Chicago Public Schools Celebrates New Building for Lincoln Park Early Learning Center

CHICAGO – Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and community leaders celebrated the opening of a stand-alone early learning center in Lincoln Park at an event today (Friday) with students, families, and staff. The Lincoln Park Early Learning Center, which has the capacity to serve up to 200 children, was established in 2022, to address an ongoing need for early childhood care options in the neighborhood. The new facility is the latest addition to CPS’ intentional expansion of early learning programs in all 77 neighborhoods by the 2024-25 school year, beginning first on the South and West sides of the city.

“It is an exciting time for our Chicago families as we make intentional investments in early childhood education to serve all four-year-olds in the city in collaboration with our community-based partners,” said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. “Strong early childhood programming is critical to improving outcomes for children and families and we’re grateful to see parents across the city take advantage of these expanded offerings.”

The school boasts 10 classrooms, each with walls of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Lincoln Park's Farm-in-the-Zoo. Each room has a reading corner with colors inspired by Lincoln Park's pond. The school also includes a playground in the learning center’s shared plaza, student drop-off lane on Lincoln Avenue, and a multipurpose room.

“Lincoln Park Early Learning Center is rooted in our community and we are dedicated to involving all students, parents, staff, and District and community partners in building our shared dream school,” said Lincoln Park Early Learning Center Principal Bryan Quinlan. “Our new building allows us to welcome more families and, perhaps more importantly, our students will continue to benefit from our unique partnership with the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Green City Market, and the Lincoln Park Zoo.”