Community Learning
The Future of Learning & Environmental Education
Cultivate Communities are rooted in the Academy for Global Citizenship’s nature-based, environmental education model. Our methods have been honed since our founding in 2005 and have been disseminated to impact over five million students. Foundational to our framework is cultivating the next generation of environmental leaders, social entrepreneurs, and global citizens. Starting at age three, our model follows a transdisciplinary, Dual Language, International Baccalaureate and Reggio-inspired approach to whole child development, inquiry, and environmental education. AGC’s model is driving the future of education and sustainability through the integration of foundational pillars in STEM and renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, child and community health, food as medicine, social entrepreneurship, and research, policy, and advocacy.
Cultivate Chicago is partnering with Start Early (formerly the Ounce of Prevention) to implement an on-site, Head Start Early Childhood Learning Center for ages three and four at the hub. Rooted in Start Early’s evidenced-based, Early Education Essentials, the early learning model will follow a nature-based, Dual Language, International Baccalaureate and Reggio-inspired approach to whole child development.
Early learning graduates will be provided with a seamless transition to the on-site, tuition-free, public Kindergarten through 8th grade school, the Academy for Global Citizenship (AGC). Having served the community since 2008, AGC’s award-winning educational approach provides a continuum of Dual Language and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, in addition to a strong focus on whole child wellness and environmental education, enabling students to continue their IB education at Curie Metro, our neighborhood public high school.
Lifelong Learning
The educational opportunities offered in a Cultivate Community continue beyond the foundation provided to children and serve as a model for the Cultivate Collective network. Extended learning programs are provided for both children and adults, including parenting seminars, cooking classes, gardening, healthy living workshops, job and entrepreneurship training. Comprehensive activities are provided for children in addition to an entrepreneurship-focused summer camp which allows students to work on the Cultivate farm, create their own farmers market, learn about social enterprises, and make an impact in their community.