Gray Elementary School

My son is in a special needs class at Gray and over the last three years he has improved immensely and his teacher in room 211 has been nothing short of spectacular. He falls on the Autism Spectrum Disorder but is learning almost on pace with his peers. He still needs verbal and visual cues but is progressing. We are very fortunate that CPS provides these services to their students. It is a shame these valuable programs are being cut and other parents in similar situation will not benefit from these programs. My son has been enrolled at three CPS Schools since he started in the early intervention program when he was two years old. He has been in school since he was three. I am writing this in praise of the teachers, therapists and aids expertise in these programs have given my son the help he needed. I wish I can name them so that all will know how hard they work for our children. I wish I could be more involved in school functions; I am giving these school 3 stars in parent involvement mostly based on my lack thereof. We are very satisfied and blessed parents.
--Submitted by a parent

Gray is a great neighborhood school. The education you get here is top rate. Most of the teachers are amazing. The achievements my kids make every year is astounding. The curriculum is challenging but the teachers make it fun. If you want to learn more about the school before you enroll your child I would recommend going to a No Child Left Behind meeting or a LSC meeting, or visit the school to request a tour. There is virtually no bullying problem. The kids are taught from kindergarten to respect each other. I am there every day, I see happy faces going in and out of the school. The school is very active in getting grant money. Mostly used in new education technologies. There is a support staff that will pull out kids from regular class who are having trouble to work in small groups. The school has two new playgrounds, which is a great way to get to know the other parents while kids play. The administration is very firm. But that is mostly good thing. It is a neighborhood school, so they have to take in everyone in the neighborhood even some troubled families. That being said the school creates a well disciplined and safe environment. And the friends will be from the community.
--Submitted by a parent

Very few caring teachers. The office staff have no people skills and horrible attitudes. Education wide its not the best. The school has no Kindergarten graduation, what a disappointment. I pulled daughter out ASAP. Parents are not involved enough.
--Submitted by a parent

there are a few great teachers , Mr. Lewis for 6th grade is a great teacher very caring and thoughtful, now as for Ms. Todhunter she is cold hearted , rude , talks down to the student, you walk in the room and she don't even look up and acknowledge you.the principle walks with her nose in air. as does ms. trevino the asst, principle, but ms kaylen the other assistant is very nice
--Submitted by a parent

This school is horrible. Some teachers are good, but the administration is horrible. Teachers and other staff members are terrified of the principal and this has an impact on the children, especially the little ones. If you have an option, do not send your children to Gray school.
--Submitted by a parent

Im a student at Gray and I think is a really good school...But the ADMINISTRATION is HORRIBLE because I had this problems with this girls and the only thing the school could do was suspend them for the WEEKEND. I think this is administration should pay more attention to the kids. But the teacher are AWESOME!

This school is disgusting. I hated it completely. There was no student displine. Some of the teachers didn't teach my child anything. My child would come home everyday and tell me she was hungry because their foor was either disgusting, or they didn't serve her enough. It is a very cheap school. Also, the Principal and Assistant Principals have no respect for the children or the parents. The 8th graders HAVE to turn in their uniforms that us parents bought with our own money. If they do not turn in their uniforms, they are not allowed to wear whatever they want for the last week of school. There's spider webs and dead roaches around the entire school. I just do not think this school is suitable for young children and I would not recommend this school to anyone. I would rather home school my child.
--Submitted by a parent

While there are some amazing teachers at this school, the administration is terrible. It does not prepare the students for high school one bit if they are attending (or even get into) a selective enrollment school.
--Submitted by a parent

Admittedly, this school has some FANTASTIC teachers. However, the principal and assistant principals try to be intimidating to both students and parents. I had the unfortunate opportunity to have to deal directly with the principal and 2 different assistand principals, who would not even have a professional conversation with me, they just wanted to yell and try to make me feel stupid. When I wouldn't allow that to happen, the principal and assistant principals become verbally combative. I am glad that my daughter only has 1 more year to suffer under this administration. Great job by the teachers though! My daughter is a straight A student!
--Submitted by a parent

There are some great old teachers there too. A teacher doesn't have to be young to be vital and energetic!