Spectrum has been an incredible elementary experience for my son. The teachers and admins performed miracles against all odds to keep everyone healthy and safe, with the school staying open and kids learning and loving every minute throughout the pandemic. My son loves everything about going to school, and myself, as a parent, couldn't be luckier for his care and attention while he thrives in return!
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Spectrum leaves an imprint on every student that turns them into a lifelong lover of learning. It brings together community, parents, teachers, and students in a collaborative environment that is so much more rewarding than the everyday grind of public school. Send your kids here!
Excellent school. From the principal to the teacher, everyone is on board to make these kids develop a lifelong love of learning. The school maintains a low student to teacher ratio that takes learning outside the education-industrial complex.
My son Jonathan was delivered early due to my pre-eclampsia. He weighed only 4 lbs. He had difficulties with both large and small motor functions, therefore writing and reading were very hard for him. He struggled with coordination in physical activities. Because of Spectrum's focus on the child and their multi-age classrooms, he was able to mature and learn at his own pace. He never felt like he couldn't achieve success. He didn't feel like a failure. He loved learning and he loved school. Today he has his doctoral degree and is a college professor. And I am forever grateful to Spectrum Progressive School!
Both my boys attended Spectrum School from age 3 until they graduated 8th grade. I initially chose Spectrum because of the low student to teacher ratios. Coming from a family of educators I knew that was of great value. As my sons progressed through school I learned the other values of progressive education. My boys were very different. As they say, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Well one of my boys was a squeaky wheel while the other was very reserved. The teachers learned about my children and modified there interactions accordingly. The squeaky wheel learned restraint and what is appropriate. My non squeaky wheel was brought out of his shell and given tools to develop his self confidence. I see the results of a Spectrum Education in my boys every day, their inquisitiveness, their curiosity, their global perspective, their problem solving abilities and their sense of social responsibility. I believe Spectrum to be the top private school in Rockford.
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Both my sons attended Spectrum from 3rd to 8th grade graduation. I chose the school because of the low parent/teacher ratios but Spectrum is much more than that. The philosophy and teachers at Spectrum grow your child in many addition ways. They foster individualism, curiosity, a knowledge of HOW to learn, a desire to continue learning beyond the requirements of class, the ability to form opinions and the ability to express those opinions to others in both small and large settings. I see Spectrum every day in my boys. I am so thankful that they were able to attend. For the record, one son is 21, finishing his last semester at University of Minnesota, majored in Political Science and minored in Business Management and has been extended a job offer from one of the top consultancies in the country. The other son is 16, a junior in high school, an active debater, qualified for Nationals freshman and sophomore year, won several tournaments and top speaker awards and is rated 3rd in the state by the national debate organization. And they are both a joy to be around, articulate, compassionate, wanting to make a difference. That's what Spectrum did for my kids.
My oldest has been attending Spectrum for the past 5 years, and my youngest will start preschool there in the fall.
We have been continually impressed with the teachers and staff at Spectrum, and have seen the results of their whole-child approach to education. Lessons are interdisciplinary as a matter of course, and the curriculum and teaching system allow for flexibility in topics. Many different leaning styled are incorporated, too, so every student has a chance to find their best way to learn.
My daughter started the year at Spectrum and she loves going there so much that was crying last Saturday because school is over. Teachers and staff are caring and patience. You can tell they love what they do. Thanks Spectrum for being so awesome with my little miss D.
Our journey started five years ago. We had a three year old we wanted to enroll in preschool, so we set up tour dates with three schools. Spectrum was our second school to visit, after the tour, sitting in the car still in the parking lot, we looked at each other and said this is it! we didn't tour the third school, we felt like Spectrum was going to be the right fit. We couldn't be happier with our choice, I cannot say enough good things about Spectrum. It's so much more than words, it's a feeling... Spectrum is a feeling
We have loved having our children at this school. They are learning to be amazing problem solvers who celebrate the process of learning as much as the outcome. It's a small school with a giant heart that puts the child's needs first.
We came to Spectrum several years ago. Our oldest started preschool at a public school but it wasn't working out. She has some unique need that clearly were not going to be meet there. Everyday she would come home crying and only talk about the bully in her class. After the visit day with Spectrum we knew we were enrolling her. She came home smiling and talking about everything they did. We have never looked back. Now we have 2 kids going to Spectrum. Both are thriving not only academically but they also receive emotional support and guidance. I have seen their confidence grow as they ventured into music. We love the community partnerships and inclusivity the school has built. The cultural emersion program has been amazing and being able to host the students from China this winter forever changed our lives.
I can't possibly say enough great things about Spectrum for all they've done for our kids! This school goes above and beyond to make learning exciting, include and reach all children where they are, and foster independence, creativity, and lifelong learners. Our kids love school and excel at Spectrum. I can't imagine them anywhere else!
