Academy for Global Citizenship

The Academy for Global Citizenship (AGC) is a public charter school located on Chicago’s southwest side whose mission is to empower all students to positively impact the community and world beyond. Founded in 2008 with kindergarten and first grade classes, the school will add one grade per year until it becomes a K-8 school, in 2015-2016.

Along with a rigorous focus on academics, the curriculum at AGC extends beyond the traditional classroom. Organic, nutritionally balanced meals, daily yoga, gardening, wellness instruction and ecologically sustainable practices throughout the school encourage learners to develop healthy and sustainable lifestyles for themselves.

Serving the students breakfast and lunch, the school has developed a comprehensive wellness policy focusing on high-quality, nutritious foods that are organic and locally sourced as much as possible and include a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Meanwhile, taking “local” to a whole new level, a chicken coop and “edible garden” are located right in the schoolyard! These elements not only provide nutritious food, but also offer students a hands-on opportunity to establish a connection to their food sources. In addition, to complement the students’ nutrition and food education, the school is proactive in recommending safe, supervised routes to walk or bike to and from school and provides bike racks and a bike-lock-library for students to borrow locks at school, encouraging students to incorporate exercise into their daily routine.

To learn more about the Academy for Global Citizenship’s innovative and integrated programs, visit their website.