Polaris Charter Academy

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Polaris Charter Academy

Where Learning Has No Boundaries... So what would it look like if an entire school was focused on this approach?

The mission of Polaris Charter Academy is to educate students to be self-motivated, creative, critical thinkers, with the ultimate goal of shaping life-long learners and citizens with a strong sense of personal and civic responsibility. While on sabbatical in the fall of 2005, three Golden Apple Award winning teachers identified the common thread of their best practices in teaching: learning by doing. Each founder had attributed their success in the classroom to a specific approach focused on participatory, hands-on, project-based learning and in-depth study of compelling topics. The vision of these award-winning teachers came to fruition when Polaris Charter Academy opening its doors in 2007 as the city’s first Expeditionary Learning school, a comprehensive educational reform model which grew out of a partnership between Harvard University and Outward Bound. PCA opened with grades K through 2nd and now serves 450 students in grades K through 8th. Polaris Charter Academy structures its sciences and social studies curriculum around “learning expeditions.” These in-depth investigations are different from traditional thematic units. Learning expeditions are long-term investigations spanning one or more trimesters that are developed around specific Illinois State Learning Standards. They related to real-world topics or concerns that make learning relevant to students’ lives. Learning expeditions provide a rigorous, stimulating educational experience that requires the application and mastery of a wide range of skills, including conducting research through interviews, surveys, books, and the internet. Students conduct fieldwork, learn from experts, work collaboratively and create authentic, high-quality end products for audiences beyond the classroom. Final products have been featured in the Chicago news, public libraries, organizational education programs, and more.

09/25/2026

Being named a Light Leader is the highest student honor at Polaris Charter Academy

Light Leaders are recognized for exceptional growth & leadership in one or more of our Points of Polaris: Integrity, Compassion, Explorer, Critical Thinker, & Active Citizen.

Today during Community Crew, our Middle School Light Leaders took part in a special ceremony, pledging to recommit themselves to leading, growing, & making a positive impact in our community.

We’re proud to celebrate these students as they continue being shining stars. 🌟

8th grade
🌟 London | Crew 207 | Triple Light Leader
🌟 Justice | Crew 204 | Double Light Leader

7th grade
🌟 Amaya | Crew 209 | Light Leader
🌟 Jarell | Crew 208

6th grade
🌟 AJ | Crew 307 | Light Leader

Illinois Network of Charter Schools West Humboldt Park Development Council Kelly Hall YMCA The Salvation Army Freedom Center Chicago Public Library WTTW - Chicago PBS WGN TV WGN Morning News Gourmet Gorilla Inc., Good Food for Kids Wintrust Chicago Public Schools

09/23/2026

DAY 20—POLARIS 20 for 20—WHY POLARIS WEDNESDAY

Twenty years ago, Polaris began with a belief: young people deserve a school where learning has no boundaries.
Over the past 20 days, we’ve seen what that belief has made possible—learning beyond classroom walls, meaningful work, powerful traditions, student leadership, alumni returning to give back, and young people carrying their voices onto national and international stages.

Author Paul Tough captured something special about Polaris in Helping Children Succeed, describing classrooms filled with discussion, collaboration, rigorous projects, critique, and revision. And after experiencing Polaris Charter Academy, he wrote: “WHEN YOU VISIT A SCHOOL LIKE POLARIS, IT IS HARD NOT TO FEEL HOPEFUL.”

That may be the best way to close this campaign: HOPEFUL.
Hopeful because of what our students have already accomplished. Hopeful because of the educators, families, alumni, partners, and supporters who continue to row together. And hopeful because the next 20 years hold possibilities we cannot yet imagine.

Give $20—Share with 20 people—Help us raise $20,000 in 20 days

DONATE TODAY: bit.ly/Polaris20for20

Twenty years. One Crew. Endless possibilities. Will you row with us?

