Crow Island School at 85

Crow Island School, an internationally recognized beacon of Progressive Education, turns 85-years-old in 2025. Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, reflects on the school’s enduring legacy with Dr. Luke Livingston, current Principal, and Dr. Julie Pfeffer, who served as Principal for 11 years. Listeners will also receive a review of extensive renovations that will occur in 2024-2025, retaining the building’s original historic details but, as Dr. Pfeffer notes, “allowing Crow Island to grow into the future so students and teachers can be their best.”

Crow Island opened in 1940 following years of planning and design led by then Superintendent, Carleton Washburne, Perkins & Will and the Finnish father & son Saarinen architectural team.  Washburne envisioned a school that would, “encourage spontaneity, variation, initiation, creative work and independent thinking.” Its learning spaces were designed to feel like a reflection of the home.  The building includes hundreds of nods to the child in features like door knobs, windows and handrails all at a child accessible height; varying textures and patterns reflecting nature; access to the outdoors from every classroom; and abundant natural light. Dr. Livingston says that when students arrive at Crow Island, “they light up with joy…they feel this school was made for them.” Crow Island School was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 and became a National Historic Landmark in 1990. This beloved school continues to draw generations back to raise their children, as well as attract those studying education architecture and innovative, student-centered design. 

Fun facts: Crow Island School is the home of the world's first jungle gym. One of Crow Island’s many notable alums, Ed Zwick, won the Academy Award for Best Picture for producing the film Shakespeare in Love. Another alum, Peter Chatain, is competing in the Olympic Trials with USRowing in Switzerland in May 2024. Bill Martin, Jr., author of children’s book classics Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom served as the principal of Crow Island from 1958-1961 and has said, “My years at Crow Island were the best learning years of my life. It was there that I discovered the genius of children.”