Founded on a Dream of Childhood
Our French & multilingual preschool, celebrating over 14 years of existence, is located in one of the most desirable areas in the heart of Highland Park.
For more than a decade, Phoenix Global Green School has offered a unique program rooted in eco-friendly teaching and a nature-based learning environment to 2 to 5 years old children.
Immersed in a French-speaking environment throughout the day, children also experience daily exposure to Chinese (Mandarin) and Spanish, supporting true multilingual development within the same learning group.
Our food program is a key part of our philosophy and is greatly appreciated by families. We provide fresh, nutritious meals made from local farmers’ markets and stores, using USDA Organic ingredients and plant-based lunches and snacks. Whenever possible, children also enjoy fruits and vegetables grown in our own school garden.
Phoenix Global Green School was founded on a simple belief: early education should be a joyful journey that nurtures curiosity and lifelong learning. Our founder, Celine Chouteau, envisioned a space where children are respected as capable learners and where their natural curiosity guides their development.
Here, we build a foundation not only for school, but for life.
Our Philosophy
Multilingual
Phoenix Global Green School is a multilingual preschool offering a French immersion program, as well as Spanish and Chinese/Mandarin classes for all students.
Founded and directed by French librarian/Secondary School teacher, Céline Chouteau, and taught by native speakers of French, Spanish and Mandarin, we embody a global, multilingual approach to learning and community-building.
Building a strong foundation of social bonds, we create a supportive environment where children learn the value of friendship and togetherness.
Sustainable
What is a “global green school”?
We’re all connected. That’s why we embody a global perspective, from the recycled materials we use for art projects, to the healthy food we serve our students.
Frequently asked questions
Connecting little hearts with the natural world. Our garden classroom provides endless opportunities for wonder and discovery.
Creative
Arts
At Phoenix Global Green School, creativity is an essential part of every child’s learning journey. Through visual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, storytelling, and hands-on exploration, children are encouraged to express themselves, develop confidence, and think imaginatively.
Our Creative Pillar nurtures curiosity and innovation by providing opportunities for children to create, experiment, and discover new ways of communicating their ideas and emotions.
Inspired by nature, cultures from around the world, and the arts, students engage in meaningful projects that foster problem-solving, self-expression, and a lifelong appreciation for creativity.
We believe that every child is an artist, storyteller, musician, and creator, and we strive to provide an environment where their unique talents can flourish
Imagination is our compass. Through daily art, music, and creative expression, we ignite the imaginative sparks in every child’s heart.
Culinary Arts and Little Chefs
Plant-based nutrition for all our students. Made from scratch, every day.
Organic Food & Culinary Learning Program
Organic Food & Culinary Learning Program
At Phoenix Global Green School, food is more than nourishment — it is a daily learning experience rooted in nature, care, and connection to the earth.
Every child shares the same daily menu: a vibrant rainbow of fresh, organic, plant-based foods designed to support healthy bodies, strong minds, and lifelong wellness habits.
Each week, our Director, Celine Chouteau, sources the freshest seasonal produce from local farmers markets, organic grocery stores, and our own school garden. She carefully designs the weekly menu and works closely with our cook to create nourishing, organic, plant-based meals made with seasonal ingredients, garden-fresh herbs, and wholesome foods prepared from scratch. We prioritize whole, natural ingredients that help children understand where food comes from and how it is prepared.
Seasonal & Celebration Menus
We also create special seasonal and holiday menus throughout the year, transforming mealtime into a joyful celebration of learning and community. For occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, and other seasonal celebrations, children enjoy beautifully prepared meals and snacks inspired by the spirit of each occasion.
These festive menus are thoughtfully prepared using the same high-quality organic ingredients and presented with creativity, care, and attention to detail. With colorful, artistic presentations and a strong sense of celebration, each event becomes an opportunity for children to explore new foods, engage their senses, and create joyful shared memories.
From heart-shaped Valentine’s treats and harvest-inspired Thanksgiving meals to spring garden celebrations, our special menus bring excitement, wonder, and meaning to the school day while maintaining our commitment to nutritious, wholesome food.
Homemade & Garden-Fresh Nourishment
We also prepare simple, nourishing foods in-house, including homemade non-dairy milks, garden-fresh kale chips, and herbal teas such as mint and verbena grown right on campus and so much more.
A Living Food Experience
Food at Phoenix Global Green School is an extension of the classroom. Every meal supports children in developing healthy habits, curiosity, and a lifelong appreciation for fresh, wholesome, and thoughtfully prepared food.
