McPherson Elementary School

chappell elementary is a wonderful neighborhood school that we feel incredibly lucky to have in ravenswood. as a world language magnet cluster school, every student studies spanish, which adds so much depth to their education. native speakers have a heritage language program to build on their existing skills, while non native speakers in grades six through eight complete the equivalent of a first year high school spanish course.the arts programming here is truly impressive. students have opportunities in music, visual arts, and even participate in musicals. they also get to explore multiple instruments, which is not something every school offers.what really sets chappell apart are the hands on environmental education programs. students learn through gardening and even beekeeping, which are supported by the amazing friends of chappell group. these experiences help students connect with nature in meaningful ways.not sure if most people know this but academically, the school ranks quite high and has particular strength in science. chappell was recognized with thrive awards in both 2021 and 2024 for its positive impact on student learning, which says a lot about the dedication of the teachers and staff.there is also a wide variety of extracurricular options like sports, chess, garden club, and computer club, all of which contribute to a well rounded experience for our daughter.for families who need it, the school offers very early before care and an after care program as well. this kind of support makes a big difference for working parents.if you are curious about getting involved, the friends of chappell is a very active and welcoming parent community that plays an important role in the school’s success.

School places strong emphasis on academic excellence, including regular homework assignments, weekly quizzes and tests. Teachers are involved and very supportive,. New principal - Mr. Guerrero is successful in promoting academic discipline and parents' involvement. There is a zero-tolerance policy on bullying. My two children attend Ravenswood Elementary and I have seen steady improvement in school's academic ranking over the 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.

I am thrilled to recommend NPES to families as it is a place that really centers and cares about children. As a small, independent school it is able to be responsive and nimble and I have seen so many excellent additions to the program in recent years. This is truly a gem of a school in a challenging chicago landscape.

If you’re looking for a welcoming, inclusive community where your child will have personalized attention from teachers who care about your child, then Pilgrim is definitely the school for you. We were not happy at our previous CPS school. Our daughter wasn’t happy, she felt ignored, the focus on timed tests (in 1st grade!) made her anxious and she started to not like school. Since we moved to Pilgrim, she has absolutely thrived. Her love for learning is due to the amazing teachers at Pilgrim. She’s a straight A student, scoring in the 90th+ percentile in both reading and math. She’s in her 8th grade year and Mrs. Andreen works one on one with each student to prepare them for the high school application process. She’s been a lifesaver! Our younger daughter loves her teacher as well. I love the care and support she has provided to my youngest and as parents we love the fact that we can communicate easily with teachers. They are very supportive and responsive (which was not our experience at CPS). It is also by far the most affordable private school option. There’s no way we could have afforded the other private options on the north side. Pilgrim’s like a hidden gem. I can’t say enough good things about our tiny but mighty school community!