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.

Most entitled parents I've ever seen. Does nothing but damage the businesses around it by having…read moreluxury cars blocking the whole road, both the limited parking for businesses and these people actually parking in the road blocking traffic in one direction. Ridiculous. Would be incredibly helpful if the schools traffic guards would do something about them lining up outside the school. This can't be that difficult.

We have been parents at this school since 2010 and have two BZ grads and one current lower school…read morestudent. Bottom line- this is a remarkable school. You will find top notch academics and your children will not only be very prepared to thrive in a rigorous high school but also have the social emotional skills, self advocacy and confidence to be a leader in their highschool setting and beyond. Our own kids are self starters, loyal friends, hard workers, engaged learners, and leaders and we attribute this to their schooling at Bernard Zell. The BZ early childhood program is spectacular. The thoughtfulness that has been put into the training of the staff and actual physical environment serves as a model of what an ideal developmentally appropriate pre-k program should be. Take a tour to see for yourself. I love the progressive flavor of this school. Our kids learn conceptual math, how to think analytically, how to be confident public speakers, how to work collaboratively with others and beyond -there is no route cookie cutter learning to be found. Other things we love about BZ: -This school has an awesome low to student teacher ratio and every single teacher my children have had has truly known their strengths and challenges and are invested in how to support them as individuals each year. -I love the growth mindset philosophy that you will see at every age level at BZ for making sure kids have "good struggles" and teaching them their brain is a muscle and while everything may not be easy at times that with dedication,persistence, practice and hard work (and accommodations from the teachers as needed) they can be successful. -We have loved that BZ has phenomenal resources for kids on every end of the continuum- kids who need a little extra enrichment will find it here and kids who need a little extra learning support will also find it at this school. - The school has a nice PE program ( the yearly rollerblading until in the school's gymnasium has been a definite highlight for my kids) . There is also a fantastic after school athletic program starting in 5 th grade which is included in tuition . Our kids chose to participate in soccer, basketball , volleyball and golf but there is also track, girls volleyball, and girls softball. Practices are typically offered 4 days per week ( but kids only have to commit to about 50 percent of those if involved in other extracurriculars.). The teams do surprisingly quite well competing with other local private schools , sportsmanship is emphasized, and it's a huge bonding experience for the kids ( the majority of students seem to participate in at least a sport even if they aren't stellar athletes ). For kids not interested in sports or who want to do some sports and some other activities, there are other cool offerings like robotic team ( one of my kids that and the annual competition was super fun to watch ) or lots of music extracurricular opportunities ( e.g jazz band, pit band for the school orchestra) - BZ has an extremely warm parental community. A long term teacher told us once that when your child goes to BZ, the whole family goes to BZ. That is spot on- there are so many ways to get involved here as parents and we feel we have made lifelong friends at this school. -We have loved affording our children a Jewish education. We aren't the most religious family and BZ has taken the pressure off of us to provide our kids with an excellent jewish education. My children who have already graduated are proud to be Jewish and have a strong Jewish identity. Sending our kids here was one of the best decisions we have ever made as parents. I highly recommend it !

We loved our time at Wee Care! If we hadn't moved out of the city, we would've been here for the…read morelong haul. As it was, our daughter was one of the first students at the 2nd location. The teachers and the front office care deeply about these kids and you can tell in the way they run the place. We would highly recommend that you send your kids here!

3 years ago, we enrolled our then-1 year old child in Wee Care's Diversey/Pine Grove location, even…read morethough it was a hike every morning from our place in Uptown. When Wee Care opened its Broadway location, we moved with them, and couldn't be happier. Our now 4 y.o. is still there as part of their pre-K program. Now, we have our second child (10 months) in their infant room. Fantastic school, great teachers, well organized, helpful in a pinch. None of that $10 fine for every minute you're late picking up the kids nonsense here! Good menus for the kids meals. Can't beat the included activities (Mr Joel music Thursdays and Super Hero Mondays). The organized sports with Mr. John on Fridays and (occasionally) yoga on Tuesdays are great add-ons. Send your child here. As great as it gets!

#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

Our family could not say enough great things about the staff at Tiny Giants Infant Center. From the…read moreresponsiveness of the director, Ileana, to the chef in the kitchen (making the food my son loves to eat), to the floater teachers, teachers and lead teachers, they are all SUCH WONDERFUL, HAPPY TO BE THERE, HARDWORKING PEOPLE. Sending your child off to daycare is hard to do, but when you know that the baby is happy, cared for, treated well and loved, is so worth it. When my son started at 6 months, he wouldn't eat his bottle like a normal baby... He had to be laying on a pillow getting sung to, or held a weird way to eat - and these teachers would do everything they could to get him to drink those bottles! Ms. Yuri in the Kiwi room really had a special knack with him, helping him to finish off his bottles. They help with age appropriate transitions and weening, as well as introducing solid foods. Everyone works at the pace you want to go. I just think this place is the best, and I will be sad to leave when my son transitions to the toddler facility. :(

Our son has been a student at the Tiny Giants Infant Center for the past year and has thrived…read more Every morning we drop him off with a big smile on his face as he darts off to sit in a teacher's lap or play with his favorite toy. I feel good knowing he spends his days in excellent hands where he is able to learn and grow. We also appreciate how Tiny Giants has cultivated his love of music, as music day with Mr. Ray is now the highlight of his week! Overall we love being part of the TG community and look forward to continuing our journey at the Uptown location next year.

