CICS Irving Park

Parents of 2, soon to be 3 children, 5th, 3rd, and incoming kindergartener. This is an active, engaged, and involved body of students, staff and parents. The scores speak for themselves. Number one charter school in the city of Chicago. Great place if you're looking for a healthy learning environment, an engaged staff and the prospect of your children getting a college-bound foundation. CICS Irving Park is for you.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of 2 students at this school, and we are so happy we got into CICS-IP. We've declined spots at other in-high-demand schools since we started here, as we feel it is the best elementary sch for our children. The teachers & staff are extremely dedicated, educated, professional & approachable, plus they promote excellent social skills among students. The children & their parents are welcomed at the sch plus their opinions & input are valued. Each day, my children are happy to go to school & in the evening they recount how good their days have been. They are learning at a pace faster than many public & private schs due to the high quality advanced educ, the targeted teaching per each student's abilities & the fun environment. They appreciate the wide curriculum avail to them incl Spanish, Science, Art, Music, Gym, plus the excellent optional extra-curricular activities. As working parents, we also appreciate the longer sch day, less sch days off, and competitively priced after-school care. It is also great that parent involvement is appreciated & encouraged, as more social & after school events are being organized so both kids & parents can participate more if they wish.
--Submitted by a parent

The director before this year was terrible. We were considering leaving the school but our son was doing SO well that was the only thing that kept us there. Now, we love it. The new director (principal) is fantastic! We get constant communications, she is extremely responsive, and everything just seems better. My kids are doing really well and are doing work almost a year ahead of my friends' kids at other schools. I'm not sure what the parent with the bad science grades was referring to since those scores were just published and were great! Also, there has been some staff turnover, but the new teachers are not new grads. My son's new teacher has years of experience as have all the ones he's had so far, so that parent is not informed. The former director was NOT popular with the teachers either, so that may have had something to do with the turnover. Hopefully we won't see that as much going forward.
--Submitted by a parent

This is an amazing school that we are very fortunate to be a part of. CICS Irving Park was just rated the top scoring Charter school in the City of Chicago! Not only is it a high performing school, but the director, staff and teachers are all deeply committed to offering a differentiated learning experience to each and every child. They all also care deeply for each child and greet them warmly each morning. The attitude of the children is also one of caring and respect, from K through 8th grade, which is rare. In addition to being academically rigorous, the school offers full-time art, music, gym and spanish as part of the curriculum for all grades. They have computers in every classroom and the children are tested regularly to identify areas of strength and weakness. The school also has a very involved and passionate group of parents who have initiated many events, fundraisers and programs including a school garden, chicken coop and school composting program! It is truly a wonderful, nurturing and hands-on community for our child, who is excelling academically, socially and emotionally. We love CICS Irving Park!
--Submitted by a parent

This school has actually improved now that last year's director left the school and the assistant director took over her position. I received regular news emails from the new director, something I never once did in previous years from the old director. Every now and then I receive a reminder email about the school not being responsible for calling parents about picking up children on time on early dismissal days - at least we get an email now. I'm giving the teachers a 4-star rating instead of five stars because although they work long hours, we have an incredibly high turnaround of teachers every year. This must have a huge impact on the quality of education since most of the newcomers are new graduates. I believe it can and should be better, especially at a so-called "school of choice" as administration likes to reiterate every time they have the opportunity. In addition, last year's science test scores came back - not impressive what so ever! So overall, CICS Irving Park is NOT a superb school as some parents may paint it for you. If you have other options, look into those first!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I highly recommend CICS Irving Park. My son goes to the school and he is receiving an excellent education. He is tested regularly and, using the scores and understanding my son, his teachers make appropriate quarterly goals for him. In addition, reading scores are translated to a lexile score. I can then use that score to choose books that are appropriate to his reading level (and also help him push his reading level). In addition to the educational aspects of the school, I have been impressed by the dedication of the teachers at the school and the administration. Teachers are very accessible and open to parent suggestions. They are dedicated and energetic. If I have a question, I email a question and I get a quick reply. I see teachers and administrators on email over the weekends and in the evenings tending to school business and to my questions. Teachers and administrators work long hours for the good of the school. Parent involvement is very much encouraged and welcomed. If you have an idea, that idea is embraced and you can take ownership of it and execute it. As a parent, you very much have a "say" at this school (much more so than might happen at a regular CPS school).
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the parent who commented on CICS Irving Park's director. I attended a school function once, and saw her wearing the most inappropriate clothes for school. She was wearing a halter top with a bare back. It was a swag-type back that landed nearly at her waist. She wore a mini-skirt, the kind that is in style and appropriate only for teens which was definitely shorter than the two inch above the knee rule. Ridiculous! She is supposed to be a role model to so many girls in the school. How can the dress code be enforced when she dresses in clothes that should only be worn to night clubs? I have daughters and I do not want them exposed to that kind of unprofessional behavior and lack of common sense.
--Submitted by a parent

CICS Irving Park teachers are wonderful. They will provide what is promised by the organization's mission statement. With that said, the school has it's downfalls as well. One downfall to this school is the director. The director is the most inaccessible head of school that I have ever known. So if you have to speak to her, forget it because it will get as good as the assistant director. Also, if you are late to pick up your child, you will be charged $1 per minute! I have been told horror stories by parents who have had to pay over $100 dollars because for one reason or another they were unable to pick up their child(ren) on time. This mostly happens on Wednesday since kids are dismissed at 1:50 on this day not the regular dismissal time of 3:30. The school will not make a courtesy call to remind you that your child is still waiting to be picked up. They claim it is not their responsibility to call. So, imagine if you have two or three kids and you pick them up just thirty minutes late--you do the math! Oh and the late fees must be paid otherwise come report card pick up day, you will not be given the privilege to take your child's report card home. Inform yourself first!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I love is school! Best school in the city...The most wonderful and caring teachers. They go above and beyond to help my child. I wish I had a school like when I was growing up in the city!
--Submitted by a parent

We have been here since the school opened in 2007, the first kindergarten class. He is now in 3rd grade and excelling beyond what we could imagine. We are so happy we made the right choice for our son.
--Submitted by a parent