Listen...was the school strict? Yes. Were some of the teachers mean and rude? Yes. Were the deans…read moreINSANE? 100% Yes. Yet, it's not THAT bad of a school like some of the people are saying here. I was in the 2025 Class and also went through the two-year IB program -- so I know all about the current state of the school as well as the tough end of the academics. It's a good school -- strict and always making up more rules that don't make sense -- but that environment isn't that bad for teenagers to adapt in. Of course, some of the teachers need to learn how to interact with children, the deans (looking at you Mr. Micheal Rabideau) need to stop picking on the shy neurodivergent kids (Me) during lunch. But it's a good place to learn as long as your Spanish 2 teacher isn't a now convicted and jailed pedophile (Emilio Amado Vrdoljak). :P Done with the jokes now, sorry!! But if you want your kid to actually learn shit -- sign them up for the IB program in Depaul -- if not, send them to your neighborhood special ed program.

14 minutes ago DePaul is the best school I've ever gone to,…read morethe academics are strong and there are plenty of activities and clubs and sports to get to know people. To the people who say " it's a fake catholic school" well it's not they teach religion so you can study the bible and they have a 98% graduation rate, and i know everyone keeps saying the deans are soooo strict, but yess they have to be strict otherwise teenagers could do so many bad things if they're not disciplined. Discipline is important for young minds to grow and learn to become better versions of themselves, DePaul is a amazing place to send your kids and you should definitely send them there

This school is amazing, so many different opportunities for every single student. You aren't forced…read moreto take a path because there are so many more to explore on your own. The teachers are great and get along with the students. The food is actually decent compared to the other high school foods. There's off campus lunch with lots of different food options around you. Lane literally has a bit of something for everyone. There are 100+ clubs it's so much fun. If you want a true high school experience then lane is the way!

I am aware Brian Tennison is now Supertindent. In…read moreretrospect, former Principal Brian Tennison was the most neglectful staff ever seen at Lane Tech College Prep. I am an adult who is 40 years old. I know right from wrong. Principal Tennison might have shook every Lane students hands while he was in office, he neglected their needs as far as stress goes. There was no relief, no therapist offered whatsoever. Brian Tennison did not care. Plus, he took away all the parents privileges to volunteer at their Prom. I was devastated at that time. Even though, my youngest daughter was unhappy about me not going to her prom. I would have been very happy without dancing and prom dinner. I rather be in the same ballroom with both my daughters' prom instead of dinner and dancing. We survived without it. I do not know who changed the prom volunteer policy. Hence I am very sad at Brian Tennison. Dr. Christopher Dignam was a very very excellent principal. Dr. Dignam allowed parents to participate as prom volunteers. You rock Dr. Christopher Dignam!!!!!! Does anyone have a say about the parents, prom and Dr. Chris Dignam?

Even though this school claims to be inclusive it really isn't. It's very exclusive for the parents…read moreof the community who are majority wyt/wealthy and not for kids outside of the community who come here for the "Montessori" program. Which I wish parents really got a chance to observe a real Montessori class setting as they will VERY quickly realize Mayer isn't a true Montessori school as it claims, no way it can be when it's a PUBLIC school. We had our kids in Montessori before moving to Chicago and this is is NOT what it claims to be. A lot of the teachers here need REAL cultural awareness and also confidentiality training. There is a guard that works here that definitely needs some people's skills she really lacks interpersonal skills. A few of us were in the building and over heard how disrespectful she is to the students , yelling and yelling g them to "shut up" when addressing them, unbelievable really that they would have someone like that around kids. The LSC has the principal controlled and we believe she even fears them, which is sad because she's cool and great things could happen here. It's shocking that in a school with so much $ students have such limited access to quality music, art and language programs - and how there isn't much visible pride in having a "multicultural" school. All in all Mayer is pretty lame considering everything it claims to be, just another public school. Needless to say we're very excited to be leaving and going to La Salle where they are welcoming from the moment you walk in. Anyone looking at Mayer thinking quality and wholesomeness , keep looking.

I love this school! I have been attending here for the past 9 years and have nothing bad to say! It…read moreis a Montessori curriculum until 5th grade and is international baccalaureate 5-8 grade. All the teachers and staff seem to genuinely care about all of their students. The school lunch isn't good but in CPS school what can you expect. Many of my peers attend private school and have or are learning the same thing that I'm learning in the grade behind them (so it appears we are learning just as much as kids at PS). PreK-K, 1-3, and 4-5 are in the same class. I have found this very helpful, if you are in 1st grade and are advanced you can work on more advanced work while still staying in the same class. Yes, there is some bullying but, as is at every school, unfortunately. The playground is very large and accommodating to everyone, we have a very nice, big field and baseball diamond/ "soccer field". The bee hive is so interesting and fun to learn about, our chickens are always laying new, fresh, and tasty eggs, and we even have a large garden consisting of cucumbers, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, basil, kale and more! We have an amazing sports program, our coaches are very knowledgeable, we have won battle of the books for the past 3 years out of the entire city. Our cross country team is amazing and has great training programs and practices. In fall our school has sports programs including, football, cross country, soccer, and volleyball. Our winter season consists of basketball, cheerleading, and wrestling. Our spring sports program includes, track and field and soccer.

