Maine West High School was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I graduated 2016 and at the…read moreschool I never experienced any of the things that the other reviews have discredited the school for. Maine West has an amazing Fine Arts program, and their theater is better every other high school I have been to. I wanted to post this because I saw Maine West wasn't being properly credited for its facilities. Also shout out to T-man, David Harmon, and Brian Kay. Just a few of the plentiful amount of great teachers at this school. Also I'm not a sports person, but there sports program is great as well. They pretty much have a good program for everything they do. Plus, Maine West has a lot of different students with different backgrounds. TLDR: Maine West is an excellent diverse environment where students can learn and have fun.

The whole place smells like mold. frankly, I was shocked and disgusted that this place is somewhere…read morekids have to spend a whole day. After stepping into some of the worst smelling rooms, I legitimately started gagging from the nasty odor reeking from every wall. This wasn't helped by the ridiculous humidity and heat.

My son is a student at this school and he loves it. It is a school for "gifted" children and while…read moreI hate that label it is what it is. The school goes from pre K-8th grade which is a great thing since the kids will be in one school until high school. It is a private school so it does cost quite a bit but it really is an exceptional school. Whether or not it's worth the money I can't really say. Personally, I would cringe at the price tag if Einstein himself were teaching my child. They just built a new building this year and it is amazing. So much better than the old building they were in. Lots of room and the capability to have more students, classes and teachers. Some pros: The facility is wonderful, the teachers are great and really care about the kids. Reading and math are based on ability, not on grade. So, if your 5-6 year old is reading like a nine-year old, they will be put in with those readers. The school isn't even "grade" based. there is no "1st grade", etc. It is level based. They have a GREAT fine arts program. Extensive art, music and drama programs that you won't find in a public school. Some cons: There is a bit of an elitist attitude there at times but I think it comes more from parents than the staff. There is a bit of communication problem with the school and the parents. There just doesn't seem to be a cohesive way for parents to get the information they need. If you're considering sending your child here, definitely sign up for a visit and a shadow day. Personally, as long as we can afford it, my son will be going to this school.

I recently graduated from SAA, and looking back just a couple years, I have to say that SAA has…read morechanged me a lot. I feel more confident and motivated, and I have made some amazing friends. One of the things about SAA that makes it unique is that the fact that you will do as well as the work you put in. As long as you take advantage of the local resources and have some self motivation to do well, it isn't hard to master the schoolwork and beyond. The teachers are willing to help if you are willing to ask, even when it comes down to academics beyond the classroom. For example, when I needed help for my High School application, or improving my SAT scores, my teachers were glad to lend me a hand. Also, I have to give props to the excelled math program that SAA offers. Where I initially did not enjoy math as a subject at all, SAA motivated me to improve my math ability. I eventually became part of the Math Team and found a passion for mathematics. SAA was a great choice for me, and I got a lot out of my experience.

Great School for Boys - grades 6 through 12. If looking for a great school to mold boys into young…read moremen this is the school for you ! They have many sports ( no football) and have a rigorous syllabus that will prepare your son for college!

My son attended the Dangerous camp and the Music Appreciation camp last summer. We were blown away…read moreby how much fun he had at Dangerous Camp -- the floor of the gym was covered in nerf bullets and the kids were decked out in safety glasses, the leaders seemed intelligent and fun, nobody behaved like sore losers when they lost competitions, they made everything really enjoyable... great experience. The music camp was super small but they accomplished a lot and my son, the youngest in the group-- still had a really positive experience. I was actually surprised because it's hard to make a tiny music camp fun when you don't know what instruments you're getting and what skill levels-- but they did a fabulous job. We kept in touch with a few of the students and they were great. We went to the open house for the school this year and looooved the headmaster's speech. It seems like a private school that actually sticks by their beliefs and doesn't only cater to rich parents. I was left with the impression that they have great integrity, and the people there were respectful, polite, and fun.

This school district sucks. They have unyielding and unreasonable rules that make learning…read moreimpossible. For example, they allow only 3 minutes for students at their junior high to run between classes and, you guessed it, they are not allowed to run. The students have to gobble down their lunch within 15-30 minutes or be forced to throw it away. In elementary school, they insist on non-standard methods and require the students learn all of these complicated and cumbersome methods. Despite exceeding the average on state-wide tests from being self/taught math at home, the student can still get a near failing grade in math just because the non-standard methodology doesn't make any sense. They also require a physical ID just to take your kid home if they get sick for example. This is despite Illinois being a digital ID state. The district doesn't take any input from parents on any of these. The only time they engage parents is for "deciding" on poor options that don't matter anyway. Now, the same district that doesn't listen to parents wants even more of our precious tax property dollars to spend anyway they want on their costly pet projects that do not include bettering education. If you try to call the superintendent, you basically just get told that this is what they decided and you can go and pound sand. If you have a kid in this district, find a way out! They don't care at all about you here and take the community for granted.

