Rowe Elementary is officially united under one roof!

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Following approval by the Chicago Board of Education in May 2026, Rowe Elementary successfully consolidated all Kindergarten through 8th-grade students and staff at our 1424 N. Cleaver Street campus for the 2026-2027 school year.

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This exciting milestone represents an important step forward for our school community. Bringing all grade levels together allows us to strengthen academic alignment, improve coordination of student supports, use resources more effectively, and create a more connected learning environment for students, families, and staff.

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Throughout the planning and transition process, we worked closely with families, staff, and community partners to ensure a thoughtful approach that prioritized student safety, academic success, and the needs of our school community.

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As we move forward together, we remain committed to open communication, continuous improvement, and providing every Rowe student with the support and opportunities they need to thrive.

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Why Did Rowe Consolidate?

 

Like many schools across Chicago, Rowe has experienced enrollment shifts in recent years. Maintaining two separate buildings presented logistical and operational challenges and limited opportunities for collaboration across grade levels.

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Consolidating all K-8 students at one campus allows Rowe to:

• Use resources more efficiently, directing more attention and resources toward teaching, learning, and student supports.

• Strengthen academic alignment across grade levels, creating a more cohesive educational experience from Kindergarten through 8th grade.

• Improve coordination of services, ensuring students and families have consistent access to academic, social-emotional, and enrichment supports.

• Build a stronger school community, creating more opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and family engagement.

• Focus more directly on student success, supporting long-term academic achievement and school sustainability.

 

This transition was not about fitting more students into less space. It was about thoughtfully organizing our school to better serve students and families, both today and in the years ahead.

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What Does Consolidation Mean for Rowe?

 

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, all Rowe students in Kindergarten through 8th grade attend school at 1424 N. Cleaver Street, previously home to Rowe's Upper School.

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Students and staff from the former Lower School campus on Augusta Boulevard joined their peers at Cleaver, creating one unified K-8 school community.

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The consolidated campus was designed to accommodate Rowe's enrollment while maintaining appropriate classroom sizes, age-specific learning environments, and access to shared facilities and resources.

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Our goal is to provide the benefits of one connected school community while preserving the individualized attention and developmentally appropriate experiences students need at every grade level.

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Student Safety & Age-Appropriate Learning Environments

 

Student safety and well-being were central to every aspect of the consolidation process.

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We recognize that bringing Kindergarten through 8th-grade students together in one building raises important questions about age separation, supervision, and shared spaces. These considerations directly informed the design and organization of our consolidated campus.

 

The K-8 model is well established in schools across Chicago and beyond. When implemented thoughtfully, it offers meaningful opportunities for academic continuity, stronger relationships, and student leadership.

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A Building Designed to Support K-8 Learning

 

Rowe's Cleaver campus was originally designed as a CPS K-8 school and includes:

• A basement and three instructional floors

• Three separate entrances

• Two stairways

• Dedicated spaces for instruction, enrichment, and recreation

 

The building's layout allows us to organize students by grade level, with:

• Kindergarten-2nd grade: First floor

• 3rd-5th grade: Second floor

• 6th-8th grade: Third floor

 

Designated learning spaces, structured transitions, and supervised shared areas help maintain appropriate separation between younger and older students.

 

Our Approach to Student Safety

 

Age-appropriate spaces: Younger students have designated classrooms and learning environments suited to their developmental needs.

 

Structured supervision: Staff oversee shared spaces, transitions, and daily routines to maintain a safe and orderly environment.

 

Intentional interaction: Opportunities for cross-grade engagement, including mentoring and schoolwide activities, are structured and supervised.

 

Our priority is ensuring that every student feels safe, supported, and connected while benefiting from the opportunities of a unified school community.

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The Benefits of a Unified K-8 School

 

Bringing all grade levels together creates new opportunities to strengthen the educational experience at Rowe.

 

Stronger Relationships & School Culture

 

Students have the opportunity to build relationships over time, creating a greater sense of belonging, accountability, and shared school pride. A consistent school culture reinforces expectations and positive relationships throughout the K–8 experience.

 

Leadership & Mentorship

 

Older students have more opportunities to serve as positive role models, develop leadership skills, and contribute to a supportive school environment.

 

Academic Continuity

 

A unified campus strengthens collaboration among teachers and school leaders, supporting:

• Better alignment of curriculum and instruction across grade levels

• Earlier identification of student needs

• More coordinated academic interventions

• Smoother transitions between elementary and middle school grades

• Greater consistency in academic expectations and student supports

 

Stronger Family Connections

 

Families can remain connected to one school community throughout their child's K-8 education, strengthening relationships with teachers, school leaders, and other families.

For families with children in multiple grade levels, one campus also simplifies daily routines and school participation.

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Learning Environment & Classroom Structure

 

The transition to one campus involved much more than relocating classrooms. Rowe intentionally organized its learning spaces to support students' academic, social, and developmental needs.

