The world is our classroom. NPES students venture beyond our walls to learn from their neighborhoods, the city of Chicago, and world - not as field trips, but as integrated aspects of our core curriculum. Our inquiry-based approach connects students directly to the communities around them. They don't just read about civic engagement—they practice it, identifying real issues and learning how they can contribute through Service Learning, Neighborhood Explorations, Field Studies, and our student travel program.

Every child has something important to say and contribute. We help students find their voices to share and lead with confidence. They learn to reflect deeply and communicate clearly through writing, speaking, and the arts. Our participatory model gives students regular opportunities to share their learning with peers, teachers, and families, building enduring communication skills. Students write, collaborate, present, and perform often. They help hire new teachers, mentor younger students, plan and host events, and create programs, developing leadership skills.

The problems of tomorrow need creative and empathetic thinkers today. Our students approach real-world challenges with a mindset of innovators and problem solvers. Design thinking is woven across our curriculum. Students identify problems, prototype solutions, test ideas, and refine their thinking. Our Innovation Lab gives students the resources to experiment, independently and collaboratively. Art, drama, and music are essential spaces for creative expression and innovative thinking, as are NPES’s middle school design thinking classes.