Chicago Friends School

I am a substitute teacher. I have worked at 35 CPS schools and this one is my favorite. Great teachers, friendly and helpful staff, and very engaged Principal and AP! It is becoming difficult to get gigs at this school because word has gotten out and now everyone wants to sub here! Also, the students body is very diverse and the majority of the kids have been respectful, curious, and responsive to learning.

Both our children attend Peirce and we've had a positive experience here so far over the years. The IB curriculum and school community as a whole is organized and intentional. I feel that my students are receiving a good education from knowledgeable and thoughtful educators. Peirce offers resources and opportunities for students to be creative and grow as individuals as well. My hope is that my students continue to feel included and valued here, and that communication in the school community continues. They have just hired a new Principal, after the previous one retired, and I have found the administration and faculty to be professional and supportive. The parent community is also incredibly active, and that makes being a part of Peirce fun for all.

The worst school there is. Thank God I graduated from this school, but I wish I graduated from a different school, they did nothing for 8th graders, other schools took their students to six flags, New York, Washington, etc. they took us to the zoo. There are some good teachers but majority of the teachers just gossip, I personally overheard P with another teacher badmouthing the principal how she has no idea how to run the school and how she doesn’t know what she’s doing, even though she was not wrong, I just thought that conversation was inappropriate in front of students. Parents out there don’t bring your kids to this school, fights happen daily and almost always by the same bad students that face no consequences.

I was really excited to put my toddler in the early childhood program 3 years ago. His first year in Mrs. Erika's class was great. However, the next preschool class year included my child being in a mix class which turned out to be a nightmare. He was 4 years old in a mix class with 5 and 6 year olds. The mix class sounded great, I imagined all the great things he was going to learn and friendships that he would build since his previous class was great. However, the lack of supervision in the class was horrible. A few of the 6 year olds boys were teaching my 4 year old a bunch of inappropriate behaviors, exposing private parts consistently in class setting and outdoors while playing. My child was coming home with inappropriate behaviors and questions that were concerning to his mental wellbeing. I brought this up to his teacher, who barely did anything. Then I brought it up to the counselor, then the school administrator, who did absolutely nothing. The teacher told me that "exploring" in a safe place is "okay." I took my child out of there so fast. I'm sure not all the teachers think the same way, but you never know which teacher you will get. Kids go to school to get an education, play and learn to be kind not to learn sexual behaviors at 4 years old! I found out later that one of the 6 year old boys in the previous year was in a class with another kid who was doing the same thing. The school did not care to do anything, they tried to blame me for asking my child questions at home about what goes on at school. I would never let a child go here especially in early toddler years.

Rigid, unsupportive application of the Montessori philosophy. Ill equipped administrative team and overstretched teachers. School is constantly asking for money. Lovely parent community but the school is a mess. Our kid hated it and begged to leave.

This is our second year at NCA, and we feel so grateful to have found this school and community. Our child is flourishing and comes home feeling well supported each day. We are grateful for the connections we have made with other families and for the commitment of the staff. Excellent school with small classes and a focus on connection and belonging.