Foster
Elementary
School Overview
Foster School opened its doors in August 2026! District 65’s newest school serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The school is proud to be home to both the Two-Way Immersion (TWI) program and a monolingual program. In every classroom, Foster School educators support culturally sustaining learning.
Mission
At Foster School, staff root instruction in students’ culturally, linguistically diverse identities; ignite learning through questioning and guided inquiry; and equip students for collaborative action for a more just society.
Vision
Like the phoenix, we rise resilient,
deeply rooted in identity,
propelled by inquiry,
vigilant guardians of justice.
School Construction
District 65 broke ground on the school in summer 2024, and the Board approved Foster School as the new school's name in July 2024. The school's mascot is the phoenix. Community input for the school name included two community surveys as well as two school name review sessions with the Foster Senior Club and Ms. JoAnn’s class of 50+ third, fourth, and fifth grade students at Family Focus. We are excited to foster a community of learners and leaders in the Fifth Ward!
Since the closing of the original Foster School in 1979, students who reside in the Fifth Ward consequently experienced a disproportionate burden including the loss of a neighborhood school, increased busing and accompanying environmental hazards, reduced sense of community, and lack of access to before and after school programming not shared by other students who had access to walkable neighborhood schools. District 65 is honored to return a neighborhood school to the Fifth Ward community.