A Brief History of the Partnership School
In 1995, facing a shortage of classrooms at Freeman Elementary School, then Superintendent Sherry Eagle approached Gary Jewel, Dean of the School of Education at Aurora University, to see if District 129 might rent three classrooms for a two-year period. This would provide a location to house Freeman fourth grade students close to their home school until Jewel Middle School opened and the sixth graders moved from elementary to middle school, which would free up classroom space at Freeman. Dr. Jewel said Aurora University would be interested in having elementary students on campus, possibly partnering with the university’s education programs.
In the 1996-1997 school year, the Freeman fourth graders attended class in the brick building at 1330 Marseillaise, just east of Dunham Hall. Partnerships between the District 129 staff and university professors of education began to grow. University students began observing in classrooms and working with the teachers. By the 1998-1999 school year, 1330 Marseillaise was too small to house all of the fourth graders, and a portable classroom was added. By this time, a “lab class” was designed, and the students from Dr. Deborah Brodtke’s Methods for Teaching Elementary Reading class spent two to three hours per week in a classroom, applying the methodology they were learning in the course with “real” students. Dr. Brodtke and the fourth grade teachers planned the learning experiences together and presented them to the university students.
In January of 2006, Aurora University opened its newest building on campus, the Institute for Collaboration. The design of the Institute for Collaboration included eight classrooms and office space for the Partnership School. Facing similar issues in shortage of classrooms at McCleery, fifth grade students from McCleery joined the Partnership School. Currently, the Partnership School houses four sections of Freeman fourth grade students and four sections of McCleery fifth grade students.
The partnership between District 129 and Aurora University has continued, providing a unique learning environment and many opportunities for our students. University students continue to work with the Partnership School’s students and staff. Currently, Dr. Deb Stevens serves as the Scholar in Residence. |
