Edgebrook Elementary School

Lots of bullying by parents as well as students. Unfortunately, the current principal and employees clearly favor the bully parents and also participate in bullying the others. Very rude staff. My daughter is in her third year here and the academics are just okay. New principal coming soon so hopefully some things will change. It is very clear that special treatment is given to certain parents and students, whom the rules to not apply to. As stated by some other reviewers, this school has a very "elitist" attitude and if you are not in the "elite" group, you and your child/children can be treated badly by the schoo, schizophrenia, and other students.
—Submitted by a parent

Great School. One of the very best neighborhood schools. Dedicated core of experienced teachers and staff. Committed parent volunteers make this school a great community experience.
—Submitted by a parent

alot of homework and alot of pressure on students. Puts alot of stress on them and techers are very hard on students. has no art classes a crowded classes. they are improving this but they could use some work for making school a little bit less stressful and fun other than work all the time stress and four hours of homework for older students.

Alot public schools in Chicago. Hard to find one less crowded than Edgebrook. Should complain to CPS about the increasingly crowded situation, an issue beyond the administration of school principal or teachers. Each state has a standard test to evaluate whether or not a student has met some minimum requirements. Just like teaching a toddler how to walk or how to use bathroom at the age of 2. Thirteen public schools citywide were closed by CPS last year due to lower academic performance on ISAT. Edgebrook teachers are helping every single student to meet those minimum requirements. No child left behind! Schools are places for an all-round education not just for fun. Our grumpy parent(s) should send their children to an day care amusement park. Unfortunately, even places like Six Flag have failed to attract children under economic crisis.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree at most of positive reviews. you can not find a better non-selective elementary public school in Chicago than this one. The school's performance is at the similar level as those highly selective schools'. the school chess teams won again in 2009 CPS city championships (www.cpschess.com). Some parents criticized the school about a little bit pushing their students for academic achivements. I can imagine how these parents will comment on those selective gift or classical elementary public schools should their children go to Decater or Edison.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school! Excellent curriculum. Teachers go above and beyond for the students. Administration is professional yet approachable. The parental and student communities are very close and supportive. Yes, overcrowding is a issue. The school is so good that people keep moving to Edgebrook for it. We are keeping our fingers crossed for an addition one day.
—Submitted by a parent

We couldn't be happier with the quality of education at Edgebrook. Now they just need to build an addition to handle the 45 new students they are growing by every year!
—Submitted by a parent

Still substandard compared to several years ago. Still waiting for all those promised 'grants.; classes over crowded. Kids lose out. Discipline had become a huge issue. Leadership poor. Perhaps when someone new comes in because Arne Duncan is gone, clout will not rule.
—Submitted by a parent

We came to Edgebrook School in September 2007 and are very happy we did. The academic program is very good, maybe not a grade level ahead of other schools, but still very advanced. Edgebrook does teach to the test, however they also allow for much creativity in teaching and learning styles. Teachers realize that there is more than one way to learn and they teach in a variety of ways. The principal, Mrs. Kepka, is awesome. She is very aware of the hoops that have to be jumped through in order to get anything, besides promises, from CPS. She puts in many extra hours to help make the school what it is. The PTA and LSC are also phenomenal (just wish more parents would come to the meetings and share ideas). Lots of volunteering opportunities are available. Family fun programs, arts and sports programs, science and technology programs, all on the rise. Children are taught good values at home and that carries over into the school. This school is more like a community and all take responsibility. Lack of space is a HUGE problem. Did I say that we LOVE this school?
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent curriculm but issues with parents bullying from students concern me greatly. Also school lacks programming to deal with above stated problems. Overly obsessed and concerned with ISAT testing . Strange enviornment. Great presure to donate money to fund for science lab, fund for teachers, PTA etc. Elitist campus community that parents create and some school personal buy into. Do you drive the right kind of car? Are you a single parent? Where do you live? Do you live in the neighborhood? God forbid you have a special needs child or the child is 'different' in any way. I ended up moving to Niles, IL and I am much happier.
—Submitted by a parent

best neighborhood school in Chicago City. highly experienced teachers and a wonderful new principal. your kids can make lots of friends here. safe neighborhood and dedicated parents. the only complaint: Chicago public system should have put more money for a larger teaching building to meet the requirement of expanding size of student body.
—Submitted by a parent

