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Pulaski International School of Chicago

United States, Chicago

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 4 - 14 years
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (MYP)
Taught languages Spanish
Strengths Performing Arts, Languages, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Academic and Intellectual
Stages Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School
Introduction

Pulaski International School of Chicago is a public International Baccalaureate World School within Chicago Public Schools, serving students ages 4 to 14. It offers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) with English as the language of instruction. The curriculum includes Math, Performing Arts, Physical and Health Education, MYP Design, and Spanish Language Acquisition, delivered through project-based instruction, differentiated teaching, with biliteracy and cross-cultural understanding. Language teachers provide weekly updates to families. A distinctive feature is the Regional Gifted Center for English Language Learners, with Spanish as the primary language and English language support, delivering accelerated reading and math while aligning with the IB framework for all students. The Biliteracy Seal is supported through an associated exam. The arts program covers Art, Music, and Design, and field trips extend learning across disciplines. The school emphasizes social-emotional learning within a bilingual, cross-cultural environment.

2230 W McLean Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States

The Essentials

Pulaski International School of Chicago has instruction in English, Spanish.

Location

Pulaski International School of Chicago is located at 2230 West McLean Ave, Chicago, IL 60647. It is within the Chicago Public Schools system. The school serves preschool through eighth grade. It is an International Baccalaureate World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PreK–5) and the Middle Years Programme (6–8).

Stages

PreK–5 (IB Primary Years Programme) and 6–8 (IB Middle Years Programme); overall levels from preschool to eighth grade.

Type

Public (Chicago Public Schools) International Baccalaureate World School

Additional learning support

Regional Gifted Center for English Language Learners provides accelerated and enriched academic curriculum with instruction in English and Spanish; Pulaski is home to one of the city's RGC-ELs.

School day structure

School hours are 8:45 AM to 3:45 PM. The school operates on a six-day rotation schedule (2023–24 Semester 1).

Fees
Application fees
- There is no application fee to enroll at Pulaski International School of Chicago for neighborhood, lottery, or Regional Gifted for EL program applications.

Tuition fees by year group
- Pulaski International School of Chicago is a Chicago Public School (K–8). There is no tuition charged for enrollment in the school for resident students.

Per-student school fees and classroom/technology fees (published amounts)
- Annual school fee: USD 150 per student (K–8) for the 2025–2026 school year, payable at the start of the school year. This fee is used for agendas, classroom instructional materials, subscriptions, technology repairs, recess equipment, and to support field trip fees for students who need assistance. All school fees are collected via the district e-pay system.
- 5th–8th grade technology fee: USD 50 for students issued a school Chromebook. This technology fee covers repair costs for accidental damage; replacement-cost examples cited by the school include an AC power adapter USD 25, screen USD 50, battery USD 25, and a full Chromebook replacement USD 250.

Optional program fees and recurring charges
- Before- and After‑School Care (optional, vendor-run): Apollo After School operates the on-site before/aftercare program and publishes monthly fees (example 2025–2026 rates shown below):
- Before & After Care (BC&AC) for K–8, 5 days: USD 429.00 / month.
- After Care (AC) for K–8, 5 days: USD 317.00 / month.
- Before Care (BC) for K–8, 5 days: USD 135.00 / month.
- PK-specific BC&AC and AC monthly rates are higher (examples listed on the Apollo site).
- Apollo also charges a one‑time registration fee ($25 early registration; $50 after the early period) and applies late‑pickup fees and other program-specific charges as described in their parent handbook/FAQ.
- Field trips and some extracurricular activities: the school may request additional, event‑specific fees for field trips or paid extracurriculars; families are asked to return consent and payment when trips are scheduled. If a family cannot afford a requested fee, the school asks that parents notify the teacher or main office (the annual school fee helps underwrite some needs-based support).
- School supplies and grade-level supply lists: families are expected to provide items on printed supply lists for each grade; some standard items are funded through the school fee but additional personal supplies are the family's responsibility.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- School fee billing: the published schedule for the 2025–2026 year shows the school fee to be paid by September 15 (payment collected at start of school year). The school allows families who cannot meet the deadline to make special arrangements with the main office. All school fees are paid through the Illinois e‑Pay system for Pulaski.
- Technology fee: collected at the start of the school year (instructions appear in forms/handbook and families are asked to return the fee by the second week of school or make arrangements with the main office).
- Apollo After School billing: billing for Apollo is processed monthly; Apollo states that each billing cycle's invoice is due 10 days after the bill is issued and that cancellations take effect at the end of the current paid billing cycle. Apollo does not prorate unused days within a paid billing cycle.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable to Pulaski International School of Chicago (K–8 neighborhood public school).

Other routine costs families should expect
- Grade‑level supply lists and occasional replacement items (pencils, notebooks, art supplies, etc.).
- Optional spirit wear or Pulaski spirit clothing (Pulaski spirit wear is encouraged and may be available for purchase). Pulaski does not require a uniform; the student handbook describes a dress code and encourages Pulaski spirit wear.
- Potential fees for certain optional or third‑party after‑school classes or enrichment providers (costs set by those vendors).

Refunds, waivers, and fee assistance
- Fee waivers and income information: Pulaski collects the Family Income Information Form (FIIF). Families who qualify under district rules may be eligible for a CPS fee waiver for school fees; families should contact the main office about applying for a fee waiver or making special arrangements for payment. The school's handbook and required‑forms pages identify the FIIF and the CPS fee‑waiver process as the mechanism for fee relief.
- After‑school program refunds and cancellations (Apollo): Apollo's published policy states cancellations take effect at the end of the current paid billing cycle; if a payment was made before the billing cycle began, a refund may be issued but cancellations made after the billing date are subject to a 5% cancellation fee. Apollo does not offer prorated refunds for unused days within a paid billing cycle.

