About Our School

Principal:  Dr. Paul Goldberg
Assistant Principal: Carolyn Smolinski

Phone: (847) 357-6444
Fax: (847) 357-6445

John Muir Literacy Academy serves more than 600 students in early childhood through sixth grade. John Muir has been serving the community since 1972.

Today Muir has a diverse student body. About 49 percent of students speak a language other than English as their first language. There are 29 languages spoken at Muir. This diversity provides many opportunities for students to learn about customs and cultures as they study the countries from which they or their ancestors come. This culminates in the “Taste of Muir,” an event that brings families together to sample food from around the world, see native costumes and dances, and enjoy each other’s company.

Developing literacy skills for students is the primary focus for instruction at John Muir. Using a balanced approach to literacy, students spend time every day working with the district’s core literacy series. Based on student needs, small groups of students at each grade level are taught or retaught essential skills. This enrichment time is called the “Branching Out Block” or “BOB.”

Passionately committed to the belief that all students can and will learn, the staff at Muir provides reading and math interventions before, during and after school to ensure student achievement.

Muir offers an ongoing alternate reading program for struggling students to ensure grade-level reading standards are met. Before- and after-school programs designed to promote reading success are part of an extended school day. Social studies and science instruction is integrated into the core literacy program when possible.

The school practices safety through a Peer Mediation program and SAFE Team. Children experiencing problems can turn to other students for help in resolving them. The school also has a buzzer and video monitoring system, so school officials can identify visitors before they enter the building.

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