Distinctive Schools
Primary and Secondary EducationIllinois, United States201-500 Employees
Distinctive Schools is a mid-sized nonprofit organization focused on primary and secondary education, based in Chicago, Illinois. It supports and accelerates the work of charter schools by collaborating with existing networks and providing locally focused support and resource allocation. The organization emphasizes the use of evidence-based programs shown to improve student outcomes, with collaboration at the core of its approach. Its mission centers on social justice and expanding access and achievement for historically marginalized communities, aiming to help each student become an engaged learner, a confident self-advocate, and a creative problem-solver within a culture that values diversity and collaboration. In June 2026, Mary Beck was appointed president and CEO, effective June 1, 2026, marking a recent leadership change for the organization. The entity operates in the charter-school sector within the broader public education landscape, seeking to guide a transformation that supports students’ preparation for college, career, and life.