Hands-On Food Education
Kitchen & Garden Experiences
Our culinary program is fully integrated into the classroom experience. Children actively participate in weekly cooking, baking, gardening, and food discovery activities that build real-world skills and understanding.
Through hands-on learning, children explore:
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Where food comes from and how it grows
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The importance of patience, care, and responsibility in nature
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Kitchen science through mixing, measuring, and food transformation
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Language development through ingredients, recipes, and food vocabulary
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Cultural awareness through global foods and shared meals
Children regularly explore our gardens, discovering fruit trees, vegetables, herbs, and edible plants. Seasonal experiences include tasting fresh pomegranates and lemons, harvesting herbs, and observing how ingredients change from garden to kitchen.
Children take part in meaningful, real-world food preparation activities such as:
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Baking homemade bread
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Preparing soups and plant-based meals
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Making lemonade or pomegranate juices
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Picking up snap peas, cucumbers, and kale chips from garden-grown greens
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Drying herbs for culinary blends and creative projects
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Brewing fresh mint and herbal tea from garden plants
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Helping prepare celebratory foods, including birthday cakes for classmates and cookies, sweets for the parents for the gathering after performances...
These experiences nurture independence, confidence, teamwork, and joy in learning through doing.
A Living Classroom
Happy families, Happy Kids
Our food program transforms the kitchen and garden into an extension of the classroom.
Children learn science, nature, culture, and health through direct experience — developing a deep understanding of the journey from seed to table. They become curious eaters, capable helpers, and mindful learners who respect food, nature, and their own wellbeing.
We provide all daily lunches and snacks, thoughtfully prepared to be fresh, balanced, and nourishing. Families can feel confident knowing their children are eating well while learning valuable life skills every day.
Creative expression & well-being
Music • Yoga • Drama
At Phoenix Global Green School, we believe that children thrive when they are given opportunities to express themselves creatively, move their bodies with purpose, and communicate their thoughts and feelings with confidence. Our Creative Expression & Well-Being program combines Music, Yoga, and Drama to support the development of the whole child—mind, body, voice, and heart.
Through twice-weekly Music classes, a professional vocal coach nurtures our students’ natural musicality and creativity through songs, rhythm activities, movement, and vocal exploration. Music helps children develop listening skills, language, memory, coordination, and self-confidence while encouraging joyful self-expression. Throughout the year, students prepare for seasonal performances that celebrate their learning and provide meaningful opportunities to share their talents with family and friends.
Our weekly Yoga classes help children develop balance, flexibility, coordination, body awareness, and self-regulation. Through breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, and playful movement, students learn valuable tools for managing emotions, improving concentration, building resilience, and fostering a positive connection between body and mind.
In weekly Drama classes, children engage in storytelling, role-playing, improvisation, movement, and character exploration. Drama provides a safe and supportive environment for children to experiment with language, express emotions, develop empathy, and build confidence. Through imaginative play and collaborative performances, students learn to communicate their ideas clearly, understand different perspectives, and strengthen their social and emotional skills.
Together, Music, Yoga, and Drama create a powerful foundation for communication and self-expression. Children learn to express themselves through their voices, their bodies, their emotions, and their imagination. Whether singing a song, practicing a yoga pose, acting out a story, or sharing an idea with their peers, students gain confidence in their ability to communicate and connect with others.
These experiences support language development, emotional intelligence, creativity, physical well-being, and social growth while helping children discover the joy of being themselves. We believe that when children feel confident expressing who they are, they become more engaged learners, compassionate friends, and confident members of their community.
Music • Yoga • Drama • Communication • Confidence • Creativity • Emotional Intelligence • Well-Being
Community
At Phoenix Global Green School, we believe that children thrive when they feel connected to the people and world around them. Our Community Pillar fosters a strong sense of belonging, kindness, respect, and responsibility through meaningful relationships with classmates, teachers, families, and the wider community.
Children learn the value of cooperation, empathy, and citizenship through daily interactions, collaborative projects, cultural celebrations, family events, and service opportunities. We encourage students to appreciate diverse perspectives, build friendships across cultures and languages, and develop the social skills needed to become compassionate and engaged members of society.
Together, we create a warm, inclusive environment where every child and family is valued and where learning extends beyond the classroom into a vibrant and supportive community.
Belonging • Kindness • Collaboration • Diversity • Citizenship • Family Engagement
Building a strong foundation of social bonds, we create a supportive environment where children learn the value of friendship and togetherness.