The school over-delivers on its promises. According to the website, there are services that Cambridge provides, but never delivers on its promises. The afterschool program is suppose to have engaging activites like puppetry, gym time, arts and crafts. There is no budget for the program. The teacher has to purchase materials from her own pocket. Students become so frustrated with the lack of engagement. The school promises an individualized learning plan, Spanish, drama and art. Spanish was never offered. I never saw an individized learning plan. The students do lots of worksheets throughout the day. The school also engages in practices that are not listed in the handbook. They charged parents with infractions for their students not wearing the entire uniform. Yet, this "monetary infraction" was never stated in the handbook. read more

Honest review of Cambridge. This review is to provide you with info I wish I had when making my enrollment decision. There is both "good" and "not so good" at that school. There are some serious issues that I hope improves. But as a parent, do your research, ask prying questions, talk to current parents if you can. Teachers/Curriculum Great, our kids are challenged and growing educationally. Many of the teachers have a real passion for these children. Their hearts are in it and it shows! Culture Absolutely love the Christian component. You'll see kids praying at the start of class as well as weekly chapel with singing and praising Facilities/Staff Administration is lacking. School is largely unstaffed other than teachers. Many times I've shown up to school to pick kids up and have found them running through the hallways unsupervised. (Teachers go home at 3:30 sharp!) I know of at least one child that was seriously injured and knocked unconscious while playing unsupervised. Not secure/safe. The door has a buzzer and intercom but there is no way to verify who is entering the school. Press the intercom, they ask "who is it" and you can say almost anything, they will buzz you in. Not safe. A camera system should be added to the school, Amazon sells them for very cheap Gym Unheated in the winter time, uncooled in the summer time. VERY uncomfortable and there are no plans to correct the climate. Parents have voiced concerns about this for years but have been largely ignored by administration. In the summer time, the kids are walked to a nearby park (sometimes through an alley!!) where they were approached by dogs. Thankfully no one was injured Leadership (or lack thereof) There is no strong leadership presence at the school. Due to several scandals involving the current headmaster and inappropriate relationships with parents/staff, the board of the school is looking to replace him. Before the scandals, he seemed disconnected from the day 2 day anyway. Some days he's approachable, other days not so. It's unfortunate, because we're all paying for a private education and should feel comfortable in approaching leadership with questions and concerns. Even when concerns are shared, there is rarely any serious follow up, we don't even get an acknowledgement of "I have received your feedback" Just dead silence No lunch served You have to provide your own lunch - but there's no refrigerator for storage and no microwave for re-heating food. (Huh?!) This isn't 1984 Communication Issues Mid-year, rumors were spread regarding a large tuition increase. Parents sought out headmaster to find out if it was true. He avoided the topic and didn't address it for almost a month, forcing parents into the school's imposed re-enrollment deadline without information needed to make a re-enrollment decision. Then the headmaster held a meeting where he condescended and sniped at the parents, dodged questions, then ultimately confirmed the tuition increase. Apparently, the school is running a deep deficit. The "Cambridge Board" (consisting of the headmaster's dad, brother and cousin) were brought in to discuss tuition and integrity issues with school leadership and plans for the future. Tons of empty promises were given by the board, with no follow through or delivery Mass Exodus of current parents In talking with several parents in passing, communication issues, scandals, a disengaged headmaster who smiles on Mondays, condescends on Tuesdays, ignores parents on Wednesdays...is a bit too much. Many committed parents who have been at Cambridge for multiple years, have refused to reenroll their kids at Cambridge. Some parents have taken their kids out of school mid-year due to so many issues. The kindergarten class lost at least 4 students throughout the year Aftercare/Ambassador's club This is nothing more than a babysitting service where kids run around the gym, watch movies and sometimes do their homework. Many times, the homework is incorrect as the aftercare staff doesn't seemed equipped to help the children adequately. Overall, be careful of what's promised. Like the rest of the parents, you'll be told of all the grand things that will be offered to your child. Some of it will be delivered, but based on my experience, much of it won't.... Be careful, go in with your eyes wide open read more

I first heard about the Cambridge School of Chicago through my neighbors. Every time they saw me, they gave rave reviews for this school, where 2 of their children still attend. My older daughter was already enrolled at one of the considered, "top performing" schools in Hyde Park. As the year passed, my husband went on a tour of the school and loved it! So then I had my neighbors and my husband constantly telling me about this school at this point. I was reluctant to look at another school because of all the hard work we put into getting our daughter into her current school at that time. Also, I did not want to get into the habit of moving my daughter around too much. But I eventually went on a tour of the school and loved it! Also, as that school year came to an end I was dissatisfied with the level of academic rigor and she was not socially engaged. So I decided to give the Cambridge School of Chicago a try, but through a test run through their academic camp. I remember my daughter, who was entering the 1st grade at that time, received homework everyday. As I reviewed her homework, I noticed the level of material was much higher than that of her previous school. But the moment that helped me make my final decision for the upcoming school year, was the day (during the first week of camp) I saw my naturally shy daughter playing basketball with a group of kids. And as she left, her new friends ran over to her to give her a hug good bye. That showed me, not only are the academics solid but the environment for the kids there is so inviting, that even a shy kid will open up naturally in a short period of time. A few years later, I now have 2 kids attending the Cambridge School of Chicago. They both are challenged academically, they receive the word of God through teachings from the Bible and they are comfortable in a loving, structured environment. I am thoroughly satisfied with the Cambridge School of Chicago. read more

One of the hidden gems in Chicago. The Cambridge school provides individual attention to every student in the school. The spirituality holistic approach to classically education is a huge plus for our family. Many student a have graduated from here and was accepted in the top high schools and universities in the nation. I would strongly consider The Cambridge school as an option read more

My child has flourished academically and socially at The Cambridge School of Chicago. This was a great choice for our family.

Cambridge is an island of excellence in a sea of mediocrity! We were looking for a school that would give our child a rigorous academic education as well as a strong spiritual education. Cambridge was the only school which had that winning combination. It's not perfect (and in our experience no school is), but the staff work hard and the students at this school are happy. read more

This is my son's 1st school experience. We felt the love and care from his teacher from the minute we walked into the classroom for a visit. The teacher's assistant even felt more like family that someone "working" for the school. We have been blessed this 1st year and my son has grown leaps and bounds educationally and in his appreciation and knowledge of God. The bible teacher was exceptional in helping him (at age 4) embrace memorizing scripture and understanding (for his age) how to see God in everyday life! These aspects have been edifying for our whole family! read more