I've worked for Chicago Public Schools for almost 10 years. The way things are done at Spectrum School of Rockford aren't just your cookie-cutter classes and schedule. Instead of just throwing information at the students, they find out what interests them, and lets them run with it. Of course, the basic skills are still taught (and needed), but they are applied to real world scenarios, not just words/numbers on a page. Not only are these students getting prepared for high school, but they are getting prepared for the real world that they will be dealing with in a handful of years as a young adult. And with smaller classroom sizes, they'll get a more personalized learning experience than your traditional public school.
They are committed to making learning and coming to school fun again, something that I feel has been lacking in this world for quite some time. Their only issue is funding! Hopefully, some donors out there that see this will consider giving to a school where teachers and students alike are trying to make a difference in this community and in this world, not just pass a class and move on.
When it was time to select a school for our grandson, Xander his parents explored Spectrum. His mother developed strong good feelings when she attended events held by Spectrum with a friend.
His first year has been that of enjoying school which is important in developing a love of learning that will last a life time. He is showing an interest in reading, sharing what he has learn, and attending their Compass program.
When area parents are seeking an educational program for their children or grandchildren Spectrum School should be a must. Contact the school at 815.877.1600 to request a visit.
I was invited to read to Xander's class.
Carl Pearson
This is our family's first year at Spectrum and we couldn't be more pleased. Sprectrum Progressive School is an amazing learning environment that also focuses on experiences, inclusivity, and the arts beyond your standard curriculums.
My daughter began reading at 3. By 5 years old she was reading chapter books and by 7 she had read the whole Harry Potter series. Her thirst for knowledge was insatiable. Although she loved academics and learning, she did not love school. We wanted her to be challenged and to grow, but also love the process of learning and be a life-long pursuer of knowledge intellectually and through experience. Spectrum School not only changed her attitude towards school, but they encouraged her in ways only Spectrum can. Through an in-depth discovery interest group at 11 years old Cassie discovered the love of film-making. They encouraged this interest and allowed her to engage this love not just as an extra-curricular activity, but as a genuine academic interest with career opportunities. At the age of 21 she won her first major film awards and continues to be an award winning film-maker today. Even as a busy career woman, she feeds a desire for knowledge through fiction and non-fiction, podcasts, and independent research because of the love for learning that Spectrum instilled in her soul.
Spectrum has been a great school for our children. We enjoy the creativity fostered in all aspects of learning at the school. The focus is all on the students, and is customized to their needs.
My daughter started at Spectrum at age 4. At the time I remembered thinking, she loves to learn and I wanted that to continue. My daughter is very bright and keeping up with her academically can be quite a challenge but at Spectrum this was made to look easy. The individual attention and the amazing teachers integrate learning so all students, at all levels progress at their own rate even when individual students are strong in some subjects and weaker in others.
The Spectrum atmosphere is nothing short of a close family. My daughter looked forward to going to school everyday and wanted to join her friends for activities whenever she could. As parents we felt welcomed and a part of the Spectrum community. Staff, teachers and parents all became friends and we loved joining in Spectrum activities as a family.
I can't say enough good about our time at Spectrum. My daughter has now graduated from high school and still loves to learn. She still credits Spectrum with giving her that desire to to learn beyond simply answering questions on a test. We see an intelligent, well read, thoughtful young woman who is ready to take on the world. Spectrum was a wonderful investment that will pay her dividends through out her life.
We moved from New York and are so thankful to have found Spectrum School for our children. The individualized, hands-on learning experiences are so valuable, and the teachers are amazing. Spectrum’s Nature Preschool is such a unique and wonderful introduction to learning through the beautiful outdoors. I wish I had a “Spectrum School” when I was growing up!
My son really flourished in a progressive school environment. The 10:1 student to teacher ratio, the combined classes as well as the project based learning really helped my son become the successful self starter and problem solver and college student he is now. Spectrum School taught my son how to think, how to be curious and ask questions, how to work with others and especially how to believe in yourself as a person. Thank you Spectrum for all you are doing to offer such an advanced environment for learning.
I am a current board member and my son graduated 8th grade earlier this year, in May 2018. He attended Spectrum School from Preschool until his graduation. He loved going to school! Everyday was something new and exciting to look forward to. He was very involved in his own learning and developed life-long skills that are benefiting him greatly now as he embarks on the high school years! He is comfortable in his own skin and is confident talking to teachers and getting up in front of a crowd. All these wonderful traits I attribute to his years at Spectrum! We loved our time at Spectrum School and as a board member, I am working hard to ensure the learning style and environment of Spectrum will be experienced by many more kids for many more years to come!
