Fisher Early Learning Center

The Dr. Fisher Early Learning Center (listed by CPS as “Fisher” and opened as the Lincoln Park Early Learning Center) is a free CPS preschool at 1840 N Clark St, across from Lincoln Park Zoo’s Farm-in-the-Zoo. CPS celebrated its opening in January 2023; it has 10 classrooms with room for up to 200 children. Its CPS profile listed 122 students in October 2026.

Fisher offers CPS full-day preschool for 4-year-olds and half-day preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds (both listed as full with a waitlist in October 2026). Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with after-school care until 5:30 p.m. CPS lists a Gold Preschool ExceleRate rating, and the opening announcement named partnerships with Lincoln Park Zoo, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and Green City Market.

Fisher has no attendance boundary and no CPS accountability status (“Not Applicable” for preschool). Families apply through Chicago Early Learning (hotline 312-229-1690). See the CPS school profile and our Lincoln Park schools guide for other pre-K options.

Sources: https://www.cps.edu/schools/profiles/school-overview/610595, https://www.cps.edu/schools/profiles/school-overview/details/610595, https://www.cps.edu/schools/profiles/school-overview/admissions/610595, https://www.cps.edu/press-releases/cps-celebrates-new-lincoln-park-early-learning-center/, https://propertyleases.cps.edu/Address.aspx?Aid=822, https://www.cps.edu/ChicagoEarlyLearning