction to students through the Chicago Public School Magnet Cluster Program. Our curriculum uses the CMSI mathematics and science materials, which our teachers attend professional development to implement. Our eighth graders ready for high school Algebra will be take a placement exam to proceed to Geometry as freshman. Graham School is in the Cluster 4 Middle Grades Project which supports teachers with additional course work and students with organization through high school readiness through the AVID program. Our primary teachers have been trained in using the Dibels assessment, as well as, best practiced research-based strategies through the Reading First Grant.
The facilities provided at Alexander Graham School encourage students to go beyond text book learning. A computer lab and library in each building with Internet access provide hands-on experiences to complement classroom learning. In addition, all classrooms have wireless Internet connection. In the fine arts domain, Alexander Graham School provides all students with music instruction and the opportunity to receive individual lessons from instructors with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra as well. The After School All Stars program supports physical recreation such as basketball as well as arts and crafts activities for students. In addition, teachers work independently and in groups to obtain extras for their students through grants. Special performances, materials, visits from zoos and museums and cross-school activities are some of the opportunities which teachers have provided for their students through grant writing.
This website is designed to help students get the most out of their years at Alexander Graham. Inside you will find information that will be helpful in getting off to a good start. We realize the importance of developing in each child an attitude of self-respect and self-worth. Parents, we feel, are partners in the important job of educating the children of this community. We welcome your suggestions and solicit your participation in the monthly Local School Council, NCLB and in the Bilingual Advisory Committee meetings. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to call the school at 535-1308. Working together, we can make Alexander Graham the best school it can possibly be.