Our vision is to foster innovative thinking through STEM teaching and learning, a passion for inquiry, anad a compassion for others so we can enrich our world.

We empower students to think critically, reflectively, and apply their knowledge and skills to a greater context. Students experience unique opportunities for STEM education with rigorous and relevant hands-on investigations through inquiry-based instruction, integrated curriculum, and collaboration.

We are pleased to have a supportive and highly active PTA. The work of the PTA has been to support our teachers and students in providing the best learning environment possible. The PTA membership has been responsible for many contributions, including Family Nights, monetary contributions to teachers for learning activities, and a STEM Open House.

Students follow the Booker T. Washington Three: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Ready. Those rules are posted in all areas and the staff works collaboratively to keep standards high for behavioral and academic performance. We believe in teaching behavioral expectations and have implemented a school-wide community circle time that lends itself to this instruction.

All Booker T. Washington students receive weekly enrichment opportunities available in the school's STEM Lab. This learning is supported through a STEM Instructional Specialist as well as existing community partnerships with the University of Illinois and others. Additionally, all 3rd through 5th grade students receive weekly enrichment lessons that are aligned to the common core standards and designed to strengthen students' self-identity with activities centered on citizenship, leadership, decision-making, and multiculturalism. These lessons employ a variety of engaging learning strategies with the goal of deepening student's understanding of themselves and the world around them.

• Integrated curriculum focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

• Strong emphasis on Music and Art Education

• A working partnership with the University of Illinois

• Inquiry-based learning promoting student engagement and critical thinking

• A new building designed for STEM instruction

• Student practice in real world problem solving following the BTW Science and Engineering Design Process Model

• Technology-rich classrooms including both PC and Apple platforms

• Student engagement in the analytical process found in engineering and mathematics

• Teachers specially trained in STEM education

• A STEM Teaching Specialist collaborating and co-teaching with classroom teachers and University of Illinois faculty and students to design innovative STEM Lab lessons

• Students learning in a collaborate atmosphere

• Student opportunities to produce multimedia presentations that utilize state-of-the-art technology

• 2018 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and
  Science Teaching Finalist: Kevin Frederick

• 2015 Magnet School of Excellence

• 2015 ISTA New Science Teacher of the Year: Kevin Frederick

• 2014 Illinois Social Worker of the Year: Heidi Grove

• 2013 James D. MacConnell Award for the Council of Educational Facility Planners International

• 2013 ISBE Those Who Excel Awards: Alyssa Mayer, Unit 4 Magnet Team

• 2013 ISTA New Science Teacher fo the Year: Elizabeth Dabrowski

• 2012-13 Presentations at National Conferences: Illinois Science Teachers' Association, National Science Teachers of America STEM Expo, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and Magnet Schools of America