Baker Demonstration School

Baker Demonstration School is an independent school located in Wilmette, Illinois.

Until 2005, Baker was the laboratory school of the National College of Education, National-Louis University. In 2005, Baker became an independent school, though still affiliated with National-Louis University. That affiliation will come to an end in June, 2012. Baker has begun a relationship with Northwestern University. Baker, a progressive school whose teachers differentiate and provide experiential learning environments for its students, is a provisional member of the Independent School Association of Central States and in the final phase the three year full accreditation process.

Head of School Daniel Schwartz joined Baker, having served for 12 years as Washburne Middle School Principal in the Winnetka Public Schools. He was Assistant Principal of the school for four years prior to becoming Principal. Before relocating to the Midwest, he lived in Boston, where he worked as Director of Education at the USS Constitution Museum, and was a teacher in both the Boston and Brookline Public Schools as well as at New Perspectives High School, a private therapeutic school. Mr. Schwartz earned his B.A. in History from the University of Connecticut, his M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Lesley University in Cambridge MA, and is currently working on his dissertation at National-Louis University. His dissertation topic is What are the Implications of Progressive Education for School Leadership? Kimeri Swanson-Beck serves as the Instructional Coordinator.

Approximately 80% of Baker graduates attend public high schools such as Evanston Township, New Trier, Northside College Prep, and other CPS selective-enrollment high schools. 15% attend parochial schools Loyola Academy and St. Ignatius with the remaining 5% attending independent high schools: Latin, Francis W. Parker and Roycemore. Baker graduates routinely score high on high school entrance examinations, achieve advanced placement and do well in all high school environments.

Baker is noted for its Middle School Certamen team, who recently came in second place in the North Shore Junior High Certamen and won prizes in the Northern Regional district. Other school activities include sports such as basketball, flag football, track and soccer teams. Baker competes with other junior day schools and local public schools.

Baker launched Baker Summer Discovery in 2010 for children aged three though ninth grade.