My child goes to Meijer and I can't believe how they treat students that are not in their favored…read moreprograms and or favored in general my child got in trouble for trying to stand up to somebody who did something wrong and protect the girl that was behind it and or the victim and she got sent away from her class because apparently it was a rumor even though multiple kids hadn't seen it and they should have taken it more seriously but the point it's I can't believe they're protecting a boy that SA girl maybe they should take more precautions of how to retreat the situation instead of just saying as a rumor and sweeping it under the rug

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.

My kids have attended this school for several years. Teachers are caring and they are following…read moregreat safety protocols esp during covid. We are so happy to be part of this community

This hurts a bit to only give 3 stars, I was a 5-star thinker about this school initially. And…read morethat's the problem with this place in a nutshell - GREAT at making a first impression, but it didn't quiiiite hold up for us. The turnover had been a problem - our daughter had three directresses within a single year in her room. Only one of the four primary classroom teachers was the same when we left as when we started. Only one of four teachers stays for two years?! I think this kind of defeats the whole purpose of the multi-age, multi-year classrooms that are so central to Montessori education. Entry-level staff was constantly being sent to training, and people were moving up fast. It's a great opportunity for an entry-level child-care provider at this school, since you might be #2 in a room in two years if you don't make a huge mistake. But, the school maybe should be doing better at recruiting, hiring and training and addressing the underlying cultural problem that seemed to push teachers away. We were there for two years as our two kids were 3- and 4- years old and had a really solid experience. The kids were well-cared for, basically safe, had great materials and facilities and loving staff around them. Problem is, I don't think you can execute on some of the most basic ideas of a true Montessori education if you are always changing over kids and teachers in the classrooms. What's amazing is how well they handle it and maybe the kids are learning some valuable lessons by going through change. But it's not what we expected when we came in with such a brilliant first impression and when we paid such brilliant tuition and made a brilliant donation at the big brilliant fund-raising event. This seems to be a boldly for-profit school, and essentially still a fast-expanding start-up. That might be the core of the long-term challenge. I *love* the people, top-to-bottom, and I wish them well. Your kids will be safe and well-cared for here, and it is a convenient place to drop kids off on your way to the Loop every day. They've nailed parent convenience, safety and peace-of-mind. When they get the Montessori child's and teacher's experience a little better polished, this place might really be special.

An amazing school that graduates smart, confident, and well-balanced students. It's been an…read moreunexpected gift to be able to send our child to Chicago Friends School. Being from the east coast, I'm aware of the values of a Quaker education - observing my child's (and other students') growth only highlights its impact even more - I wish more people knew about it. The classroom environment and skilled, caring faculty provide individualized learning rather than the tug and scrum between discipline and attention we've experienced in other schools. If you are searching for the right school for your K-8th grade learner, give Chicago Friends a go. Now more than ever, our kids need this kind of education. It's a great place.

We are new to CFS this year. Our child is in the 6th grade. From day one, the whole community have…read morebeen welcoming and the experience have so far been amazing for our child and our family. We were initially unsure about the pacing and whether the academic rigor will be there due to the smaller class sizes. But it hasn't been a problem. Our child comes back each day and tells us that he is being challenged in his classes and that he is enjoying the "difficulties" because it's "fun" which tells us the he is on track. He also tells us that the kids has been welcoming to him as "the new kid" and that he is free to be himself and make friends with kids both older and younger. We think CFS is perfect for anyone who is looking for a nurturing environment socially with a more individualized learning based of each child's needs.

School has been so great for our daughter…read more Staff/teachers do an incredible job here.

I went to Drummond School in the early 70's when recess was still part of the curriculum and gym…read morewas actually exercising. Gone are the days of the old school setting and the way we use to have the lunch lady Fran and Mary, push us through like cattle. Drummond School was the type of school that you wanted to get up in the morning and go to. It was just a very ordinatey school. I went back to Drummond a few weeks ago for a visit. And although Drummond is still the same, it really has changed it up. Now considered a Monessori school and really hard to get into. I think most of the neighborhood is not even part of this marvelous experience. The teachers are now younger and the classroom sizes are smaller. This is a good thing I think of course because that way the kids get a stronger education. Although back in the day it still was the place to get a good education. The teachers back than cared and my kindergarten teacher is now the main kinder teacher. It was awesome to see her and the fact that Drummond still has many of its original traits is also a plus. What a wonderful time this was and is.

