About Our School

Blackwell serves 400 students in early childhood through sixth grade. Our classrooms include self-contained deaf/hard-of-hearing classrooms.

All Blackwell students learn sign language as part of the instructional program. Students learn signing from their teachers and communicate with both traditional oral and sign language. The sign language program is entering its tenth year, and many of the students are quite fluent communicators with sign. Click here for more information on sign language classes ASL brochure

Blackwell has access to a full production studio. Every classroom has a television monitor to allow for daily student-centered broadcasts and schoolwide  instruction in sign language. All announcements are signed and broadcast throughout the school. Students also participate in video production projects and classes.

Our sign language program received the School Board Honorary Award for Service to Persons with Disabilities from the National School Board Association and the National Organization on Disability. Blackwell School was also nominated for the Best Elementary School in the 2009 Deaf Illinois Awards. Click here for more information about the sign language program

Blackwell School follows the guidelines set forth in PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports), which is supported by the Illinois State Board of Education. The PBIS program organizes adults and students to create a culture in
school that encourages positive behavior and interaction while discouraging problem behaviors.

In addition to a strong academic experience, students have the opportunity to participate in many activities, such as school musicals, Junior Great Books, Chorus, R&B (morning reading club),  Outdoor Team Building, Book Ends and Box Tops for Kids Program and Kids Klubs.

We offer evening parent and child classes through our Schaumburg Parent University, formerly Blackwell Parent University. Classes are offered throughout the school year and are available to all District 54 families and community members. Class offerings are listed on our school website.

Blackwell is strongly supported by our parent community, including the Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

A full continuum of special services is available to students in District 54. All children have access to early childhood programs, which are clustered geographically. Each of the elementary schools has gifted resource services, although eligible children can also attend the magnet program at Campanelli School.

The school was named after Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman awarded a doctorate of medicine in the United States.