Coonley Elementary School

We are in our second year at Coonley and I have to say, I am thrilled with the education our son is getting. The teachers are excellent, creative, and passionate about their work and committed to the students. I absolutely love the principal. Earlier this year, my son was having some separation anxiety, and Mr. Z not only noticed, but took the time to talk to him and help him to feel better. My son loves him. He knows every student's name, and cares what the parents think. He is fantastic. I feel incredibly lucky to be part of this school!
--Submitted by a parent

my daughter is in the 1st grade options program at coonley and we a re very happy. coonley is a great community of parents and teachere led by Mr. Z. I cannot comment specifically on how Z interacts with the teachers, but he is on the playground every morning and knows the kids by name and seems to have a genuine concern for all the kids. I have seen Mr. Z sit in on a class for a while and he was sat right next to the students and engaged with them, and they were not at all afraid. We love Coonley and so does our daughter.
--Submitted by a parent

Hi! We have been through 4 CPS schools and Coonley is the best by far. Is it perfect no but what CPS school is? What makes Coonley great is a combination of great parents, great teachers and great administration. I am very involved with Coonley and have met with and dealt with teachers and administration at length. I have found them very caring and also open to new ideas. As a parent you can not ask for more. Mr Z. and Mr. Lazlo work at least 12 hours a day and you will always see them walking around and helping people. For the reviewer who had issues with Mr. Z, that is an anomaly not the norm. We feel really lucky to be part of the Coonley community.
--Submitted by a parent

The community around coonley is very nice and most of the parents have been great to be around. The teachers are excellent and the gentrification of the area ensure that there are lots of resources. As a parent of a child in the options/gifted classes I have to agree that all they do is teach the kids a grade ahead and they pile on the homework. But he is learning well. I have spoken to more than one parent who is not pleased with the principle Mr. Z and his leadership style with the teachers leaves a lot to be desired not much of a partnership. Some have described him as tyrannical. My son is terrified of him luckily he has never had to meet him for disciplinary reasons. If we were in a better financial position I would certainly chose a different school but we are fine and our son is doing well. The school is doing so well because of the work the of the parents teachers and the leadership of the previous principal. Mr. Z sometimes seems more like a politician than a principal but as long as our son is doing well and treated well we won't make any waves.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is first grade in the options program at Coonley. We have had such a great experience here from day one. From the teachers , super involved parents, to Principal Z and Mr. Lazlo, everyone makes us feel so at home , even though we are not from the neighborhood. Any concerns we have had as a group , the principal and teachers have worked out with us in such a positive way. I love this school simply because my daughter is so happy here. She tells me all the time . She has already made such great friends and I have connected with so many parents there from all walks of life, both in the options and neighborhood programs. Other than all wonderful things my daughter is learning and excited about , my favorite thing to do at Coonley (when the weather's nice:) is hang out after school in the beautiful playground / garden . The kids just play there and have such a great time , so naturally , like when I was a kid. What a great school!
--Submitted by a parent

Coonley has been nothing but a positive experience since my son started in PK with Ms Nancy and Ms Paula and now will enter 3 rd grade(,neighbourhood program) .He had been accepted to a Gifted program outside Coonley but we declined because of our wonderful experience at Coonley and don't regret a minute of it .Every teacher he has encountered has been a great mentor for my son and proud to see they have brought him to a straight A Honor Roll ... Thank you Coonley and continue the great work
--Submitted by a parent

I've never seen a more committed, caring and highly motivated staff than what we have at Coonley. Mr. Z, is an amazing principal who has a wonderful bond with the kids, parents, staff and community We've found it to be an incredibly nurturing environment. Regarding the Options Progam, having been in the program since its inception (3 years now)--this is absolutely a program that is all about critical thinking and depth of learning. My child loves learning b/c of all she gets from Coonley. Also the after school programs are fantastic!
--Submitted by a parent

When you compare Coonley to Chicago Public schools it is definitely far better. It is however, a public school where the classrooms are over crowded and the education is cookie cutter one size fits all and there is no room for outside the box behavior or thinking. The options program is not truly a gifted program where the children are taught critical thinking and in depth learning. It is merely accelerated where they throw large amounts of material at them to get them to be a grade or two ahead. The new principle can definitely get things done but I do not like his interaction with the children. My son did not find that he could fit in and the administration attempted to label him with all kinds of disabilities despite that thousands of dollars in psychological testing said he was absolutely normal. Just a little outside the box. He was severely punished for this and it has affected the outcome of this entire year. The teachers have so far been fabulous but the environment does punish anyone who isn't one of the masses. I wish our experience had been better and we tried but this place is not for us. We would rather a more progressive environment.
--Submitted by a parent

Coonley is a school where kids come to learn, and parents come to love, because of the involvement of the aides,parents, vice principal, teachers and community. Together things get done at Coonley.
--Submitted by a parent

Students are supported and have a positive environment where students are supported and have great experiences!
--Submitted by a parent