Clissold Elementary School

I am a parent of a kindergartener at this school. I am extremely happy with the teacher my son has. She is extremely caring and patient with the children. My son can not wait to get to school. She has really fostered his love of learning. A previous poster has said negative things about this teacher. I am not sure how much time she has spent there but I am there very often and have never seen anything that she is describing. She truly cares for these children. As for the field trip on the Metra, it was completely safe. I have done this many times before. There are enough chaperones so that there is an adult to every 3 to 4 children. Metra does not allow any other passengers on the cars with the students. It was a fun day and the children got to go and see the Harold Washington Library. To address the teacher aide. She is very good and is a much needed asset to this room. With 34 children it was very busy and hectic in the room. She is very sweet and the kids love her. I am very thankful that the LSC approved funds to hire her. In an ideal situation the class would be divided into 2 classes. This is not possible there is no room and no funds for another teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school the teachers really take time with each child. The monetsori program is the best. My son looks forward to school every day.
—Submitted by a parent

The reviews seemed dated about the school. There is a new principal, she is no-nonsense and moving the school forward. My daughter is in the montessori program. The teachers are wonderful. The curriculum is challenging but not over the top. Clissold is transitioning to the entire K through 5th grade into montessori. We love it!
—Submitted by a parent

Clissold is a school that is unstable when it comes to retaining good test scores and maintaining diversity. It needs a strong PTA. E.g. this year the test scores dropped by 5%. And the school is only 30% White in 2009, as opposed to 45% White in 1999. Clissold is having trouble keeping good teachers, find a stable principal and out of district students... They are even wearing uniforms the upcoming year! Clissold needs to take the route of nearby Sutherland and shape up or ship out. Despite all of this, the school does post the some of the highest test scores on the southside, and sends students to the selective enrollment schools every year (the year i graduated, 8 students went to Whitney Young)

I have two children at Clissold and I have never been more disappointed in a school. My daughter previously attended a high-level private school. Her standardized scores were in the 90th percentile. Recently, she was just tested on the ISEE, for independant private schools. Her scores dropped to the 60s and 50s. That's after three years at Clissold. I believe the school is unaccountable, even hostile, towards parents. The previous principal, Mr. Podsiadlik, was trying to make needed changes and was run out of the school by the PTA, LSC and staff. The staff wants status quo and not to be challenged on their skills. I regret having put my children in their care. This school is a microcosm of what is wrong with public education. My children will be in private schools this Fall.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a concerned parent of three Clissold students. Our new principal does not seem to respect the ideas of the staff. The atmosphere of the school is being ruined by this man. People have worked long and hard on an excellent neighborhood school to have it run into the ground.
—Submitted by a parent

I think Clissold is a great school they offer a strong focus on academic and my son enjoys the challenge which keeps me encouraged that my son is getting a competitive education.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school! My daughter has been a student for the past two years & I have seen a significant amount of improvement in her grades and study habits. Clissold has a rigorous curriculum and definitely prepares students to be successful in high school in making a smooth transition.
—Submitted by a parent

Clissold is one of the best school's in the morgan pak/beverly area its just the school has to many flaws like your child will come home with tons of homework even when I went to clissold it was just like this, if your child is being put in the 7th or 8th grade make sure there reading tecaher is mrs.clay she is the best she'll let your child know what to expect in the real world and she'll let your childs minds go to good work like plays and short stories.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been attending Clissold for two years now. The more he is there, the more negative things I learn about it. The principle picks and chooses what she will fix and what she will sweep under the rug. The stink starts at the head.
—Submitted by a parent

School and a great monessorry program. Good principal, gerat teachers. One of the only full day kindergardens
—Submitted by a parent

Clissold offers a montessori program, but student participation is selective and must begin in kindergarten and funding is separate from the rest of the school. There is an International Baclaureate program for the middle school. Updated books are needed. Actual school class sizes aprox 30. Spanish is the foreign language taught. H.S. Algebra is offered to some 8th graders. special ed program is good in theory, but parents have pay close attention to ensure that guidelines are followed. The PTA operates several activities and events. There is a good level of parental involvement. School security is good, but middle school students tend to have conflicts off campus walking home from school. Racial make-up of school is mixed. Some students transfer to private and Catholic schools by 6th grade. Middle school population has a higher percentage of minorities. Regarding teachers; some are dedicated some aren,t.
—Submitted by a parent

Montessori program is adequate for a public school and is working hard to become a more cohesive program.
—Submitted by a parent

The parent involvement is very high at Clissold. The academics are good but I personally think they pile to much homework and that their teaching is based to pass the ISAT and Iowa tests then it is to teach the children the subject they need to learn. If you have child that work independently and don't have any problems then this is the school for you. If you child lacks in any areas what out because they will most likely be ignored or passed on.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been attending Clissold for a year now, and has shown great improvement. I would recommend this school for anyone looking for a great environment for their kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 3 children at Clissold School right now. I cannot tell you what a wonderful education they are getting. Every one of the teachers they have had has been excepional. However I do feel that the Parents and students in the Montessori Program feel that they are better than the rest of us. If you want private education pay for it. I think the Principle has on a good job. She is only being critized by those who disagree with her. I do wish that more parents of the traditional program would get involved. If you want your kids to excel send them to Clissold.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a 1984 graduate of Clissold and now a parent of two who are current students at Clissold. I am more than pleased with my girls' progress. Their teachers are great and the girls are excelling far beyond my husband's and my expectations. Keep up the good work!
—Submitted by Kijana Jackson, a parent

Clissold is a terrific school. The teachers are outstanding and the administration works hard to make sure that all the children thrive in a positive learning environment. The diverse educational programs make Clissold School unique. Unfortunatley, what makes Clissold unique also makes parents, who do not get their way, bitter and angry. We are fortunate to have a wonderful staff and faculty who are willing to take risks in an effort to take Clissold to the next level. If the parents who commented so negatively in the previous statements are so unhappy, perhaps they should consider sending their children elsewhere. But, I suspect, they would have negative comments about any school where they did not get their way. I hope that more families will take a new look at Cissold School. You will be glad that you did.
—Submitted by a parent

Clissold is a once-great school, now in decline. The controlling, uncooperative and, sadly, dishonest principal, along with an LSC under her full control, have created a divisive, acrimonius environment where parents are afraid to speak up. (She yells, even cries, to get her way.) Several parents last year tried to warn us that things were in trouble, when the principal cancelled the 6th grade Montessori program. Unfortunately, many of us did not listen and now the handwriting is on the wall. The teachers at Clissold are generally outstanding, which is why our children are still there. But we have already begun our search for a new school, given that this principal doesn't show any signs of stepping down. Great teachers and smart kids are paying a heavy price for parents' silence. I wish I could sign my name to this, but I fear it would somehow hurt my child there.
—Submitted by a parent

In Sept. I attended the Open House expecting the typical motivational speech somewhere along the lines of getting the children to bed early, be on time and provide a quiet environment for homework. Instead our principal showed test scores that disappointed. The 3rd and 6th grades scores were OK considering the area, parental involvement and the high caliber of teachers. However, the 8th grade test scores were an embarrassment. Yet, our principal stood before us and made excuses for the test suggesting that something was wrong with it rather than accepting any blame or having and words of wisdom on how to improve these substandard scores. She stated that the school would be 100% on grade level in 2014. Has it occured to her that unless she makes some changes the same group of students will still be in attendance?
—Submitted by a parent