Spencer Elementary Technology Academy

**Introduction / Overview: A Focus on STEM and Community**

For residents of Illinois, and specifically the West Side of Chicago, **Spencer Elementary Technology Academy** is a recognized name in public education. Located at 217 N Lavergne Ave, this institution is an important fixture in the local community, serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade within the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system.

It is important for local users to note that while this entity may appear in some directories under the classification of "Bakery," all available public information confirms that Spencer Elementary Technology Academy is, in fact, a **public elementary and middle school**. The core mission of the Academy is centered on a robust **Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)-based curriculum**, equipping its students with essential skills for the modern world. The school's identity is deeply rooted in technology integration, featuring specialized computer labs, a science lab, and school-wide Wi-Fi capabilities to enhance the daily learning experience.

The listing as a 'Bakery' is a classification error in public databases, and the building at 217 N Lavergne Ave operates exclusively as an educational facility dedicated to student development and community engagement, rather than a commercial food service establishment. This article aims to clarify the school's true nature and highlight the valuable services it provides to Illinois families.

**Location and Accessibility: A West Side Chicago Anchor**

Spencer Elementary Technology Academy is located at **217 N Lavergne Ave, Chicago, IL 60644, USA**. This address places the school in a central part of Chicago's West Side, serving the surrounding residential neighborhoods. The school functions as a crucial anchor for local families, providing a stable and technologically-focused environment for their children's foundational education.

The school’s physical premises are designed to be inclusive, as indicated by the provision of a **Wheelchair accessible entrance**. This ensures that the building is accessible for students, staff, and visitors who may require mobility assistance.

As a public school, its location is integral to the community it serves. The facility and its surrounding grounds, which have recently benefited from the innovative Space to Grow program—transforming the schoolyard into a multi-functional green space—contribute to neighborhood well-being, offering areas for outdoor learning, recreation, and community gathering. While specific parking information is not available, street parking is typical in this residential area.

**Services Offered**

Spencer Elementary Technology Academy’s services are exclusively educational, social, and developmental, aimed at empowering students from Pre-K to 8th grade. These services underscore the institution’s commitment to holistic student growth:

• Comprehensive Pre-K through 8th Grade Education: Providing a complete curriculum including science, literacy, math, social studies, and technology integration.
• STEM-Based Curriculum: Utilizing technology in daily instruction, supported by two dedicated computer labs and one science lab.
• Special Education and Support Services: Employing a dedicated team of professionals, including a school psychologist, guidance counselor, social worker, and speech pathologist, to meet diverse student needs.
• Arts Education Programming: Offering robust arts programs which often include Dance, Literary Arts, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts, enriching the students' cultural and creative development.
• Extracurricular and Athletic Opportunities: Encouraging engagement through various sports, such as basketball, football, track and field, and volleyball, promoting teamwork and physical fitness.
• Community-Focused Learning Spaces: Developing the schoolyard into a “Space to Grow” green space for outdoor learning, play, and broader community use, with features like musical instruments integrated into the design.
• Uniform Requirement: Maintaining a structured and focused environment with a required student uniform (black or blue pants and a Spencer-issued shirt).

**Features / Highlights**

The true highlights of Spencer Elementary Technology Academy lie in its commitment to educational innovation and student empowerment within the Chicago Public Schools network:

• Designation as a CPS Technology Academy: Recognized as one of a select few schools in the Chicago Public Schools system with a primary emphasis on integrating technology into every facet of the curriculum.
• State-of-the-Art Technology Resources: Featuring two fully equipped computer labs, a dedicated science lab, and comprehensive wireless capabilities to support a modern learning environment.
• Partnerships for Environmental and Community Enhancement: Collaboration with programs like Space to Grow, which has resulted in the renovation of the schoolyard into a green, multi-functional space that benefits both the students and the wider neighborhood community by addressing critical needs like stormwater management and outdoor recreation.
• Focus on Global Citizenship: Operating with a mission to empower informed and compassionate global citizens, the school places a strong emphasis on nurturing students' scholastic, personal, and professional success.
• Supportive Faculty and Staff: A dedicated team of educators and specialists committed to "Moving Students Beyond The Immediate," as stated by the school's historical mantra, indicating a focus on long-term college and career readiness.

**Contact Information**

For parents, guardians, and community members in Illinois seeking information regarding enrollment, programs, or general inquiries about Spencer Elementary Technology Academy, please use the following contact details:

**Address:** 217 N Lavergne Ave, Chicago, IL 60644, USA

**Phone:** (773) 534-6150 (Note: Publicly listed contact number for the school)

**What is Worth Choosing: Investing in the Future of the Community**

For Illinois families in the Chicago area, choosing to send a student to **Spencer Elementary Technology Academy** means choosing an educational environment deeply committed to a future-focused curriculum. While it is not a bakery, the "product" it delivers—educated, capable, and tech-literate young people—is of immeasurable value to the community.

The combination of a specialized **STEM curriculum**, the availability of crucial emotional and academic support services, and the recent investment in enriching outdoor spaces through the Space to Grow program makes Spencer a uniquely beneficial institution. It is a school that actively works to provide students with opportunities—from advanced technology use in the classroom to engaging athletic and arts programs—that support comprehensive growth.

By enrolling a student here, parents are placing their child in a supportive Chicago Public School that uses a technology-driven approach to move students forward, fostering the scholastic, personal, and professional success required to thrive in Illinois and beyond. This is an investment not just in a child's education, but in the future strength and vitality of the Chicago community.

Spencer Elementary Technology Academy

217 N Lavergne Ave, Chicago, IL 60644, USA