Wonderful staff at this iconic school that has been around since 1905. Absolutely the best all…read moreyoung men school on the South Side of Chicago. Alumni are located throughout Chicagoland and across the US. We are all forever RitaMen.

Really like these old-fashioned, single-gender schools where the kids can focus more on academics…read moreand athletics, and not have to worry about how they look and dress for the opposite sex...there is enough time for that elsewhere. This school has been around for over 100 years, so you know they have proven themselves...you don't last that long unless you bring results. Academically: the school has loads of AP course offerings, all the STEM subjects one could wish for, and a reputation for getting kids prepared for college...this includes having their own library, auditorium, and computer labs. Athletically: they usually star in baseball, football, and basketball...probably in that order, although it can change from year to year. For example, they won a couple of state championships in wrestling a few years ago, so if you have a son who excels in a particular sport, don't be afraid to bring him here to learn more...he will. In extra-curriculars: they have scores of clubs and activities...some competitive such as chess and scholastic bowl, and some not competitive such as theater...and they also have a renowned band program. Facilities wise: they have a standout football field and practice field (they usually arrange to have the neighboring grammar schools play on their field). They also have their own baseball field, basketball gym, weight room, and swim pool for the swim teams on site. They don't take a second seat in the facilities category. All in all this is a institution on the south side of Chicago. They remained for 85 years at one location (on 63rd Street just east of Western Avenue) and for the last 28 years have been on a 30-some acre campus at 77th & Western Avenue. This place is for real...go visit and decide for yourself...give it a chance, we did.

Best school EVER they have classical nice staff and really good/high quality hot lunches super bigread more

We love Sor Juana Classical and Steam School! We were immediately impressed by Principal Kehr whose…read moreenthusiasm and excitement assured us we made the right choice for our son. From Principal Kehr, who personally greets each student every day and goes above and beyond to help our son, to the teachers who are phenomenal, the state-of-the-art technology/STEAM lab, and the small class sizes for individualized learning - We could not dream of finding a more amazing school! Our son is now in the 100th percentile for math and 99th for reading and writing. He is reading at a sixth-grade level and has developed tremendously over a short period of time.

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.

This is the partner school with Fleming that is about 1/2 mile east. Between both schools they…read morecover grades K-8 plus a Headstart program. Grimes consistently rates well on local and national rankings and test scores average higher than the Chicago average. A new artificial turf playground and field were installed in May of 2014. The naming of the school seems a bit unclear. It may be named after a man who served many years in the US Navy. I do know it has NOTHING to do with the two Grimes sisters who were abducted in Chicago and their dead bodies found in Willow Springs. If you have additional information please share it with me.

terrible school. I've attended there, their uniform policy is extremely strict, most of the…read moreteachers always have an attitude and mean. They don't care about kids needs. They only care about lying to everyone that this is a good schooll some of teh teachers are nice but they always get fired. Don't even get me started on the recess teachers, they are always yelling at kids not letting them play around and truly be kids. And the lunch is disgusting. There are exces amounts of bullying in there. Most of the teachers have favorites which makes me extremely mad. And teh counselors dot do nothing, instead of trying to resolve a problem, they just suspend people. I don't not recommend this school, it just gave me a lot of stress and anxiety. It was an absolute hell

this school is where I grew up, its where im from. I've had a lot of good memories with friends and…read moresome staff. here is where I've made my social life made money and learned. with all that said it wasn't amazing. some staff more specially the recess teachers always had something to complain about with me. the teachers where pretty good they cared about the students and for that I give congratulations. but if had to put it all in a few words '' could've been better".

Wow gorgeous neighborhood beautiful gym and great sportsmen ship extremely clean is an old fashion…read moreCatholic Church Huge brick walls and wonderful wooden floors I love it here Christ the king screaming eagles

Just another public school. It was great here. Some teachers were a bit ignorant, but other than…read morethat, good school!

Maritza Ceballos-Garcia is a first grade teacher. She called the police on my 6 year old child who…read moreis clearly on the spectrum. She accused him of "assault" because she claims her pulled her hair. Yet, she never told authorities she squeezed my 6yr olds fingers before he acted that way. I tried to make a complaint on Friday and what a coincidence no principal nor assistant principal nor the family coordinator nor counselor nor anyone that could help was available. No one ever called back that the security guard said would call me back neither. How are they quick to call the cops on a child but can't even hear somebody out when it's one of their own who's in the wrong? I know they're trying to protect and cover for Ceballos and The school but wrong is wrong. I called the police twice and waited over an hour at the school to file a police report , to no avail. I have a feeling they called the police district and asked them not to come. Because how did they show up within minutes for a 6 years old but never arrive for a grown adult? Despite so many setbacks I still managed making a police report, so if there is ever another complaint on Ceballos hurting a student be it physically, mentally or emotionally there is a paper trail. Do not send your children to this school especially if they are on the spectrum. She and I'm sure the other teachers and staff will call the police on your child with no hesitation, since they condoned her behavior. Beware and be safe.

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?