Disney Elementary Magnet School

I have two children at Disney, my daughter is a 4th grader and my son is in 1st grade gifted; both my children started at Disney as 3 year olds in the Tuition Based Pre-School. The teachers, staff and administration have always been great to my kids and my family. Some of our closest friends are other Disney families. My daughter and son have each been challenged by their respective curriculums. Whenever I have had concerns about my children's academic performance, their teachers have always addressed them and we worked together to help my children improve. Whenever my children have been hurt or gotten sick at school, I get a call immediately and my worry is alleviated because I know that the nurse or clerks will take care of my children until I can get them. Before enrolling your child at Disney, be sure to tour the school and make sure it's a good fit for you and your child. Academics always comes first at Disney. It's a large school with a lot of rules and an open learning environment (Pod system). It's up the each family to make connections with other families. Many things that work at small schools do not work at Disney. Ask lots of questions before enrolling your child.
—Submitted by a parent

My son was challenged in Kindergarten. Differentiated reading groups helped him read. Our son's teacher was excellent in making sure he was challenged and even went beyond the scheduled coursework to make sure the class was ahead. They do MAPS testing to find out the individual students strengths and weaknesses in math and reading. Many after school activities and field trips. Very impressed with the teamwork that is involved here. Floor directors are responsive to parent's concerns. They are stricter on rules here since it is approx. 1600 students but it works to make sure there is order in the student population. The diversity of the student body is a definite plus. It is a good representation of the many cultures in Chicago. I'm proud to have my son be part of this academic community.
—Submitted by a parent

I was initially very excited about Disney. There are indeed some good teachers. However, I have found the school to be diifficult, offensive and poor in terms of dealing with my son who has a physical ailment. I was terribly disappointed in the treatment given to him, as well as towards me. I have also seen teachers screaming at children, which was unreal. In my opinion, there seem to be some significant cultural orientations towards power over relationship and I seriously question staff morale at the school. Many staff, both teachers and administrators seem angry. It is too bad, as I was really hoping for more. Also, agree with others that non gifted classes are not so strong.
—Submitted by a parent

My son started with the school this year (in Kindergarten) and we are very pleased so far. His teacher is great and the principal is an amazing leader (I haven't seen any unfriendliness but she does come across as no-nonsense, which I think is an asset in a school this size). We have felt very welcome with the school and I like the disciplined approach. We were worried about my son not adjusting well to the pod system because he has always been sensitive to loud noises but he has not had any issues with it. I was surprised at the homework and focus on testing so early but I don't think that is specific to this school--that's just the way things are these days. I wish the kids in the tuition based afterschool got some extras such as Chinese or chess. Also it would be nice if they taught language to non-gifted classrooms, but I understand the need to focus on the basics. Overall we are very happy and our son has learned a lot and made some good friends.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children here and this is my third year with Disney and I would recommend Disney to anyone! Every year that I have been here, they have introduced new programs and software to help the children succeed. Their emphasis on eduction, supervision, and technology is unmatched as far as I am concerned. There has not been a meeting that I have attended where the principal didn't take a few minutes to stop by and speak to parents and ask if they have any questions or concerns for her. She is amazing! The only concern that I have is their policy on small siblings at the school. Every event, (graduations, fairs, award ceremonies, orientation, etc), has a strict no children under five policy. This is a huge problem for me as I have two small children and literally no family and friends in Chicago. In all fairness, I do believe there are parents for this and they do record the events for you. You just have to pay $15 for them. With that being said, I still plan to have all my kids attend Disney! Seriously though, this school has re-built my faith in the public school system! The teachers and principals here are excellent! 5 stars!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended Disney for four years. She was placed in a classroom based upon her scores for comprehension. She eventually was placed in the gifted program. She wrote a letter in Msndarin Chinese to a pen pal in China and received a response. We never felt resources were that diminished during the three years she was not in the gifted program. She never expressed that she was distracted by the pods. She actually liked the open floor plan. Due to excellent preparation and optimism by a committed teaching staff, she was accepted to Young Academic Center. We enjoyed her participation on both the track and soccer teams. The art program was has a deserved great reputation along with an elective and theater programs. There is a PTA for parents who wish to meet other parents and create community. Our daughter thrived at Disney Magnet.
—Submitted by a parent

