An education at the WIllard School goes quite a bit further than the usual reading, writing and arithmetic. The philosophy here is to educate the student as a whole person, which means not only aiding the child's cognitive development, but their social and emotional development as well. Willard provides a strong educational foundation for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Boocoo is a cultural center with a mission to cultivate creativity within the Evanston community. Giant, colorful murals of musicians and artists adorn the exterior walls leading to the community garden in the rear of the building. All produce from the organic garden is used in the Boocoo cafe and is also sold across the street at the West End Market on Saturday mornings. Boocoo provides the opportunity for continual development in education, visual arts, gardening and music. A recording studio is available to music students. Boocoo hopes to provide scholarships to its artists someday and welcomes donations from the community.
The Halstead School of Portrait and Figure Art offers painting and drawing classes and workshops focusing on the human figure for individuals of all artistic skill levels. The school was founded by portrait artist Richard Halstead. He frequently does commissioned work and his art has appeared at the National Portrait Gallery and the Hall of Governers in the Illinois State Capitol.
Northwestern University was founded 1851. The Development Deapartment is in charge of Northwestern's alumni relations and marketing. When students graduate from Northwestern University, the development department keeps in touch with them to keep them up to speed about alumni opportunities and benefits. The department also has a hand in advertising Northwestern University to attract new students.
Supported by a grant from the US Department of Transportation, the mission of the Northwestern University Technological Institute is to develop capacity, condition, and performance of highway, railroad and mass transit systems in the US. Operating side by side with the Transportation department on campus, the Tech Institute applies its theoretical knowledge to practical applications. Of particular interest to the department is the state of the nation's infrastructure and solutions that can be applied to that issue.
Founded by Lois Lloyd, the founder of the local northern suburban SHORE group, the Covenant Nursery School has been serving Evanston almost as long as her other organization. For more than 55 years, this not-for-profit school has been educating toddlers and infants from two to five years old. Although the school mostly offers half-day education and care, there are extended care programs as well as summer programs. The school is not strongly religious, but it's non-sectarian, so there is a religious element.
Owned and operated by Mary Ellen Langlois and Dorota Zak, the Chinese Cultural Academy offers Tai Chi Chuan classes to the general public. The school is dedicated to teaching Evanston about the Chinese culture.
The only independent music school in Illinois, the Music Institute of Chicago is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. At its West Evanston location, the Music Institute of Chicago Institute for Therapy through the Arts sets itself apart from other music schools by providing exceptional faculty and non-discriminatory musical instruction. People of all ages and abilities are welcome to attend classes and therapies at the Music Institute. The Evanston-West campus contains the school's musical theater program and the 160-seat Dempster Street Theater, as well as rehearsal rooms, scene shop and lighting and rehearsal booths. This campus is also home to the Institute's Therapy Through the Arts program, which aids those with psychological needs, developmental delays and physical challenges.
Verhoog Piano Institute is an intensive music program with a neuroscience focus. Students aged nine to 13 can participate in the intensive program, where up to four years of piano can be learned in only nine months. In this program, advancement is made possible by students being aware of their entire bodies and brain. The second part of the program focuses on students of all ages who have brain damage, teaching them to think in new ways. Students play by ear, and also improvise music in the style of the composer they are studying. Owner Joann Verhoog has been teaching the accelerated learning program since 1980.