Accepted payment methods and how to pay
- School fees and technology fees: Pulaski accepts online payments via the Illinois e‑Pay portal (IL e‑Pay / magic.collectorsolutions). The school specifically notes the ability to accept credit/debit card payments through the e‑Pay system. Families are instructed to use the e‑Pay portal for school fees and field trip payments.
- Apollo After School: Apollo accepts online payments through its registration/billing platform; receipts are emailed and account statements are available through the Apollo parent account. Apollo provides options to register and pay online and publishes its registration fee and billing terms.

Summary statements parents should note
- There is no tuition or application fee for attending Pulaski as a CPS K–8 student; however, the school collects a modest annual school fee per student (published at USD 150 for the 2025–2026 year) and a separate 5th–8th grade technology fee for Chromebook users (USD 50). Optional before/after care and vendor-run enrichment have separate monthly charges that are billed directly by the vendor (Apollo). School fees and related small charges are payable through the district e‑Pay system; fee‑waiver options exist for qualifying families.
Academics

Pulaski International School of Chicago teaches IB (MYP) for students aged 4 to 14.

Curriculum

The school offers International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) and IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) with English as the language of instruction. The curriculum includes Math, Performing Arts, Physical and Health Education, MYP Design, and Spanish Language Acquisition. Spanish Language Acquisition is designed using the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning and IB principles, with project-based instruction, differentiated teaching, and a focus on biliteracy and cross-cultural understanding. Parents can access weekly updates from language teachers through classroom resources.

Gifted and Talented

Regional Gifted Center for English Language Learners (RGC-EL) provides an accelerated and enriched curriculum to nurture gifted bilingual students, promoting biliteracy, bicultural identity, and critical thinking. Pulaski is home to one of the city's three RGC-EL programs.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Pulaski uses a researched based SEL curriculum or framework to plan and implement SEL instruction with fidelity and monitor targeted Tier 1 and Tier 2 SEL instructional strategies. The IB Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes focus on the development of positive attitudes toward people, the environment and learning, with attitudes including Appreciation, Commitment, Confidence, Cooperation, Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy, Enthusiasm, Independence, Integrity, Respect and Tolerance. 1st and 3rd grade students participate in the Nora Project, an empathy education program called the Kindness Curriculum which teaches inclusion. Second Step is taught in PreK–5 with a supplemental bullying prevention curriculum. The entire school participates in Calm Classroom, a mindfulness program that includes brain breaks. Pulaski offers counseling services; the school counselor addresses academic and social needs, and 6th–8th grade students receive guidance for high school placement; counseling is available for attendance-related or other concerns, and students with academic or behavioral difficulties may be evaluated by the Special Education Team.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Students who exhibit academic or behavioral difficulties may be individually evaluated by the Special Education Team under the direction of a counselor or case manager. Counseling Services support the academic and social needs of students.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Pulaski is home to a Regional Gifted Center for English Language Learners (RGC-EL), one of the city's three RGC-ELs. The program provides instruction in both English and Spanish to gifted bilingual students, promoting biliteracy and bicultural identity. The mission and vision emphasize developing gifted bilingual students who speak Spanish as their home language and shaping leaders in a multilingual, global society.

Mental Wellbeing

Health and Wellness are addressed as part of the curriculum; students participate in recess and brain breaks daily and are encouraged to make healthy eating choices. Counseling Services are available to address academic and social needs; emergency counseling is provided as needed and 6th–8th grade students receive guidance for high school placement. The IB Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes, along with the Nora Project, Second Step and Calm Classroom, support social-emotional development and positive attitudes toward learning.

Safeguarding

Safety, Security and Medical Information are outlined, including Building Security and Fire, Disaster and Lockdown Drills. The school follows the Chicago Public Schools Student Code of Conduct and PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) with the Pulaski Way: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Positive, Be Safe. Internet and device safety are monitored with GoGuardian and adherence to the CPS Internet Users Policy. The school nurse provides health oversight and medical forms are maintained; emergency procedures and medical care are described for students.

Admissions

Admissions

Step 1: Live within the Pulaski attendance boundary. Students who live within the attendance boundary may enroll at Pulaski at any time during the year. Check your address to determine if you live within the Pulaski Attendance Boundary. This is one of the criteria for enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year.

Step 2: Lottery enrollment. If you do not live within the attendance boundary, you may enroll through the Pulaski lottery on go.cps.edu in the fall before enrolling. Applications are submitted during the fall of the year prior to enrollment. This is the alternate admission pathway for non-boundary residents.

Step 3: Regional Gifted Center for English Language Learners program. Accepted applicants may enroll through the Regional Gifted Center for English Language Learners program. Apply for the EL-RGC program on go.cps.edu during the fall of the year before enrolling. The EL-RGC program provides access to gifted services for English Language Learners.

Step 4: Kindergarten. For Kindergarten, the student must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2026 and must meet at least one of the above criteria. Registration dates for the 2026-2027 year are to be determined sometime in April 2026.

Step 5: Preschool. Pre-K application is strictly by lottery and is for children who will be 4 years old before September 1, 2025. Do not apply directly to Pulaski for the Preschool Program. The Pre-K application for the upcoming school year is typically open in April. Apply Online at Ready to Learn website: chicagoearlylearn.org or call 312-229-1690. A printable list of items to bring to registration is available in English and Spanish.

Step 6: CPS Enrollment and Transfer Policy. CPS Enrollment and Transfer Policy is provided via a link labeled "CPS ENROLLMENT AND TRANSFER POLICY".

Step 7: Registration contact. Pulaski International School of Chicago, 2230 West McLean Ave., Chicago, IL 60647; P: (773) 534-4390.

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