The Children's School Welcomes New Head of School

The Children’s School of Oak Park (TCS) completed its search for a new Head of School, choosing Ms. Michelle Candelaria-Dunstan, M.Ed., an experienced educational leader from Boise, Idaho after a national search.

“After a thorough search process that included input from many teachers and parents, our Board of Directors looks forward to working with Michelle Candelaria-Dunstan who will join us as Head of School on April 9th,” says Alyssa Stark, Board President for TCS. “We believe she has the vision, experience and skills to help us reach our organizational and educational goals.”

Michelle Candelaria-Dunstan joins TCS from her most recent position as the Education Director for Anser Charter School in Boise. She brings a wide range of knowledge and experience in both traditional and progressive education. With decades of educational experience leading schools with an inclusion-based mission, she has taught at multiple grade levels and holds a Master’s degree from Boise State University.

Throughout her career, Michelle Candelaria-Dunstan distinguished herself in becoming an established leader at the school, community, and state-level, in addition to serving as an advisor to governmental bodies on a variety of educational topics.

The Children’s School, founded in Oak Park, is currently celebrating its 20th year as a non-profit, independent school that offers a dynamic progressive education program for grades K-8. The school recently moved into a new facility within the First Baptist Church of Oak Park.

“Our new Head of School will help us at a pivotal time in our school’s history. We are excited to bring fresh energy and ideas into our already rich program of project-based learning and democratic education,” says Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Ms. Gloria Mitchell. “We are currently renovating an additional floor in our new facility to add several new classrooms. We are also hiring new staff members and restructuring our administration to better meet the needs of our students and their families.”

The new Head of School, Michelle Candelaria-Dunstan says: “At The Children's School, we are committed to providing an exceptional educational experience that nurtures the whole child and fosters a lifelong love of learning. I am dedicated to upholding our school's mission of providing a supportive and inclusive environment where every child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. I am confident that together with our excellent faculty and dedicated board, we will continue to create a warm, welcoming, and dynamic learning community where every child feels valued, challenged, and empowered to succeed.”

The Children’s School is part of the Progressive Education Network and the only school specializing in progressive education in the western Chicago suburbs. TCS’s mission is to nurture students’ innate curiosity and love of learning through democratic practice, emergent curriculum, and hands-on projects, helping students become lifelong problem-solvers and engaged citizens. It offers small classes in a relaxed environment that supports the unique developmental arc of each child. The school does not use standardized tests or grades, instead relying on ongoing individual assessments of each child’s learning progress and potential. The curriculum aligns with state and federal academic requirements and includes a social justice focus. Graduates from The Children’s School now attend more than 20 high schools across the Chicagoland area, and more than 35 colleges and universities across the nation.

To learn more about The Children’s School, explore admission for Fall of 2024, or to join in an open house tour, visit thechildrensschool.info.

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