The Avery Coonley School

Established in 1906, The Avery Coonley School (ACS) is known as a leader in gifted education and offers advanced learners in preschool through eighth grade a curriculum with the depth, pace, and complexity to challenge them to the fullest. Unlike most schools that only offer gifted education in pullout subjects, Avery Coonley is gifted all day, every day, in every subject, with students working a minimum of one year above grade level.

The faculty at Avery Coonley is highly skilled, with over 87% holding advanced degrees. They understand the academic and social-emotional needs of gifted learners and are adept at differentiating their instruction to support individual learners. A Student Support Services Center allows students to interact with social workers and faculty specialists in literacy and math.

Unique programs at ACS include a French immersion-style program, which provides students opportunities to travel to France and Quebec, and a competitive debate program, which is rare in middle schools. Robotics and STEAM are integrated in the curriculum. Social-emotional and physical health and the fine arts are also championed and round out the curriculum, which supports the whole child. Students can also take advantage of numerous extracurricular activities, including clubs and competitive sports, offered at the school.

The beautiful, wooded, 13-acre campus in Downers Grove boasts state-of-the-art technology, flexible space for individual and collaborative work, an expansive art studio, a music room, an orchestra practice room, a library, a performing arts center, a gymnasium, and a Makerspace. Outdoor spaces include 9,000 square feet of play areas, hiking trails, an athletic field, and a low-ropes challenge course.

The 321 students at Avery Coonley represent 40+ zip codes in the Chicagoland area and come from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. This is due to the school’s commitment to diversity and a robust financial aid budget for need-based tuition assistance. Upon graduation, ACS students are motivated citizens of the world, creative thinkers, and independent, lifelong learners ready to meet their full potential in high school and beyond.

ACS invites you to see them in action:
Open House for Prospective Families
Saturday, February 7, from 9-11:30 am
Register at: averycoonley.org/open-house