Snapshot: Vine Academy

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Burr Ridge’s premier private school, Vine Academy, is designed for curious and capable learners in grades K-12. We provide a personalized educational experience, embracing students with diverse learning profiles and abilities. Many of our students are gifted or twice-exceptional (gifted with learning differences such as dyslexia or executive functioning challenges.) Our smaller, supportive environment is ideal for students who experience anxiety in traditional schools; Vine’s unique structure promotes well-being and a positive outlook on learning! We are also well-suited for certain students with ADHD, as our calm atmosphere fosters sustained focus and a greater sense of achievement. At Vine Academy, we prioritize the development of executive functioning across all subjects. Our daily project-based class, Projected Learning, focuses on essential skills like organization, breaking projects into manageable steps, and meeting deadlines. Students learn these skills through exciting, hands-on projects, all within a framework that encourages personal growth and responsibility.

With about 130 students, we believe our smaller school size is a major strength. Fewer students means teachers are able to build close relationships, offer meaningful attention, and effectively target instruction. Teachers use proven strategies like integrated curriculum, multi-age grouping, and regular assessments to foster engagement and achievement. Vine students are held to high expectations while being seen as individuals with unique strengths and needs. One of the cornerstones of Vine Academy is our commitment to being homework-free. We believe that children should begin the practice of a balanced life now by having time to relax, connect with family and friends, and fully participate in extracurricular activities. Regular skill practice is built into our curriculum so it doesn’t fall on the shoulders of parents; the only nightly requirement is twenty to thirty minutes of reading, an activity shown to have real educational benefits. Vine’s high school program offers a high-rigor, low-stress environment.

High school students build meaningful relationships with their peers and teachers due to our intentional cultivation of a culture of kindness paired with a no-cell-phone policy. This approach stands in strong contrast to the traditional high school experience. Our high school alumni have gone on to achieve great success, attending top universities and programs such as the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, Manhattan School of Music, Loyola University, Lake Forest College, Illinois Wesleyan, Oxford University, DePaul University, and more.

At Vine Academy, we’re more than just a school – we’re a place where students are empowered to reach their fullest potential.

For more information, visit vineacademy.com  

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Kristina and Matthew Bailey began reading books to their son, Owen when he was six months old— they haven’t stopped.
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The library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge is one of a few reading challenge programs offered in Clarendon Hills, where the Bailey family has lived for the past 2 1/2 years.
Kristin Bailey said she saw an ad about the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge and decided it was a good fit for Owen.

“He’s always been really into books,” Bailey said. “He had a natural interest in books at nine months old. That’s when COVID started, and he didn’t get out much, so reading books to him worked out very well. He’s a naturally curious kid, and imagination-building is important. The reading allows him to learn and explore new things, and he really wants to learn to read now.”

Krista Devlin, the Clarendon Hills library’s youth services librarian, said there’s a specific reason The Friends of the Library-sponsored 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge was started in 2022.

“Reading aloud to a child is one of the best ways to help develop important early literacy skills, which will prepare them for kindergarten,” Devlin said. “It is also a great way to bond with your child and to encourage a love of reading.”

Devlin said Owen was the second child to reach the challenge of having 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten. He was awarded a certificate, a crown, and his picture was taken to recognize his accomplishment.

Bailey, who said she is “a big reader,” said her family usually goes to the library once a week. Reading three books each night to Owen, along with a book before nap time, is the household normal.

“Consistency in our routine has been good and is important,” she said, adding that Owen’s two sisters, ages 2 1/2 and 1

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