Original Research by School Decision on Winnetka Covenant Preschool
Winnetka Covenant Preschool is no longer operational. The school served preschool-age children (ages M through M) as a special education preschool located in Wilmette on Hibbard Road, and was part of TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804, a regional special education cooperative serving member districts across the North Shore suburbs.
Because the school is closed, enrollment data, state assessment results, and current program details are not available. The facility's closure means families seeking special education preschool services in the Wilmette area would need to explore other options through their home school district's IEP team and the cooperative's remaining service menu.
For context on the special education landscape where this school once operated: TrueNorth, formerly known as Northern Suburban Special Education District, underwent a significant mission shift in 2021. Rather than being the automatic placement for students with IEPs, the cooperative now operates as a menu of specialized programs and supportive services that a student's home district must request. This shift means placement decisions rest with the individual district's IEP team rather than the cooperative's direct referral process.
That structure is currently undergoing further change. Several large member districts including New Trier, Winnetka District 36, Glenbrook, Glenview, and Glencoe have announced or begun withdrawal from TrueNorth, citing their ability to build robust in-district special education capacity and concern over rising membership fees. These withdrawals will reshape service availability and cost structures across the North Shore over the coming years. Parents of preschool children with identified or suspected special needs in Wilmette should check with Wilmette Public School District 39 or their home district about current preschool special education offerings and how TrueNorth's evolving role may affect available services and placements.
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