Children Rendez Vous

The principal is horrible and never takes time to meet with parents. The current principal is vindictive and unresponsive to the needs of both parents and students.

This school, like many, has great potential. The problem is all staff need stronger support from the network level. Professional development is lacking as teachers and admin are not implementing effective strategies for instruction, grading, SEL, or creating open and consistent communication with parents. The teaching aids are not equipped to support students in positive ways. The administration are friendly but don’t hold staff accountable.

Ray has let me down as a loyal student. Its a dirty school, and the lunch sucks. If I could give it a 0, I would. 1. Bad education, the teachers are mean.2. The bathrooms are dirty, there's writing on the walls, the cafeteria has crumbs everywhere and it isn't clean. The floor is dirty and whenever I go to eat the tables are filthy.3. The hot lunch. It has no nutritional value and looks like its pulled from a garbage can and then thrown carelessly into a microwave, and sometimes they serve uncooked food.And there are school fights almost everyday.And one time there was some creepy guy filming us at recess (like a complete stranger), we told the dean and they did nothing. The man continued to take pictures and videos.Please don't send your child here.

Ancona is an incredible, loving, caring community and a great place for a child to learn and grow. The teachers meet children where they are and have a sharp eye for their needs, and are ready with a wide variety of strategies to help them thrive.Academically, Ancona leverages is resources to create a curriculum which I’m convinced is like no other in the world. Their outdoor classrooms inspire children toward the sciences and beyond. The curriculum also weaves together rich and unique subjects on black history, social Justice and the arts, such as in the afrofuturism unit in grades 1-2. Yes, these gifted teachers have found a way to teach that material to that age group.Music, art and foreign language education all draw on and strive toward excellence. Music education extends into their excellent afterschool program, with guitar and piano lessons available as well as many other activities such as chess club and competitive sports for the older children.We moved here when our son was an infant. Chicago did not feel like home. Ancona has had a major hand in flipping that scenario 180 degrees. Now our son is 7 and we are so happy and proud of what the Ancona community has afforded to him and to our family. We could not be more grateful to this unmatched group of faculty, staff, students and parents. Thank you Ancona.

Akiba Schechter is an incredible school with dedicated, committed, passionate faculty. The students are very capable and are challenged to grow and learn while supporting the community and friendships.