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Spaces Designed for Learning

 

Grade levels are grouped strategically throughout the building, allowing students to learn alongside age-appropriate peers while maintaining access to shared school resources.

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Developmentally Appropriate Classrooms

 

Kindergarten and primary classrooms continue to emphasize foundational learning, structured exploration, and developmentally appropriate instruction.

Intermediate and middle school classrooms are designed to support increasing academic rigor, independence, and preparation for high school.

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Focused, Personalized Instruction

 

Consolidation has not changed Rowe's commitment to appropriate class sizes, strong instruction, and individualized student support.

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Teachers and school leaders continue to use student performance data to guide instruction, identify learning needs, and provide targeted interventions.

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A More Cohesive Academic Program

 

With all grades in one location, educators have greater opportunities to collaborate, align instructional strategies, and support students' academic progress from Kindergarten through 8th grade.

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Building Safety, Facilities & Amenities

 

Rowe's Cleaver campus provides a safe, functional, and engaging environment for students and staff.

 

The building is structurally sound and subject to required safety inspections, routine maintenance, and ongoing facilities monitoring.

 

Our Facilities Team continues to:

• Monitor HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and building safety systems

• Conduct routine inspections and preventative maintenance

• Address facilities needs proactively

• Maintain a safe, comfortable learning environment

 

Campus Amenities

 

The consolidated campus offers a variety of spaces that support learning, enrichment, and student development, including:

• Indoor gymnasium

• Age-appropriate playground for younger students

• Soccer and activity field

• Dedicated outdoor classroom

• Larger cafeteria

• Theater and performance space

 

These amenities provide opportunities for athletics, arts, enrichment, outdoor learning, and schoolwide community-building.

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Traffic, Arrival & Dismissal

 

We understand that safe, efficient arrival and dismissal procedures are an important part of the daily school experience.

 

As part of the consolidation, Rowe evaluated traffic patterns, transportation needs, and the impact of bringing all students to one campus.

 

The Cleaver location offers opportunities for more coordinated arrival and dismissal procedures, improved supervision, and clearer traffic management.

 

Our planning included:

• Coordination with nearby Lozano Elementary School

• Structured, staff-supervised arrival and dismissal procedures

• Evaluation of traffic flow and scheduling

• Communication with City of Chicago officials and community partners

• Attention to school zone safety and signage

 

Rowe continues to monitor daily operations and make adjustments as needed to support the safety of students, families, staff, and neighbors.

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Student Supports & Services

 

One of the most important benefits of consolidation is the opportunity to strengthen coordination of the services that help students succeed.

 

At Rowe, we recognize that academic success is closely connected to students' social-emotional well-being, family stability, and access to opportunity.

 

As part of Northwestern Settlement, Rowe students and families benefit from connections to a broader network of programs and resources, including:

• Academic interventions and individualized supports through Rowe's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)

• Mental health and social-emotional services, including resources available through Northwestern Settlement's Family CARES Community Mental Health Center

• After-school programming and enrichment opportunities

• Food Pantry and Emergency Services, providing additional support for families experiencing challenges

• Family engagement and connections to community resources

 

Bringing all grade levels together makes it easier for school staff to coordinate services, identify needs, and connect families with appropriate resources.

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What This Means for Rowe Families

 

For families, the most visible change is that all Kindergarten through 8th-grade students now attend school at one location.

 

But the benefits extend well beyond the building itself.

 

Our unified campus is designed to:

• Simplify daily routines for families with children in multiple grades

• Provide more consistent access to academic and student support services

• Strengthen academic continuity throughout the K–8 experience

• Expand opportunities for enrichment, leadership, and mentorship

• Encourage stronger connections among students, families, and staff

• Support a more coordinated and sustainable school community

 

Most importantly, Rowe remains committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and academically focused environment where every student can grow and succeed.

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Our Commitment to Families & Ongoing Communication

 

The successful transition to one campus was made possible through the collaboration and engagement of our families, staff, community partners, and supporters.

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Throughout the consolidation process, we listened to feedback, answered questions, and incorporated community perspectives into our planning.

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That commitment to partnership continues.

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Northwestern Settlement and Rowe Elementary remain focused on:

• Maintaining open and transparent communication

• Sharing important school updates

• Providing opportunities for family feedback and engagement

• Monitoring the effectiveness of our consolidated campus

• Making improvements based on student, family, and staff needs

 

Your partnership remains essential to Rowe's success.

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How Can I Stay Informed or Ask Questions?

 

We encourage families to stay connected by:

• Participating in school meetings and family engagement opportunities

• Watching for updates from Rowe Elementary and Northwestern Settlement

• Sharing questions, feedback, and suggestions with school leadership

 

For questions or additional information, please email RoweInfo@nush.org.

 

We are grateful to everyone who helped make this transition possible and excited about the opportunities ahead as we continue building a stronger, more connected Rowe Elementary.

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One campus. One school community. A stronger future for every Rowe student.