Unfortunately, this school has gone downhill significantly. It feels like many of the good teachers…read morehave left, and the overall quality and professionalism have declined. Communication is a major issue -- emails often go unanswered, messages left with the main office don't get returned.

I spent the second half of my grade school years here, before it was called an Academy. Back in…read morethe day it was just John H. Vanderpoel (poel pronounced pool) elementary school, which served grades K-8. No middle school back then, and grade school to high school was a big jump. No buses then, either. We walked to school. In the dead of winter, we walked. It wasn't far for me, though, about 5 blocks down quiet streets lined with huge trees. We lived next-door to my grandparents, who had lived in Beverly since before my mother was born, so I'm thinking my mom went to Vanderpoel, too, but I can't remember for sure. But I do remember the school, a 3-story old brick building that included swings on the playground. I remember my teachers, I remember the gym that doubled as an auditorium, I remember my classmates. The school was named after John H. Vanderpoel (in 1910?) as was Vanderpoel Ave., the street behind the school. John Vanderpoel, born in 1857 in the Netherlands, was an influential artist and taught at the Art Institute of Chicago for 20 years beginning in 1880. Georgia O'Keeffe was one of his students. She praised him as a teacher. Vanderpoel's book, "The Human Figure", was published in 1907. BOY could he draw in pencil & charcoal. Until 1929, his works were housed in the school, then moved to nearby Ridge Park Field House & displayed in the art gallery named after him. Vanderpoel School is indeed part of Beverly's rich history & I loved it there. I loved my neighborhood, my friends, my school, and the simplicity of growing up back in the day (not saying how long ago but it was....long ago). I still have many of my grade school papers & projects. Wow, so different from the work kids do today. Example: a geography project for a state (or country?) that exported cotton. In addition to a written essay, I glued a hunk of cotton to one of the pages. I got an "E" for excellent, no "A" back then at this school. My favorite class: art. I also took kiddie art classes at the Art Institute & then majored in Fine Art in college. I went on to have an art gallery in a Chicago suburb. I'm guessing Mr. Vanderpoel would like that. I'm guessing I would have liked Mr. Vanderpoel.

The school is run by a principal who lives in the neighborhood and who has children at the school,…read moreteachers that live in the neighborhood and have children at the school. The children who attend the school are from people who never left the neighborhood. If your child or you yourself are not from the neighborhood and do not drink the kool-aid you and your children will be treated poorly and graded poorly. The school does not encourage diversity, the staff is not diversified. The staff is comprised of mostly people from the area. Many parents are entitled police and fireman with the gangsta in a uniform mentality, which in turn the children mimic. This in turn makes the school environment hostile for children, who are learning intolerance for people different than them. Instead of being sensitive and aware of the problem, the leadership is more concerned about their hyper inflated ego and the fact responses are to conflict are threatening to you and your child's education. The best one I heard was "I am responsible for the largest school in the Archdiocese" and I personally, and I..I..I. No addressing situations that cause concern for your child. Just I..I..I. There are a few great teachers who do not deserve this review. There are others that I question their mental fitness to work with our youth. In one instance I questioned a grade for my child who loves school, and my child was torn down, made accusations against, and our family was torn down with my child. All for noticing a grading discrepancy. Don't expect anything less than South Side drama here.

Unbelievable school lead by competent staff and teachers. If you put in the effort and work hard…read moreyou will be rewarded. Highly recommended this great school.

My 2 year old & 3 year old love the Castle! My son now 7 also went there. Mrs. Sise & Mrs. Groah…read moreare so great. All of the teachers are very positive and so great with the kids. My 3 year old had a rough time going to school when he started, but everyone there made it so nice for him. They are very patient and I could not believe my son that is more on the quiet side came home & was able to say the Pledge after only a month in school! The castle always has great activities too. Lots of theme days, fun field trips and their concern for safety makes me feel they are very trustworthy. The drop off & pick up is great, especially if you have babies! Love this school!

Love The Beverly Castle Academy. My 4 year old son is attending his second year at the castle and…read morehe loves it. Small classes and two teachers to each class. Every holiday they have little activities for the parents to come to and Christmas and school pictures as well. The teachers are always waiting outside for you to pull up and help get the kids into school safely. They are always doing things that are just really special for parents. Last school year they had the parents come in on the last day of school and go over how your child did through the year and also gave us this big book that my sons teacher had been making over the past school year. There were little pieces of artwork that he made, photos of him playing with friends and being goofy, and pictures of us with him at his school activities. It was really touching. If you live in the Beverly area and have little ones, send them here. You won't regret it.

Great school the staff really cares about the well being of the kids. The enrichment programs are…read morewonderful. My kids love this school. I recommend this school to any parent looking for a positive learning environment for your children.

Absolutely one of the best places to bring your family. The staff and owner truly care about you…read moreand your children!

I loved this place! My mother enrolled me in Small Stride back in the 80s. I am now 38 and I still…read moreremember my time there. Great memories! Ms Harrison was my teacher and Mrs Beck was very nice. Ms Harrison treated me like her own and I always felt safe and taken care of. If I lived in Chicago my children would definitely be there at Small Stride. Belinda Marsaw Lowery

I have 3 children going through Queen of Martyrs school and we have been nothing but happy there…read more They educate the "whole child" and build a strong Catholic foundation.

I'm a McAuley mom, but I admit I had serious misgivings when my daughter--after shadowing at a…read morenumber of other schools--insisted that she felt McAuley was "exactly right." McAuley was our rival school (I'm an AOL grad) and was, back in the day, noted for being snobby, clique-ish, and "fast." (But one never says nice things about one's rival, does one?) My main concern was that McA was so BIG and I felt--from hearsay--that its athletics program was its focus and my budding actress/writer/academic nerd would be lost. I am happy to say that I was WRONG. My daughter immediately found a group of very nice kids who were also grade-conscious. The drama dept (and this is coming from a Longwood alum, now-closed Longwood having had an A-one drama dept. for generations) put on professional productions. My daughter was nurtured and challenged and she found mentors who truly cared about helping her meet her goals, including a close friendship with a retired Sister of Mercy who has been a great emotional support to her. She loved every minute of her high school experience. Best of all, for my husband and me, is that McAuley reinforced our Roman Catholic values. Our daughter was given service opportunities and got a lot out of her Kairos retreat. The theology department is traditional in the best sense of the word: they demonstrate to the students how to live as followers of Christ. My daughter thrived at McAuley. She got into the college of her choice, and is starting this next phase of her life with humor, self-confidence and optimism. I am sorry that one of the other reviewers had such a bad experience at McA. I know that since she attended, the administration has changed, so maybe a lot of graduates made the same complaints which the new staff/admin has tried to address. But at least the reviewer will have some insight when she helps her children pick a school. I hope her kids have the same experience my daughter had, albeit at a different school.

I'm well out of high school but I still look back bitterly at this school. My parents have actually…read moreapologized for sending me to this school. McAuley claims to teach women how to be independent but it does the opposite. The girls are told they don't need men for anything! Well, except to go to prom..then you need a male date. The school is much more concerned with their image than they are with the students. Yay volleyball! What about academics?