We love ChooChoo! Having such trustworthy and caring childcare for our infant has made the…read moretransition back to work so much easier. The teachers are genuinely excited to see my child each morning, and I know he is in great hands while I am at work. We chose ChooChoo because of their emphasis on play-based learning and community, and it has not disappointed!

Mia and her team have crafted such a fresh and playful springboard for my kiddos first school…read moreexperience. Everyday is an adventure (great walks and activities). We even shout "HIIIII CHOOOCHOOO" every time we pass by in the car. Our youngest is in Locomotives (4-6) and is leaving soon for CPS. His expressive language has improved immensely and is absolutely ready for his next chapter. Thanks to Choo Choo. I don't write a lot of reviews, but small businesses- especially quality childcare/schooling is so important. They really rely on word of mouth so I'm spreading the word however I can. Thank you Choo Choo!

Our son has been going to Kids Future for the past year and we cannot say enough good things about…read morethe care he is receiving. A few highlights about why we love KFDC: 1. They keep the kids on a great schedule. Kids thrive on routine and the center has a great schedule that includes free play time, circle time, and a good amount of time for lunch and naps. 2. We've seen leaps and bounds development in our 3 year old during his time at KFDC. He can write his own name already and is even starting to read some short words and I think this is because of the learning repetition that they have in their daily circle time. 3. They regularly get the kids outside. There is a park nearby that they utilize regularly but will even get the kids out for a neighborhood walk if the playground isn't an option on a given day. 4. They use Procare to provide regular updates on your child's day. They send a lot of pictures and information so I feel updated on what my child does and I can also talk to him about his day when he comes home. 5. STAFF! We have seen minimal turnover during our time at the center and this is super important for kids at this age. We've been at other centers with higher turnover and seen it have a negative impact on our kids. Our son truly LOVES his teachers ad KFDC and it is nice to know they have been there awhile. 6. Price. They are an outlier in terms of affordable daycare in the area. For the level of care their provide their pricing is very reasonable. If you choose Kids Future as a care option for your child you are making a solid investment in your child's care and education.

We have had a wonderful experience at Kids Future Day Care Center. The staff is incredibly caring…read moreand supportive and work really well with parents to make them feel comfortable and keep everyone on the same page. Our toddler also clearly loves it there. He is always happy to arrive and we see him cared for and doted on by the teachers everyday. Communication is top notch with use of the app, email, and one on one conversation. The tuition includes food which really sets this apart from other daycares. The progress reports are also very helpful to make sure we're aligned on growth and development. Highly highly recommend Kids Future!

Our 2 year old started at Kids' Work last year after we switched from another local center. Our…read moreprevious daycare was fine--our son was safe and cared for, but we felt he wasn't getting enough mental stimulation, and our interactions with staff were inconsistent. Once we started at Kids' Work, we realized what we'd been missing. The staff is incredible. Every person we've met has been friendly, enthusiastic, and genuinely seems happy to be there. You can tell management supports their team because the teachers never seem stressed or burned out. It's comforting to know that positive energy trickles down to the kids too. Our son is always so excited to see his teachers and classmates. Every one of his teachers has been warm and knowledgeable--the kind of people who truly love working with children. Leidy, Dina, and Desire were wonderful in the infant room, and he absolutely adores his current toddler teachers, Sydney, Monica, and Ana. He talks about them constantly. We get consistent, clear communication from his teachers about everything that happens in the classroom. They sincerely celebrate milestones with us, and whenever we face challenges, they are quick to ask questions, troubleshoot, and share tips as appropriate. The curriculum is excellent. Music and Spanish teachers come into the classroom weekly, and every day is full of creative projects and plenty of outside time. The facilities are always clean, organized, and filled with high-quality toys. The admin team has also been incredibly helpful whenever we've had questions or concerns. For example, when we were worried about our son's transition to the toddler room, Lindsey took time to reassure us and share resources to make sure he was ready. Their advice was spot on--he thrived in the new environment immediately. Last but absolutely not least, the level of organization at Kids' Work is impressive. Everything from sick policies to daily classroom schedules is well thought out, clearly communicated, and consistent. Nothing slips through the cracks with this team--and everyone is safer, healthier, and more sane because of it. We feel lucky to have found this place. It's not the cheapest option, but if you're looking for a daycare that genuinely goes the extra mile, this is the one.

We sent our little 7 month old to Kids' Work with great trepidation, as any new parent would…read more However, we would have been a lot more nervous had Kids' Work not proactively prepared us for what to expect and do, from the very beginning. As a result, we went to Kids' Work and never looked back. The place really feels like one big family. The environment is clean and welcoming (cleaner than any other daycare we visited), every teacher and administrator knows our son's name (impressive!), we get frequent updates on the daily activities, and most important of all, our son loves it there! The bonds he created with his infant room teachers are so heartwarming to watch. The teachers go above and beyond every day to make the parents' lives easier, and those little things matter, a lot. I would recommend Kids' Work to anyone looking for a wonderful place for their child to grow and learn!