Quite honestly, I don't know much about this high school. I will only speak on what I do know. I…read morejust got a five star car wash from the swim team ! What great energy they had! I wish them to have the best season and for them to reach all their goals, including their fundraising one! Driving away with a clean car and a smile on my face! -the person who drove the blue car 8.21.26

A general public high school that has to accept ALL kids from the neighborhood. Luckily, most of…read morethe kids are wonderful.

My daughter switched to St. Mary of the Angels in 7th grade. What a great school! She takes Latin…read moreand the math program is excellent. She switched from a different Catholic school that taught Common Core. Math is so much easier for her now. The principal is kind and the support staff is helpful. I was worried that she would have a difficult time transitioning to a new school. Not so, the children welcomed her and brought her into their circle. She is much happier and more academically challenged at St. Mary. Plus, there is a great relationship between the school and the church. The children attend mass on Fridays. If you are looking for a school where your child will be academically challenged AND learn the Catholic faith this is the place to be.

We were a school family for 4 years (my daughters started in Pre-K 3). While I never once doubted…read morethe dedication and commitment of the faculty and staff (there are some lovely teachers), we ultimately switched schools because of how church and school leadership handled issues relating to inclusion and diversity in the school. Like all parents I imagine, it was (and is) important to me that my children grow and learn in an environment that promotes inclusion, tolerance, compassion, and acceptance (which some consider to be something of a tall order for Catholic institutions to begin with). The religious teachings of this particular church skew heavily to the conservative side, and as my daughters got older, I sadly saw how this began to impact them directly. For instance, they don't allow girls to be altar servers. The Catholic church has officially allowed this for several decades (a tiny step toward gender equality!) and when I was in grade school in the 80's, girls could be altar servers. So it's not a radical idea by any means; it's a decision made by this specific church. Also, during our last year at the school, it became clear that one of my daughter's friends was transgender. Her classmates and teachers were supportive, but one of the church leaders handled it *very* poorly, and she was not allowed to re-enroll for the next school year. It could've been a teaching moment, fostering an awareness of diversity and understanding, but instead, the opposite took place. Admittedly, I consider myself to be progressive, and I know my values can be difficult to reconcile with many Catholic teachings. Still, in a time when intolerance is on the rise and our political climate is so divisive, I felt compelled to "walk the walk", as it were. I knew there were other schools out there where social justice, equality and compassion are taught and lived every day, and I'm pleased that my daughters attend one of those now. Again, there are good teachers here, but with the combination of conservative (outdated, to me) thinking and lack of willingness to evolve, I couldn't continue to send my kids to this school.

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.

My daughter joined North Park Elementary when she was in kindergarten and she is about to graduate…read morefrom 8th grade. I have been impressed with this school from start to finish. NPES does an amazing job teaching the kids how to learn. They're constantly building on what they know, and rounding back to reinforce the knowledge they already have. The 8th grade math and science curriculum is high school level and I've heard the kids are well prepared for high school. The kids test well for the CPS selective enrollment and private school tests, and most kids go to top rated high schools. We had a lot of support through the whole high school enrollment process as there is dedicated faculty to guide families. The school also has a strong basketball, theater and Science Olympiad program. The parents and teacher community are welcoming. I feel lucky to have found this little school!!

In our experience, you couldn't do better than NPES -- high standards achieved by excellent…read moreteaching rather than testing pressure. This weekend our son graduates from the University of Illinois - Champaign, as did our daughter three years ago. Both went through NPES from K through 8 and thrived in high school and college. Our daughter was in the Scholars program at Van Steuben, our son at North Side College prep. Now for the proud parent part. Our daughter is only a couple years out of college with a B.S and already in her dream job in food science, working for a major company. Our son is graduating for UIUC Phi Beta Kappa with a major in geography with minors in urban planning and infomatics, accepted in library school at the UIUC (which is the best in the country). Wow. They couldn't have done any better. We credit NPES for giving them a very strong start, with an impetus to study and do well that has carried them all the way. The small classes, personal attention, inspiring teaching, encouragement rather than pressure, out of class activities -- it all worked the way grade school should work. Beyond that, and perhaps because of the NPES friendships and good start, neither has ever gotten into any kind of trouble or (to our knowledge) even close to it. We feel blessed. And NPES was a key part of that blessing. If you're thinking about schools, be sure to consider this little gem.