Who We Are, What We Do…
Prairie Paideia aims to educate students ages 6-18 using alternative methods and priorities from traditional schooling by focusing on creativity, integrated content, Socratic method, executive function skills, growth mindset and social-emotional wellness. Pulling from different educational pedagogues and models that change and blend through the developmental stages of our students journeys. Children are placed at the level at which they are stretched regardless of age and our culture supports the ability to recognize achievement at all stages and levels without shaming based on an image of “what should be”. We support and educate not only our students, but families – knowing that students grow in community and concepts need to be embraced both at home and in their learning environment. Our programs are college preparatory although we support and encourage all pathways to independence post-graduation.
This full-time program grows out of a cottage business, illuminat-ED Coschool, started in 2016 which traditionally served homeschoolers in alternative and flipped classroom teaching as well as Science Olympiad teams at the middle and high school level. We continue to teach homeschoolers and run the Science Olympiad teams with great success.
Directed Donations
We have three options set up for fundraising:
- Facilities Campaign: to offset costs of our commercial space while we direct funds towards new staff, systems and supplies as we grow.
- Science Olympiad teams: to support the Fox Homeschoolers Science Olympiad teams and expanding their access to secular resources and programs.
- Adulting Academy: to fund programs for young adults that help learn personal finance, college success skills, employment-related skills and self-advocacy, navigating healthcare and more.
Can You Help?
A welcoming space, low student-to-instructor ratio, and well-equipped and trained instructors are the backbone of our success. We’d love your help as we grow. If you, someone you know, or an organization has a vested interest in education programs that are building resiliency, critical thinking, analytical and strong communication skills–please send them our way.
Alternatively, donation checks can be made out and mailed to:
Prairie Paideia Learning Center
710 E. Ogden Ave., Unit 200
Naperville, IL 60563
We also do not require our families to buy supplies for our organization. If you’d like to help with some of our supplies, please click below to access our organization’s Amazon Wishlist. Please be sure to include your name/organization on the receipt so that we can be sure to thank you!
Prairie Paideia Learning Center, NFP is a federally registered 501c3 not-for-profit organization
and Illinois state registered not-for-profit organization.