CICS Portfolio Spotlight: Stanford Names ReGeneration #1 Gap-Busting School in Illinois

Amidst the buzz of enrollment season, we're thrilled to highlight ReGeneration Schools, a member of the CICS portfolio that was featured as the #1 “gap-busting school” in Illinois in last year’s groundbreaking National Charter School Study by CREDO at Stanford University. As families consider their educational options, let's delve into the transformative power of schools like CICS Avalon, CICS Basil, and CICS Washington Park, all operated by our partner, ReGeneration Schools.

In 2023, the Center for Research on Educational Outcomes (CREDO) at Stanford University released the third installment of their National Charter School Study, finding that public charter school students outpaced their traditional public school peers in both math and reading achievement. The study found ReGeneration Schools, which operates CICS Avalon, CICS Basil, and CICS Washington Park to be a “gap-busting school” because of its high achievements in math and reading.

The researchers used standardized testing data from over 1.8 million students at 6,200 public charter schools to determine how their learning compared to their peers at traditional public schools. The report measured learning outcomes in terms of school days, where above-average student growth equated to extra days of instructional time, and below-average growth equated to the number of days needed to make up for the difference. Overall, the instructional impact of Illinois charter schools on student learning was determined to be the equivalent of 39.9 additional school days for reading and 48 additional school days for math. Nationally, the instructional impact of public charter schools was determined to be the equivalent of 16 additional school days for reading and 6 for math.

ReGeneration Schools was substantially stronger, with the academic growth and achievement of its students determined to be equivalent to 87 additional days of math - the third highest in the state - and 101 additional days of reading - the highest in all of Illinois.

Source: The Center for Research on Educational Outcomes, “As a Matter of Fact: The National Charter School Study III” (2023).

What does this mean for our students at CICS Avalon, CICS Basil, and CICS Washington Park? Each year, Chicago Public School students receive 185 total days of instruction. However, because ReGeneration provides an exceptional level of instruction, our CICS students attending these schools have had the equivalent of 272 total days in math and 286 total days in reading.

What is the impact of this accelerated learning? On recent Illinois Assessment of Readiness Exams, the 8th-grade students at our CICS Avalon, CICS Basil, and CICS Washington Park outperformed averages within Chicago Public Schools and across Illinois. The overall proficiency of these 8th-grade students even outperformed the average proficiency of non-low-income students across the state. These students are high-achieving and ready for long-term academic success.

Are you interested in learning more about the nationally-ranked ReGeneration model? Do you think CICS Avalon (1501 E. 83rd Pl.), CICS Basil (1816 W. Garfield Blvd.) or CICS Washington Park (110 E. 61st St.) is a good fit for your family? Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or click here to enroll in one of ReGeneration’s tuition-free public K-8 schools that will put your child on the path to college.

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About ReGeneration Schools 

ReGeneration Schools operates CICS Avalon, CICS Basil, and CICS Washington Park. ReGeneration is a nationally ranked charter school program that is unapologetically committed to ensuring every student is on the path to college. ReGeneration was recently recognized as the #1 “gap-busting” network in Illinois for reading and #3 for math. ReGeneration’s eighth graders are among the highest performing in the state.

The ReGeneration model helps students build a solid academic foundation while also nurturing the values and personal traits necessary for long-term success. At ReGeneration, families can expect a safe, structured, and rigorous learning environment where their child will thrive. Students receive individualized instruction provided by committed, highly skilled teachers. ReGeneration students participate in programs that help them develop compassion for each other, responsibility for their own actions, and the perseverance they will need to graduate college. ReGeneration holds high expectations for students, helping them gain a deep understanding, pride, and belief in their own capacity for success.

About Stanford University’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO)

CREDO at Stanford University was established to improve empirical evidence about education reform and student performance at the primary and secondary levels. CREDO supports education organizations and policymakers in using reliable research and program evaluation to assess the performance of education initiatives. CREDO accomplishes this goal employing rigorous research and program evaluation. Educators, lawmakers, and parents use CREDO’s publications to strengthen their focus on the results of innovative programs, charter school legislation, curricula, and accountability practices with an overall goal of providing universal public education that enables every student to succeed.