School Overview

Josephine C. Locke Elementary School, located in Chicago's Montclare neighborhood, is a community-centered institution with a rich cultural heritage while offering both the PYP (Prek-5th) and MYP (6th-8th) International Baccalaureate Programs. Serving generations of families, the school’s demographics have remained stable, with 85% of students being Hispanic, 10% White, 3% Black, 1% Asian, and 1% of mixed race. At Locke, an IB education nurtures global citizenship, respect for diversity, and personal growth through a curriculum that fosters inquiry, action, and reflection. Rigorous, conceptual units of study encourage students to explore meaningful questions, take action in their communities, and reflect on their learning. Our adoption of Skyline supports this end. We celebrate students’ identities with culturally relevant content and events offering “mirrors and windows” into various perspectives. Each student’s unique needs are met through proactive, individualized supports. Our bilingual and ESL programs support English language learners and provide pathways for Spanish language acquisition, enhancing intercultural communication. Students also participate in the Student Advisory Committee, giving them a voice in school decisions. Weekly social-emotional curriculums, Second Step (K-5) and Success Bound (6-8), that build well-being and learner profile development Our ROAAAR values—responsibility, open- mindedness, adaptability, accountability, agency, and respect—shape a positive school culture. Families and the community actively participate in numerous cherished annual events, such as the Back to School Bash, Winter Wonderland, Humanities Fair, Science Fair, Art Fair, International Day, Literacy Night, and the End of Year Blast. Beyond these events, Locke offers diverse extracurricular opportunities, including athletic programs, band, music, National Junior Honor Society, Green Team, Art, Media News, Chess, and dance. The school prioritizes recognizing and nurturing each student's unique talents and strengths. Through strong partnerships with the community and a passionate staff, Locke prepares students to succeed academically and grow as global citizens, ensuring they are educated for a better world.