Crow Island School

Crow Island School is a one-story elementary building in Winnetka featuring individual outdoor courtyards attached to each classroom and wings organized by grade level. The structure incorporates lower ceiling heights suited to young children, abundant natural light, and spacious hallways designed to facilitate student movement throughout the day.

The building was constructed between 1940 and 1941 by architects Perkins, Wheeler and Will working with Eliel and Eero Saarinen. This project emerged during a period when designers were rethinking how school facilities could better serve educational needs and child development.

The name reflects the local wildlife present in the area when the building was designed. Today, visitors can observe how the layout encourages movement between different spaces and creates separate environments for various age groups.

The school is located in a residential neighborhood with parking available nearby on local streets. Visitors should note that this is an active school facility, so viewing is best arranged in advance during non-instructional hours to avoid disrupting daily operations.

A striking 50-foot chimney rises vertically from the structure and serves as a sculptural design element rather than purely functional infrastructure. This distinctive feature was intentionally integrated into the architectural composition to create visual interest and rhythm.