Edgebrook is a great school and is the best neiborhood school in Chicago. Not only has its academic performance outscored that of some gifted elementary schools, but also its extracurriculum activities are making fantastic success. The school's chess team has been among the top two in sections 1-2, 3-4, and 6-8 citywide in the school year 2007-2008.
—Submitted by a parent

We are in our first school year at Edgebrook. Thus far we have been pleased with the school. Our child appears happy and is challenged with the work. Expect homework. The experience with our current teacher has been positive. There is an advanced reading program and all students are encouraged to do extra reading to score points as part of this program. Reading is emphasized.
—Submitted by a parent

unfortunately, my sister had a very bad experience. it was a cold, rude enviromentment for her child and an 'elitest' attitude. her child went there for a short time and was bullied and was not happy.

Edgebrook is awesome! Our new Principal and Assistant certainly had there plate full but they 'grabbed the bull by the horns' and our old pros (our AAA team of teachers) are finally warming to the new bosses I think. Its been a difficult transition for everybody with the installation of new management, addition of mobile classrooms our problems with overcrowding, Our lack of funding from the school board and state (the usual problems our beloved Dr. M always had to contend with} She was the greatest principal! and the usual head banging in a great LSC or PTA . During all of this I feel every single person involved in edgebrook has always put the children first,that is why we will continue to be a success! We have a very supportive LSC and 100% membership in our PTA. Extracurricular is not Edgebrook. Academics speak for themselves. There's plenty Parkdistrict baseball/football/Soccer nearby.
—Submitted by Expect More, a parent

There is a new excitement at Edgebrook School. Though the primary focus continues to be academic excellence, it is slightly less wrote, more creative and more geared towards cooperation and listening. Yes, there are a lot of students, but the modulars are progressing and that will ease the situation in the new year. The new principal, Janice Kepka is fantastic and has done a wonderful job managing the transition and the physical changes taking place at the school. Plus she truly understands the students are children, and has worked to establish personal relationships with the students - not just a disciplinarian. Most of the teachers have pulled together to create a warm and challenging environment devoted to helping children learn. There is a new music teacher and the room will be restored in January. Plus there is a movement to create extracurricular sports teams to round out the academic experience.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended Edgebrook for 8 years and I found the school to be demanding as well as challenging. He was well prepared for his new high school because of his educational experience at Edgebrook.I would have like to have seen more extracurricular activities. The teachers were the best and Dr. M was a fabulous principal. I would highly recommend Edgebrook School to anyone in the area that was undecided where to send their children. I hope the current enrollment surge doesn't affect the quality of education the kids receive.
—Submitted by a parent

The academic program is advanced by a year to a year and a half. The new prinipal is fantastic, and so is the teaching staff. The school up to this point has been all academics and disipline too much so. Children are driven to succeed by there is no joy, no celebration of normal holidays, and no time for family life except for study. Think hard and know your child, the academicss are the top, but childhood is sacrificed. Hopefully there will begin to be a new sense of balance with the new administration.
—Submitted by a parent

Edgebrook school is a great school where the children get great individual attention. It is a very clean, safe environment where the teachers genuinly care about their students and always try to be in constant contact and have the cooperation of the parents. It would be nice if the art and music programs were more often and extensive, however, the academics are extremely important to the faculty.
—Submitted by a parent

Number one ranked public grammar school in Chicago Il. Grades K-8th. Best neighborhood in Chicago Il. Strictly Academic school. No out of area school busing. PTA and School council.
—Submitted by a parent