Adopt A River School
(AARS)
If you and your students have been enjoying your Chicago River studies for years and are interested in having a Chicago River site to call your very own, Adopt A River School is the program for you.
What does it take?
AARS schools must commit to visiting their adopted site at least twice a year. Each school needs a team of at least two teachers to serve as leaders. Each year you and your students:
Determine the Chicago River’s water quality through chemistry, macroinvertebrate, and habitat assessments.
Share your water quality data by uploading it to the AARS website, the Watershed Community Report.
Help improve the river by develop a service learning project with a site steward and by participating in our annual Chicago River Day event.
Share what you have learned by participating in our annual student-led conference, the Chicago River Student Congress (held every February).
How does Friends help?
Friends hosts annual trainings for teachers, has water quality equipment to borrow, provides a small grant program for Adopters, and offers support and networking opportunities throughout the year.
If you are interested in becoming an Adopt A River School, contact us.
If you are already a member, you can access forms, data, evaluations, and resources.
AARS Member Schools
Amundsen High School
Chicago City Day School
Curie High School
Deerfield High School
Drummond Elementary School
Gage Park High School
Lincoln Park High School
Loyola Academy High School
Maine Township High Schools
Northside College Prep High School
St. Ignatius College Prep High School
Schurz High School
Taft High School
Young Women’s Leadership Charter School
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