You know that feeling when you’ve found ‘your place’? Our teachers have found the students they love to teach. Our students have found the teachers they love to learn from. And our parents have found a school that gets it. Note, we were formerly known as Wolcott School.

We hear it all the time — Wolcott transforms lives. We hear it from parents and guardians, students and siblings, grandparents and professionals. It is my pleasure to welcome you to Wolcott College Prep. By learning more about us, you will begin to understand what makes our school transformative.

At Wolcott, we structure our programs so that our students engage in both a rigorous academic curriculum and robust extra-curricular life. We believe that a balanced high school experience is of critical importance to every student. To foster academic success, we offer small classes where faculty teach to students’ strengths, encourage collaboration across the faculty and academic disciplines, and integrate leading edge technology. Extra-curricular offerings are broad and student-driven, with opportunities in leadership, athletics, service, and so much more.

Whether it be through our sports programs or service learning projects, our four-year learning strategies or college counseling curriculum, it is apparent to all who visit that Wolcott’s environment helps us all rise to our highest potential and prepares our students for success in college and beyond. Every day, I am impressed and inspired by our students and faculty and the value placed on achievement, hard work, commitment, kindness, and generosity.

I am always eager to talk more about Wolcott and welcome you to explore this website, or better yet, schedule a time to visit our campus.

Warmly,
Marisa German

WHO FOUNDED THE SCHOOL

In 2011, Wolcott parents Jennifer Levine and Jeff Aeder realized that Chicago lacked a high school for bright, college-bound students whose learning styles weren’t being fully supported. Their search for answers took them across the country, where they discovered what so many families now know firsthand: the right school changes everything.

Back in Chicago, Jennifer and Jeff gathered like-minded parents, educators, and community leaders—including early champions like Jim Letchinger—who shared their conviction that students deserved a high school built around the idea that how we teach is as important as what we teach. In the living room of their home, this newly formed Board of Trustees and Professional Advisory Committee committed to creating a school grounded in expertise, empathy, and high expectations.

With Founding Head of School Dr. Miriam Pike and a team of exceptional faculty, Wolcott took shape and opened its doors in 2013 to its first 32 students. From the beginning, the school embraced a mission to serve a population as diverse in learning styles as it is in cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.

More than a decade later, Wolcott has become a national model for what is possible when students are taught with intention by exceptional faculty and equipped with the scaffolding, tools, and support they need to succeed. Our alumni now pursue paths in architecture, aeronautics, teaching, technology, finance, filmmaking, and beyond—living proof of what happens when the right community stands behind them.

It took educational leadership to innovate Wolcott. The individuals listed below advised us with a wealth of educational experience. They readily confirmed that there was a long-standing need for a high school tailored specifically to bright students with learning differences. They gave us a mandate to take action, emphatic that it was the necessary thing to do. Thanks to them, we now occupy a leadership role in educating students with learning differences and provide an active forum to share research and best practices.

The Wolcott community is grateful to a wide array of Chicagoans for their leadership and guidance in the creation of the school. The following individuals served as the Founding Professional Advisory Council:

PAMELA B. ADELMAN, PHD
Former Executive Director, Hyde Park Day School

MARY ELLEN CARON, PHD
Former Commissioner, Chicago Department of Family and Support Services

JANE HERRON, MED
Educational consultant to parents, private and public schools; Former Head, Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School

GHITA A. LAPIDUS, MA, CCC, SLP/L
Speech, Language, and Learning Disabilities Specialist, Independent college consultant

DR. MIRIAM PIKE
Founding Head of School

JOSH PRICE, EDD
School Psychologist, Psychoeducational Diagnostician

PETER RASTRELLI, EDD
School Psychologist, Psychoeducational Diagnostician

PEARL H. RIEGER, MA
Psychoeducational Diagnostician

WARREN D. ROSEN, PHD
Clinical Psychologist, Assistant Professor in Pediatrics and Behavioral Sciences, Rush Medical University

JOSEPH J. RUGGIERO, PHD
Upper School Director, The Blake School
Former Head of Upper School, Francis W. Parker School

ALYSE R. SIEGEL, MED
Private Learning Specialist

CAROL SONNENSCHEIN, MA, NCSP
School Psychologist, Psychoeducational Diagnostician

JOANNE STEINBACK, MED
Former LD Teacher, Board Member, Hyde Park Day School, and The Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School