St Thomas Of Canterbury

This school is not recommended. Don't risk your child growth and development by taking them to this school. Horrible

Disney Magnet School has become significantly worse since Dr. Riskus took over as principal. The administration is more focused on lowering the number of students who are reported to have discipline against them than in keeping classrooms safe and keeping learning moving forward and effective. There are regular fights in many of the classrooms, even at young grades like 1st and 2nd grade. Teachers are told not to stop them and rather to call security. However, when security or administration takes a student out, they are almost immediately returned to the classroom and neither administration nor social work does anything to try to reduce the conflict or hold the children who fight accountable. Dr. Riskus and the various floor principals are ineffective at running the school. It is time for a major administrative change.

Goudy is one of those amazing neighborhood schools where the teachers, staff, and leadership truly care. You feel it at every school event and from the kids who are genuinely excited to go to school there every day. It's one of the most culturally and racially diverse schools in the entire CPS system, and they prioritize the needs of the community (i.e., they actually welcome newcomers and immigrants, unlike other area schools that have turned them away and placed an over emphasis on teaching kids to test well rather than creating engaging and healthy learning environments that help all community members). The school was also just awarded a "Top Magnet School of Excellence" status by Magnet Schools of America, and was just one of three schools in the entire state to achieve this recognition—proof that academics, alongside of healthy learning environments, are equally prioritized here. As others have said, the school also has many amenities and programs that other schools of its size do not (tech lab, 3D printers, two full size gyms, rock band / battle of the bands, music class, drama class, a full size library, etc.). Overall, we have been extremely happy with our choice to send our kids to Goudy, and highly recommend other parents in the area look into this under-the-radar gem as well.

As a new parent to the district we were incredibly happy to see how warm, engaged and helpful the teachers and teaching support staff, are with each child. While I am not sure administration supports the teachers/staff as much as they should, each teacher we have worked with goes over and above for their students. The kindergarten class reached 32 students before it was split. As parents we were unsure how a teacher would be able to effectively educate and why administration allowed this to happen without adequate support in place. Ms. Aragon handled the situation with grace, kindness and professionalism. She truly cared for and fought for what is in the best interest of each of her students. Ms. Aragon is a 10-star teacher in every possible way! The entire preK/K branches staff is the best elementary experience we have ever encountered. A few excellent educators; Mr. Kyle, Mr. JB, Ms. Moloney, Ms. Koloba, and so so many others that unfortunately I don't know their names. Also the security team in both buildings are phenomenal and greet children by name with excitement. I do believe that the upper administration are good people however it seems apparent that in every school it is parents/teachers against administration instead of working together. Budgets and policies seem to rule upper administration instead of the best interest of each student.

I am a student a McPherson so I will be writing from a student standpoint. In my year of going to McPherson I have went through countless teacher some but not most of them Made excited to learn. But I will say the family engagement is amazing the family are very involved and participants in many fundraisers. Special education at McPherson I can not talk about really because I am not in special education classes but from my point of view the treatment of the students in special education is decent as I said before I can not really can not talk about.

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.

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.