Maine South, my alma mater...where to start…read more.. Overall, I had a good time. I made my friends, and we hung out the four years. Drama with BOYZ and GIRLZ of course, but that is standard. I really liked the art department, and my hours there are some of the most pleasant from my teenage years. I agree with Dea A. that they could do more to accommodate the students who have plans that deviate even ever so slightly from the norm. My gripe is with the accelerated vs. regular track science classes. I hope this has changed since. In order to take an AP bio, chem or physics class, you must have 1 full year of bio, chem and physics. The accelerated science track conveniently offers accelerated classes in each of these subjects for a full year each. In the regular track, you take one full year of bio, then in your sophomore year, you take one half year of physics and one half year of physics. Then in your junior year, you take one full year of physics or chem. As you can see, if you're in the regular track, you end up with one year of bio, and then 1.5 years of chem (in my case) and .5 years of physics. Having consistently maintained a kick ass grade in chemistry in both my classes, I wanted to take AP chem, and all my chem teachers gave their approval. I was refused. Why? Because I didn't have that extra half year of physics. I was told that I could take a year of physics at a local community college (at my expense of course) to be allowed to take AP chem. Or you know, I could take geology with all the other regular track seniors. Thanks, but no thanks. They were just too lazy to actually help a bright student pursue their chemistry dreams...So that pissed me off, as you can see from this long review. Screw it all, I'm in law school now bitches! The dances were alright.

Cannot get ahold of anyone at MS. No call backs! Worst response from faculty (councilor) EVER!…read more My kid was failing a class.. . I've called 5/6 times NOTHING! Maybe because I don't give enough as a booster!

Preparing for the 2018 springfield illinois field trip…read more These guys know what they are doing.

Get new long-term substitutes they are so bad. They just don't do anything right at a moment that…read morethey need to.

This is my 5th year being a part of ICS. The teachers are great, the Front desk staff is awesome,…read moreand couldn't ask for a better principal! I have 2 children at ICS, and if there is an issue I have no problem getting a hold of a teacher. If the issue needs further attention, Mr. Amadei is quick to respond and very helpful. He looks out for what is best for the child and for the family!! Keep of the great work ICS!!

If you want a Great education for your son send them to this school. It's a GREAT school!!. My son…read morewent here for 4 year and he loved it. The brotherhood there is unbelievable with these boys they have a great bond with each other. They have excellent teaching staff and many clubs and athletic opportunities to be in. This school really prepares you for college. If I could give them 10 stars I would. I highly highly recommend this high school. GO DONS!!!!!!

Absolutely dreadful with inter School sports events. Complete mismanagement and delusional staff…read more Today I saw that they had restricted the bus throw Lane and were forcing them to make a multiple point turn around in what seems like a maintenance parking area with garbage cans and temporary fences. Then there were more metal temp fences which were clearly moved after the bus dropped off kids from a competing high school forcing the bus to literally drive into and manually move the fence panels all the while pointing fingers on with side of the bus to move into the opposite direction. I'm definitely letting my friends know about this. Staff is soo unorganized here. Not worth spoiling a Saturday afternoon over, or any other day. I can only imagine the confusion that other students here have to go through on a probably daily basis dealing with simpleton meathead culture like this.

Ok I dont hate the school but the only other review is 5-stars, so I MUSt balence it out (Look at…read moremy spelling, obv I'm not well educated, which is PROOF this school is not 5/5!) So anyways they are a rich school and that was nice, and like the other review said their water pool is BRRR. Also I smashed my chin on the water going from the high-dive, and it hurt really bad and I ALMOST cried. Chomba then held me and said "there there", so it was luckily all good. The teachers are kinda cool as the mean, but taking the average it is SUPER LOW. That tells you that there are mostly good teachers, but the ones that suck, SUCK SO BAD OMG. Like this one chem teacher screamed at my friend that she couldnt use the bathroom, like bruh was she so fat she didn't know what a period is like anymore????

The only thing chiller than the school is the pool water, that stuff's chilly. Yelp is telling me…read morethis review is too short but PHS has taught me better. I know I can be an over achiever and write enough for this to be a good, high quality review. In order to achieve my goals I will write a MEATC-never mind, yelp says it's average now, toodles!