Avery Coonley School
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The Avery Coonley School is a highly selective, non-denominational private day/elementary school in Downers Grove, Illinois. The school was founded in 1906 by Queene Ferry Coonley, a wealthy education patron. The school serves preschool through 8th grade. Students are admitted into preschool, and have to pass a test to enter kindergarten. Entry is competitive with a waiting list.
The school has won many awards in math, science, social studies, French, and problem solving competitions. The soccer and volleyball teams have also placed high in their leagues. The school was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School in 1987–88.[1]
The curriculum includes accelerated English, math, science, and social studies curriculum. Students also take French, theater, computer science, music, and visual arts. The school has a student orchestra. The physical education curriculum has now introduced a fitness curriculum including body fat testings and cardiac monitoring. The student body is highly diverse.
The school has undergone recent additions, including state-of-the-art math and science labs and a professional-quality theater. Many of the school's graduates advance to prestigious East Coast boarding schools and Ivy League universities.
Parent and alumni involvement in the school is high. There is an annual fundraising dinner in May which contributes over $130,000 to the endowment yearly.
The school building was designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, and was designated as a historical site in 2006 by the Downers Grove Historical Society.[2]
Students won the Illinois State Science Fair competitions for four consecutive years.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ Blue Ribbon Schools Program, www.ed.gov (.pdf)
- ^ Meeting Minutes, Downers Grove Village Council, September 19, 2006
- ^ "The Academy of (Lesser) Science", Education Week, August 3, 1994