Spectrum School has been one of the best choices our family has made for educating our daughter. At Spectrum School we have experienced excellent, caring teachers in an environment that truly encourages authentic learning. Our child has developed an ownership of her learning which I am confident will benefit her greatly in her life. The Principal and faculty make this school a non-profit to be proud of in our community.
Spectrum School is a place where each child is nurtured and loved into a healthy, kind, and creative person. The philosophy is not new and pulls from the pillars of educational pedagogy, and yet the methods of engaging children remain committed to meeting the needs of 21st century learners. Children are grouped in classrooms according to developmentally appropriate needs, and the stress of academic competitiveness that leaves so many children behind is replaced with a commitment to making sure each child has the resiliency to meet the tasks that challenge them. Children at Spectrum School get to spend time outside in nature, take lots of field trips, sing songs, do dances, and sometimes make messes all while learning.
The middle school students are met with new challenges including: working in their communities, building relationships with mentors in the fields in which they are interested, and developing critical media literacy skills. Students leave not only high school ready, but ahead of their peers in their exposure to real world professional skills, capacity to be in more complex relationship with adults, and awareness of what potential paths to success look like for them personally.
If you live in the Rockford area and want your child to love learning, send your child to Spectrum School.
I have been both a teacher and parent at Spectrum for 40 years. My children received an extraordinary elementary education. They are who they are, 35 and 32 years old, because of Spectrum. They are well rounded problem solvers who are life long learners. I am honored to claim that I am a Spectrum teacher as well. The staff has always put the children’s needs first.
Spectrum Progressive School provides a unique educational opportunity for each child attending this pre-school through eighth grade setting. The school, built on the progressive educational model by John Dewey and Jean Piaget, has remained true to progressive education for 50 years. Located near a 2- acre restored prairie near the Rockford University campus, Spectrum offers a chance for students to explore the natural world. They also often partner with the university's fine arts and sports department to offer enhanced resources. I first discovered Spectrum School while exploring job opportunities as an independent educational contractor. While I have worked within many different schools settings, I have never visited a school that provides such a unique and balanced learning environment for each student. Spectrum also fosters growth for every staff member by providing ongoing professional development. Everyone at Spectrum grows . It's truly a special place !
My daughter can be shy and an observer by nature so starting preschool was a bit daunting. Since starting at Spectrum she has looked forward to school every day, has made friends she talks about all the time, and her teachers talk about how confident she is in the classroom! We love the child centered environment and how much of a community the school creates. Just walking onto the campus everyone you walk by - from staff to parents - says hello and is super welcoming! We can't wait to continue to watch her grow in such an individualized and holistic environment!
I cannot recommend Spectrum School enough.
The attention to detail, and focus each kid receives in so individualized that it boggles my mind a little bit. The teachers and staff are outstanding, and I see the results in my son every single day. It is well worth the tuition.
Over the last 24 years I've visited and worked with many schools and students. I've seen a lot of good programs. It's the great programs that are far and few between. I found a great program in Spectrum School. When I visited I found students and teachers engaged in spirited learning. Creativity and critical thinking was embedded in all of the activities. Students were encouraged to talk about their interest and the teachers would build learning opportunities from those interests. Students were being encouraged to think for themselves, to think outside of the box, and to challenge accepted thought. I valued what I saw at Spectrum School so much that I sent my daughter there. I've seen such growth academically, socially, and personally in her since attending the school. School excites her while challenging her. She is encouraged to be herself and to discover who she wants to be. Spectrum School continues to be a great school with an amazing program. I can't thank the teachers and administration enough. Truly spectacular!
The learning experience at Spectrum is second to none. Our children have advanced greatly by being a part of a progressive curriculum with a low student to teacher ratio. We are very thankful for the dedicated staff.
Spectrum has been doing for decades what other districts consider "innovative." Flexible seating, multi-age classrooms, multi-modal assessment, student-driven learning, project based learning, experiential education.
The school is simply amazing.
After teaching in public schools for 12 years, I went looking for a place that would allow me to individualize learning for each student without fighting against standardized testing, rigid schedules, meaningless work, and discipline issues. I found that place in Spectrum School. My two children have attended since preschool and have received innumerable benefits as a result. They are treated as individuals while also learning how to function as a part of a community. They are given the freedom to pursue their passions while also participating in rigorous activities to challenge them academically.
Around 40 years ago I was looking for a pre-school to send my son to and my neighbor suggested Spectrum School. We went to visit and it felt like home - the students, the teachers, the volunteers were warm and welcoming, the students were actually enjoying learning and happy to be there. My son stayed through elementary school. My second son, born 10 years later, went to Spectrum through middle school as a middle school program had been added.
Both sons say Spectrum was the defining experience that made them the thinkers and the scholars that they became. I was inspired by Spectrum to return to Graduate School and become a learning specialist. I am still, all these years later, in awe of this wonderful school in our midst.