Chopin Elementary School

My child attended half-day PK-3 last year. She loved her experience there, and we were impressed by how much learning could be done in just 2.5 hours a day. Previously she had been at home with a nanny or parent. She learned concepts that I hadn't learned until Kindergarten or 1st grade back in the 1990s, like syllables, phonics, etc. Her teacher and classroom assistant were warm, engaging, responsive, and welcoming, and they adapted very well to a class that varied in its makeup in terms of prior knowledge and experience outside the home. The preschool reflected the diverse country in which we live - Black children, Latino children, white children, recently arrived immigrants, children with special needs, etc. That's a wonderful thing; the kids learn so much from one another. In my observations, the children integrated well as they learned and played together. I noticed no divisions and my child never mentioned any. As white people, our child was a minority at this school, and we had zero issues with that; no one ever made us feel unwelcome and she wasn't teased or anything like that. What stands out the most to me about this school is that it is such a warm and welcoming community. I am not exaggerating when I say in the entire year we attended this school, I never encountered one staff member - whether a teacher, office clerk, security personnel, or janitor - who had a bad attitude. They really mean the "Community" part of the name José De Diego Community Academy. The school received a large influx of Spanish-speaking immigrant children towards the end of the school year, and it was impressive to watch the whole school mobilize and pull together to try to support these kids. There are many bilingual staff. In my daughter's class alone, the kids spoke English, Spanish, Ukrainian and Polish! However, we ended up transferring to our assigned neighborhood school (which does not offer a PK-3 program) albeit with broken hearts. We really miss Diego but think our child's long-term academic needs will be met better at a school with a dedicated Gifted program, and this school does not currently offer that. However, I'm confident that if more families give this school a try, we will see the test scores rise just as they did in the nearby neighborhood schools, Pritzker and Pulaski and Burr over the last decade. And if my child's new school doesn't add a PK-3 program, I will without hesitation send my second child to De Diego for PK-3.

Pros: -There is only one class per grade. The class sizes are bigger since many migrants got here but the kids still thrive academically, in my opinion.-Most of the kids seem to get along really well and within the last 3 years that my child has been here, I haven’t heard of a single fight. -Biggest pro is the kindergarten teacher; she’s the best. I was worried that my child may be a bit behind when she started school because she didn’t attend preschool. My daughter went from uninterested in learning at home, to reading on a second grade level, within months! I promise the teacher is AMAZING! CONS:-The administration is absolutely HORRIBLE! From the LAZY front desk clerk, counselor, to the principal. I’ve never actually had any issues with the principal, beside from her ignoring the two emails I sent her, but many other parents and even staff say that she’s not the best to deal with. -My daughter needed speech pathology and from what an outside pathologist told me, CPS has 60 days to offer this service to her. It’s been three years and it still hasn’t been addressed, despite me reaching out to them several times. We had to seek outside counseling. -It’s the only Ukrainian speaking school in Chicago and they have no problem showing favoritism to those students. -Some of the Russian/ukrainian parents are extremely rude and for some reason act as though they’re entitled.-Incidents are never reported to parents. CPS requires schools to fill out an incident report if your child is injured at school. My child has come home telling me that she was involved in incidents that were never reported to me. Thankfully, the Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers were pretty good with informing me of incidents, but if something happens at lunch, recess or afterschool, you may never hear about it from the staff! -There is only one class per grade. I listed this as a pro but it can also be a con…same kids every year…not always good for the child, especially if there are issues. -White privileged ppl in the neighborhood allow their dogs to poop on the playground (in the fake grass-like flooring)…disgusting! Sometimes it’s still there when the kids arrive. IMO, they need a gate to keep them out or cameras. -Not enough diversity for black students when it comes to culture. -No languages taught besides English (ESL).-Not enough extra curricular programs. -The school is last min with everything. They inform you of events days before & it’s annoying.-Uniforms…ugh!

Excellent life experience. Graduated from the class of 1956. I am proud to say I went to school in Chicago, Illinois.

Pros: friendly and small school community, nice family events throughout the year, committed teachers, great parent community Cons: declining quality in past 5-10 years, admin (one) generally resistant to parent feedbackThere's a very inconsistent student experience from teacher to teacher. My kids experienced multiple teachers at the school. No longer a strong vision for taking the school to the next level. Unfortunately not all admins treat parents with respect or as partners in education. There are also some fairly inequitable fundraising practices. Kind people at the school, but learning quality has declined in recent years. Parents don't receive much support when approaching admin with problems (at least one admin is fairly arrogant). At one time, the school ensured solid teaching for all learners. No longer the case.

In this school discipline is out of control. They practice restorative discussions but chronic behaviors and violent behaviors are done by the same students. Students who are continually out of control and are black are not receiving consequences based on their actions but on their race and continue to abuse.it is about policy and not being just. It is about appearing great on paper but it is not truthful because a lot has not been disclosed. When you walk in the building the kids are everywhere. They are disrespectful to each other, to the staff as well. It looks like chaos. Administration just does not take initiating and let the teacher care thr burden of handling It all. It is depressing.

Our son is attending kindergarten at St. Helen, and we have been extremely pleased with his experience. He is making strong progress in reading and math while still having ample time for play (he loves the Hot Wheels!), creativity, and hands-on projects. We appreciate the small class sizes and the wealth of experience of his teacher and co-teacher.The specials program is excellent, with PE, music, and art offered twice weekly, along with Spanish and technology. We value the balanced approach to technology—he is learning computer skills without excessive screen time. My son also benefits from a daily quiet rest/nap time. Although he does not yet participate in after-school clubs, we are impressed by the variety of affordable offerings. Overall, St. Helen has provided a well-rounded, supportive kindergarten experience, and we are glad we chose it for the personalized attention it offers.

After years of reflection, this review underscores significant disappointments with st nicks administration and operations. As a former student myself, I held the institution to a high standard, only to find it fell short in critical areas.Key concerns include: Ineffective Administration : The school's leadership failed to deliver on promises, particularly in handling family arrangements like tuition exchanges. What was presented as "helpful" support devolved into burdensome obligations that exacerbated personal and familial stress. Questionable Decisions : The arrangement for exchanging labor for education proved inadequate and exploitative, especially given the intense demands it placed on our family. This contributed to a toxic environment. This includes an ongoing unprofessional relationship with the schools receptionist from the time my children attended. I will leave that up to the reader’s interpretation. Impact on Education and Family : The decision to enroll was initially practical due to limited options in local public schools, but it ultimately led to division and discord. My ex-partner's negative remarks about the school and our children's education highlight deeper systemic flaws that undermined the learning experience.In summary, while the school may have served as a temporary solution, its administrative shortcomings and lack of genuine support make it unworthy of recommendation. Families deserve better—transparent, equitable policies that prioritize children's well-being without adding undue pressure. The Archdiocese itself was surprisingly responsive and assured me that no school under their umbrella would tolerate such ethics lapses.