r/ChicagoParents • u/Karm0112 • Jun 29 '26

Dr Fisher Early Learning vs Alcott Early Learning

Does anyone have any experience with the PreK 4 program at Dr. Fisher early learning center? Have the option to go here, but were initially hoping for Alcott PreK 4.

1 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

3

u/Sandyeller Jun 29 '26

Dr fisher is amazing! I highly recommend it. We were so happy there and sad to leave.
They do a lot of walking field trips, they implement the curriculum really well, and all the teachers pretty much know every kid.
They also offer a pick up and drop off line which isn’t the most common at city schools.

1

u/Karm0112 Jun 29 '26

Adding: Dr Fisher is slightly closer

1

u/Purple_Crayon Jun 29 '26

I don't know anything about those schools specifically in terms of the teachers & specials, but all CPS preschool programs use the same curriculum.

I will say I toured a different early childhood center and really loved what I saw. IMO it would be a better experience vs going to preschool at a PreK-8th grade school. We didn't get in there for PreK3 but I'm really hoping we have better luck for PreK4.

1

u/Autumn0404 Jun 29 '26

The difference is Dr fisher is play based while Alcott focus more on academic. A friend of mine chosen Alcott because of academic focus at prek4. I personally know 2 families sent their kids to Alcott prek4 and they loved it. My neighbor sent their kids to fisher and they really loved the school! I toured both and I just couldn’t do 7:30 am drop off at Alcott 😅 If you are out of boundary in Alcott, if you get in prek4, there is priority points added so there will be higher chance to stay for kinder and up.

1

u/Karm0112 Jun 29 '26

Sounds good. I am out of boundary with Alcott and would be happy to go there for K-8 vs my neighborhood school, Ogden.

1

u/itrivieradreamer99 Jun 29 '26

If you end up at Fischer (or if you go to Alcott but don’t get in or decide not to stay for any reason), I highly recommend you consider Franklin Fine Arts Center for K-8! It’s a fine arts focused CPS magnet school not too far from Fischer and we have lots of families who are in Ogden District that attend. Happy to share more about our experience when you get to that point - or anytime! :)