Update: we have both of our sons, upcoming 6th grade and 2nd grade, at walt disney magnet school…read moreand I just felt compelled to express my absolute joy with this school! Both of our sons have been here since kindergarten, and they are just flourishing. Living in chicago, parents can almost be overwhelmed with the amount of education options and feel stress about if they're making the right call on where to send their children. After being here so many years, we have never once questioned our decision to join the walt disney magnet school family. Whether your child is an excellerated learner or needs some extra help, the teachers optimize the true potential of each student. This is genuinely a school for every and any child and we just feel so lucky to be here. Aside from the teaching staff, the administrative team has found a way to keep a personal relationship with their families, all while managing over 1,400 students. Principal Riskus is always at every field day, concert, play, etc, and not just to show up but to engage with the kids and their families. How these teachers and administrators can be on a first name basis with over 1,400 students and families is beyond me, but they do it. We have never felt like just another name on a list despite the abundant student population. I imagine my review might seem like I work there or this is an AI response (ha!) but i truly am just a parent who loves this school. Again, I just felt compelled to express our true appreciation and cannot wait for the new school year.

I got to go the June graduation here for a family member and was really impressed. She did well on…read moreher state tests and got into a selective enrollment high school. I guess that makes for a short review but thats really all you need to know. Walt Disney Magnet School did its job and did it well.

#Hawthorne 3 yr experience. Parent's, assumed I was the…read morenanny when waiting for my child, My child by his kindergarten teacher was referred to as an 'animal', and "hell" continued from there on. Hawthorne Academy has very few teachers /staff that aren't living in a bubble and will teach and treat every child equally. Principal and other admin /faculty will be too busy with fund raising, picture taken, and presenting this school to be a place for everyone to care what is going on with the less represented population. Bottomline. Donate $10,000 you'll likely have your voice heard & your own parking spot. Give the required you'll need to either leave or conform. A school where some "educators" & Staff are nestled in a quiet, small bubble, in both location and mind #Hawthorne is lacking the exposure needed to educate ALL students . Careful what you allow to enter your child's mind. Once it's there, it's difficult to find and erase. My child and I were poorly affected by Hawthorne Academy Chicago. There are great schools, maybe this one is great for you, but for me, for my son. This school has created HELL, pain, and many nights of tears, and anxiety. I don't wish to give bias or share anything that will hinder another from a place that may be a great fit for you, so I've omitted a few experiences, but, I must be very very honest when I say, be very careful where you place your children. Don't rely on rankings and smiling faces. Be present, listen, and advocate for your child no matter where you chose. Hawthorne Academy in Chicago Lakeview is just not the place I'd personally recommend.

My son has attended Hawthorne for 7 years. Contrary to what has been posted by a former parent, we…read morehave never experienced racial inequality at the school. It has a diverse student population with families whose ethnic roots span the globe. Each year the school has a fundraiser to provide programs in the arts that CPS has eliminated due to budget cutbacks. This fundraiser has silent auctions where parents bid as little or as much as they wish on goods and services. No pressure is put on parents to participate in this event. If someone wishes to bid $10,000 for a personal parking space in the school parking lot, ( and no..I am not that person ), I would thank them for providing enriching programs for the students that they wouldn't otherwise have. If a child has behavioral issues, there are specialists who can address the problem. A teacher's job, ( to state the obvious ) is to teach, and not allow a disruptive child to affect the quality of the education of the other 30 students in the class

There are better schools. My problem with this school is the adults are trying hard to fit in with…read morethe students. I have gone in several times as a concerned parent and have been treated like I was a villain. If you disagree or they don't want to deal with you they will call DCFS or provoke you to argue. I speak from experience, but after two weeks my case was dropped and unfounded in 2022. As a parent, this was the worst experience I ever had dealing with a school. Good Luck parents.

Saturday morning (and weekday evenings) the Uplift pool transforms into the Clarendon Park District…read morelap pool. Not crowded, great swim. Crappy showers.

Chicago's best kept secret. I hesitate to post about it, so the word gets out…read more This school is extremely strong academically with students attending elite high schools. The diverse learning program is strong and every teacher in this school is dedicated to nothing but your child.

You won't find a more loving, supportive and fun school for your child in the city. We've been…read moreparents here for nine years. The academics are great- the kids are well prepared for high school- but it's the community and the belief that kids should enjoy being at school and have fun learning that has made all the difference. Our children thrived here and love their school. The 8th graders know the preschoolers, the students know all of the teachers and the principal welcomes you each morning. Its a gem in Lakeview. Thank you, OLMCA!

Such a lovely sweet warm school! The faculty all know the children by name. Encourages kindness…read moreand respect, and the children value and appreciate each other. A type of home away from home environment for students. Highly recommend.

My daughter spent 11 years at SJS (PK3-8th). Great, rigorous education. The best and brightest…read moreteachers. Can't beat the community that feels like family. Also, daughter said the curriculum at SJS was harder than her Catholic HS experience