Early learning

For two decades, BPI has helped improve the quality of public education for Chicago children, particularly those living in low-income communities. Over the years, our work has run the gamut. From waging a constitutional challenge to fix Illinois’ unfair school funding system to sponsoring forums for educational leaders and policymakers, to facilitating joint planning and cooperation between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Housing Authority, to partnering with schools and community stakeholders to ensure children in high-poverty neighborhoods receive equitable learning opportunities.

Today, BPI’s early learning efforts are focused on the community of Altgeld-Riverdale, home to Altgeld Gardens, the largest community of public housing residents in Chicago. In 2012, BPI launched the Altgeld-Riverdale Early Learning Initiative. This partnership of more than two dozen organizations focuses on building a comprehensive system to support children from birth to age eight and their families in this community.