4783 Katrina
Swansea, IL 62226

We have been very impressed with the schools communication and support of our childrens academic progress. The elementary school also has a number of wonderful social events such as camping, pancake breakfasts, steam nights that allow the kids to socialize and learn. We have been very please with the entire experience at the elementary school.

I don't know why there's so many bad reviews! I have been going to Whiteside since 2016. It's pretty crazy on the bus.

Looking at the reviews and having graduated a couple year earlier, I can confirm that Belleville East HS is an above average school. Many of the staff give it their all to make the school welcoming and a safe environment. They offer many ap, art, and trade class, learning and mental health awareness programs, and some counseling services. I have personally known and am people whom have been helped by these initiatives to stay in school, do better in school, and persue a higher education. While there's too many teachers to make an overarching statement but most are very smart, kind, and seems to genuinely enjoy teaching. One thing in particular I saw helped the most people was J.B.'s "mental-health days" which were basically just a couple of free excused absences (first one is completely free, then you're offered the mental counseling services) for every student every so often which students here often used them for general emergencies, mental breaks, and even to cram studying when desperate. Many of the teachers and staff were understanding and helpful when it came to these. At this school the schools counselors, teachers, and social staff genuinely want the students to succeed and often are very good at their jobs. There many many programs at the school and West Belleville Highschool (same district) aimed to help students succeed in every way and, arguably equally important, programs and policies to make the aforementioned programs accessible. Unfortunately many students have been through a lot from many factors (covid, financial hardships, etc.), so many of those issues that come with troubled kids arise (fighting, more likely to drop out, suspectable to addiction, stress, and depression). However even in a decent sized school, most of the staff are well aware of these issues and will often try to help students at the root of their problems and are no strangers to volunteer work and fund raising. Overall: While it could do with more funding and staff itself, it is definitely using it well. And many of the staff are very good.