ELEducation Illinois Network of Charter Schools West Humboldt Park Development Council Kelly Hall YMCA Kells Park Community Council The Salvation Army Freedom Center Breakthrough Urban Ministries Chicago Public Schools Chicago Public Library WGN Morning News WGN TV WTTW - Chicago PBS WBEZ Chicago Sun-Times

09/22/2026

DAY 19—POLARIS 20 for 20—TRADITION TUESDAY

In 2013, Polaris students launched Our Day in May, a student-led neighborhood rally for peace grounded in a simple but powerful belief: young people can help create a better world.

What began on Chicago’s West Side grew beyond Polaris Charter Academy and inspired Better World Week, now celebrated by ELEducation schools across the country through student-led action and service.

That is the power of student agency: when young people are trusted to lead, one idea can grow into a movement.

Give $20—Share with 20 people—Help us raise $20,000 in 20 days

DONATE TODAY: bit.ly/Polaris20for20

Twenty years. One Crew. Endless possibilities. Will you row with us?

Illinois Network of Charter Schools West Humboldt Park Development Council Kelly Hall YMCA Breakthrough Urban Ministries The Salvation Army Freedom Center Kells Park Community Council WGN Morning News WGN TV WTTW - Chicago PBS WBEZ Chicago Sun-Times

09/21/2026

DAY 18—POLARIS 20 for 20—MEMORY MONDAY

Polaris students don’t just create meaningful work. They learn to use their voices to move ideas beyond the classroom.
Over the years, Polaris Charter Academy students have delivered 11 national and international presentations and keynote addresses, sharing their learning with educators, leaders, and audiences far beyond Chicago.

From the West Side to national and international stages, our students have learned that their ideas matter, their experiences carry power, and their voices belong in conversations that can shape the future.

Give $20—Share with 20 people—Help us raise $20,000 in 20 days

DONATE TODAY: bit.ly/Polaris20for20

Twenty years. One Crew. Endless possibilities. Will you row with us?

ELEducation Illinois Network of Charter Schools Chicago Public Library Chicago Public Schools West Humboldt Park Development Council Kelly Hall YMCA The Salvation Army Freedom Center Kells Park Community Council Breakthrough Urban Ministries WGN Morning News WTTW - Chicago PBS WGN TV WBEZ Chicago Sun-Times

09/20/2026

DAY 17—POLARIS 20 for 20—SITEWORK SUNDAY

At Polaris, sitework connects learning to the real issues shaping our communities.

While investigating water quality and environmental justice, students learned alongside experts at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, examining how access to clean, safe water is connected to science, infrastructure, public policy, and equity.

They then turned their research into the Polaris Charter Academy Water Quality Report—using evidence and their own voices to inform others and advocate for a more just future.

That is what learning without boundaries looks like: exploring real issues, building knowledge and agency, and using both to help create a better world.

https://www.eleducation.org/resources/chicago-water-quality-report/

Give $20—Share with 20 people—Help us raise $20,000 in 20 days

DONATE TODAY: bit.ly/Polaris20for20

Twenty years. One Crew. Endless possibilities. Will you row with us?

ELEducation Illinois Network of Charter Schools West Humboldt Park Development Council Kelly Hall YMCA Kells Park Community Council The Salvation Army Freedom Center City of Chicago – Government Breakthrough Urban Ministries Wintrust Gourmet Gorilla Inc., Good Food for Kids WGN TV WGN Morning News WTTW - Chicago PBS

09/19/2026

DAY 16—POLARIS 20 for 20—SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY

Polaris has never done this work alone.

Organizations including the Black Ensemble Theater, Uniting Voices Chicago, Chicago Training Center, 345 Art Gallery, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, and Lyric Opera of Chicago have helped expand what and where our students can learn.

Twenty years of Polaris Charter Academy is also a story of partnerships—and of a larger community willing to invest its time, talent, and belief in young people.

Give $20—Share with 20 people—Help us raise $20,000 in 20 days

DONATE TODAY: bit.ly/Polaris20for20

Twenty years. One Crew. Endless possibilities. Will you row with us?