We have two children at Disney and they both love the school. The accelerated classes offer Chinese, but after a few years I expected my older child to, at least, be able to speak in phrases, not just single words, as this is how language is learned. The open pod system can be difficult for some children-- it can get noisy in the pods, especially if teachers don't control their classes. I've spoken with more than a few parents who have mentioned that their child(ren) are having problems staying focused because of the noise level in the pods. There are lots of parents/relatives helping out in classrooms. I've heard a few complaints from parents whose children are not in the accelerated program that too many resources are devoted to that program. I question what resources they are speaking of: daily Chinese class; an annual special project and one assembly associated with that special project are the extent of expended resources that I see. The daily Chinese class is incorporated into the standard schedule... not as extra time devoted to these children. Teachers have been, mostly, excellent; executive staff can be a bit autocratic/unresponsive -this seems true at most CPS schools.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not happy with this school I spected more from the school, they dont follow up with the parent when there is academic results, teacher dont get involved until you push them to, they offer tutoring for gifted not for the rest of kids, and I can not see their concern for those parents whos kids are not doing well at school.
—Submitted by a parent

Disney is a great school but the Principal might as well be a drill sargeant in the Marines. She has to ease up a bit/ stop putting the teachers in so much fear. She has very young and bright teachers that will bring better ideas to the table if only, she were to let them. Parent involvement 90%. It obviously has the highest funding from any other school in the city which in turn keeps it above average in the tech. (just about everything else). It's very fast paced and the kids can easily get overwhelmed if the parents do not get involved and tone it down when not in school. This school is very serious (sometimes too much) but they build a strong student in the end. Many of my family members have attended this school and are now at the top high schools in the city, with some on there way to medical school and some that run companies in Washington D.C. (friends children). Two reasons why I give it 4 stars instead of 5: 1) the Principal 2.) lack of community feel. It's very hard to meet parents and for your kids to hold their friends, due to the size of the school. Some high schools are "college prep", I would call this grammar school "corporate/ big city prep".
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been in this school since kindergarten and I love it... He is in the gifted program and I couldn't be happier... The teachers are terrific (well perhaps except a few.. No names need it)... I am very pleased with this school and I plan to have him there until the 8th grade! :-D
—Submitted by a parent

I have not been happy at Disney. My son is now in first grade and we are going to transfer him out to a different school. The pods are too much for him to process and the school itself is overwhelming in size. Academically, I think it is a decent school, but not as good as it could be.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our second year and we love it. The principal clearly loves this school and loves the kids. My daughter is learning so much more than just the standard curriculum. I am so proud to be part of the Disney Family!
—Submitted by a parent

It has a wonderful and diverse student population, with excellent educational programs, enhanced by teachers who care about their students.
—Submitted by a parent

Professionalism from the top down. Best school principal! Best teachers! Awesome opportunities at this school for enrichment. I have experience at some of the top private schools, and this public magnet school is better than some of those. I'm proud my daughter attends this school!
—Submitted by a parent

This is my daughter first year at Disney and I must say it has been very challenging for her. At her previous school she was an A student now her grades have slipped alot. I must say her teacher Ms. Parks is wonderful and has helped out alot. I was considering transfering her but she loves this school. So I am going to give this school another year and hopefully, everything goes well.
—Submitted by a parent

My older son started Kindergarten this year, and we love it. His teachers are amazing and easy to communicate with. I was concerned at first about the open classroom plan, but most of the kids don't seem to have a problem with it. I get to volunteer a couple times a month in the class and am always impressed by how well his teacher handles her class and the noise level. The teachers also understand his need to wiggle and have been very accommodating. His focus has improved a lot since the fall. We chose this school over the other lottery choices we got because of the variety of activities (sports, music, art) and their integeration of art into the learning process, but we feel that we've gotten so much more.
—Submitted by a parent

I have my two boys at Disney School and I am very happy with the accelaration of their curriculum. Both of my boys are bright and according to the topics and homework that they bring home I could tell that the teachers take them to the next level. As a teacher, I am very watchful of what is going on at Disney and I noticed that the teachers are always working so hard. Although I can't be there in the morning to actually see what the kids are involved in, from conversations with parent volunteers I know that the school is wonderful. The staff at Disney is warm and friendly to parents and kids. The school is diverse which is great for kids to be part of. As a teacher and parent I give Disney an A++
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has special needs and has been attending Disney since 1st grade. I have to say that the new push for full inclusion or full self contained is the wrong move. I am very disappointed with the new move, my daughter is struggling being in the regular ed. classroom all day. When asked for assistance I get a run down of all the children the special education teacher has and how hard she is working ( should that matter?). When asked for different placement I was told that she will have to go in a self contained class that has children who have major learning issues, my daughter just need some extra help and a slower pace, does this seem fair to take her away from all of her peers because she need more time and attention? I will probably remove my daughter from this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in the Gifted Program and I have to say that I love this program. It is challenging, fun & most of all the teacher are fantastic! I am amazed eveyday of the lessons learned that my daughter comes home to discuss. I highly recommend this school!
—Submitted by a parent

It is an excellent school. They have an accelerated class (1 grade ahead) which also has Chinese.
—Submitted by a parent