Illinois Network of Charter Schools West Humboldt Park Development Council Kelly Hall YMCA The Salvation Army Freedom Center ELEducation Breakthrough Urban Ministries Chicago Public Library Chicago Public Schools

09/18/2026

DAY 15—POLARIS 20 for 20—FRIDAY FACTS

Did you know hundreds of educators visit Polaris Charter Academy each year to learn from our work?

They come to see innovative practices in action, learn alongside our students and staff, and bring new ideas back to their own schools and communities.

For 20 years, Polaris has been a north star to learn what’s possible—and carry it forward as Crew.

Give $20—Share with 20 people—Help us raise $20,000 in 20 days

DONATE TODAY: bit.ly/Polaris20for20

Twenty years. One Crew. Endless possibilities. Will you row with us?

Illinois Network of Charter Schools ELEducation West Humboldt Park Development Council Kelly Hall YMCA The Salvation Army Freedom Center Building Hope WGN Morning News WGN TV WTTW - Chicago PBS Chicago Public Library Gourmet Gorilla Inc., Good Food for Kids Breakthrough Urban Ministries Chicago Public Schools

09/17/2026

DAY 14—POLARIS 20 for 20—THROWBACK THURSDAY
Polaris graduates carry more than academics with them.

As alum Ameera Rollings reflected, the purpose of school is not simply to “get smart,” but to become a better person and contribute to a better world.

That idea captures something essential about Polaris Charter Academy: learning matters most when you use it for something larger than yourself.

Give $20—Share with 20 people—Help us raise $20,000 in 20 days

DONATE TODAY: bit.ly/Polaris20for20

Twenty years. One Crew. Endless possibilities. Will you row with us?

ELEducation Illinois Network of Charter Schools West Humboldt Park Development Council Kelly Hall YMCA The Salvation Army Freedom Center Breakthrough Urban Ministries Gourmet Gorilla Inc., Good Food for Kids Wintrust Chicago Public Library

09/16/2026

DAY 13—POLARIS 20 for 20—WHY POLARIS WEDNESDAY

Polaris students leave eighth grade ready for their next chapter.

100% of Polaris Charter Academy graduates attend a high school of choice.

That number matters because behind it are individual young people who have learned to challenge themselves, make decisions about their futures, and step confidently into new opportunities.

Give $20—Share with 20 people—Help us raise $20,000 in 20 days

DONATE TODAY: bit.ly/Polaris20for20

Twenty years. One Crew. Endless possibilities. Will you row with us?

Illinois Network of Charter Schools Trinity High School West Humboldt Park Development Council ELEducation Breakthrough Urban Ministries Kells Park Community Council The Salvation Army Freedom Center Kelly Hall YMCA Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund Building Hope Building Hope WTTW - Chicago PBS Chicago Public Library Chicago Public Schools WGN Morning News WGN TV

09/15/2026

DAY 12—POLARIS 20 for 20—TRADITION TUESDAY

By eighth grade, Polaris Charter Academy students have spent years learning, exploring, reflecting, creating, and growing together as Crew.

The eighth-grade retreat, leadership shirt ceremony, handprints on the walls, and the walk down Sawyer Avenue mark more than the end of middle school.

They celebrate a journey—and the moment students prepare to carry what they have learned at Polaris into what comes next.

Give $20—Share with 20 people—Help us raise $20,000 in 20 days

DONATE TODAY: bit.ly/Polaris20for20

Twenty years. One Crew. Endless possibilities. Will you row with us?

Illinois Network of Charter Schools West Humboldt Park Development Council Kelly Hall YMCA Kells Park Community Council The Salvation Army Freedom Center Chicago Public Schools Chicago Public Library Hope Ignites Chicago Building Hope ELEducation Gourmet Gorilla Inc., Good Food for Kids Breakthrough Urban Ministries

Address

620 N Sawyer Avenue
Chicago, IL
60624

Website

http://www.pcachicago.org/

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