Hamilton Elementary School

We love Hamilton! We have one kid in and one kid entering in the fall. We TURNED DOWN DECATUR to stay here because our child is excelling in the gifted program. The teachers and principal are warm and nurturing while being challenging so the kids get as much as they can out of their educations. The after school programs are awesome - something for everyone. Parents are really invited to be as involved as they would like/can be. It's been an awesome experience so far.
—Submitted by a parent

Under the leadership of Principal Gray and Vice-Principal Luna-Mroz, this school is going from good to great in a hurry. They are both very high energy, and have fostered a great community with excellent parent involvement. The few teachers that were marginal have been swiftly removed - showing that the school is committed to the kids as well as the teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

My son comes home from Hamilton everyday and tells me how much he loves his school. That to me is the most important, to see my son happy. He is in their 2nd grade Gifted Classroom. I look forward to my child's continued quality education at Hamilton. This school in my opinion has far surpassed my expectations and is one of the few schools that supports the Arts and encourages Project-based learning. Thank you Hamilton!
—Submitted by a parent

Hamilton is an incredible little school with caring teachers, supportive staff and administrators, involved parents and awesome kids. Both of my kids attend and I'm so happy to see how much they love going to school. The school now has a full-time dance teacher and several parents volunteered to build a professional dance floor. The kids love it! Honestly, we feel lucky to be a part of it.
—Submitted by a parent

Hamilton is a great neighborhood school. Under a new administration for the last three years, the school has added a gifted program (now in grades K-4), science and computer labs and new library. Students have gym, art, music, multi-cultural studies and dance multiple times each week and there are a number of afterschool options (foreign language, violin, chess, robots, karate) and the YMCA afterschool care on-site till 6pm (great for working parents). My children are thriving there, so glad that we just bought a house to stay in neighborhood.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended Hamilton for 9 years and while we loved it when we started, we love it even more now. The middle school curriculum is a block schedule which is a great way for students to learn time management at an early age. From Advanced Lit to hands on Science to dance the students are challenged and supported and are doing amazing things. We are so fortunate to have amazing leadership from our Principal and AP as well as a wonderful teaching staff. Combine that with a dedicated parent community Hamilton truly represents what education should be.
—Submitted by a parent

Our family loves Hamilton. Our children just completed their third year and have really flourished. This has been a truly great start to education for them, thanks to amazing teachers, a great administration and very nice students. There are clearly good and bad things about being at a small school but in this case the good far outweighs the bad. The teachers and staff know all the students, and many of the parents, which creates a really friendly and supportive community. We couldn't have made a better choice for our children, or for us.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is just finishing his first year at Hamiliton in kindergarten. I can not say enough good things about this school. The principal, teachers, parents, community are all doing an excellent job. I was very nervous to send my child to a CPS school. I have worked in the system for many years and unfortunately haven't gotten the best impression. Hamilton has changed that for me. This is a warm, caring school with lots of emphasis on learning, character development and inclusion. The fine and performing arts program is terrific. My son has multi-cultural studies 2 days a week and always comes home with interesting projects. Parent participation is huge. Parents are encouraged and welcomed into the school. I also love all that Hamilton does for the environment. They do a wonderful job with recycling, reusing and composting. I am so comfortable and confident sending my son to school each day. But the best part is probably how much he loves school. Another selling point for Hamilton is the after-school Y program. The counselors do a fantastic job keeping the students busy, working on homework and having a good time. Most days, I can't get my son to leave!
—Submitted by a parent

I feel conflicted about Hamilton, but it's not really Hamilton, it's CPS that we hate. Hamilton itself is terrific. The amazing Principal, and the extremely active parent community are terrific, and in general, I think the teachers are good. Our daughter happens to have a relatively cold teacher, and we cannot wait for the school year to end. Too much emphasis on grading (weekly!) and test-taking strategies. But some parents like that. A 20 minute recess! But, again, that's CPS. I wish I could give my childhood back to my daughter. She however, puts up with her teacher, though dislikes her, and she loves her friends. This year's experience has significantly diminished her love of school, however. She adored her Hamilton Kindergarten teacher, and then it was amazing. So, If you have to do CPS, I don't think you could ask for a better school.
—Submitted by a parent

We love the School, principal, teachers and wonderful community of parents. My son is in Kindergarten here and loves going to school each day!
—Submitted by a parent

We were hesitant about sending our daughter to a public school due to CPS's size and bureaucracy. We heard good things about Hamilton and decided to take a leap of faith, and we could not be happier that we did. Our daughter loves her teachers, is making great and well-rounded progress, and the kids and parents we've met are wonderful. But the real ace-in-the-hole for Hamilton is their partnership with the Lake View YMCA down the street. I am biased as I went there growing up and learned to swim there, but their after-school program is phenomenal. Their counselors go to Hamilton and are just the best, and they will even walk the kids to the Y for swim lessons (and others). We are looking forward to the Y's summer camp, as our daughter already has great rapport with their counselors. Highly recommended, Principal Gray makes me wish I had more kids to send there!
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in the TBPK at Hamilton and we love it. He loves going to school every day (he hated attending his previous school). The teachers are wonderful and their teaching methods take into account the children in the classroom, their interests and their abilities (no worksheets or homework here!). Consequently, the kids are engaged and love to learn. My son comes home every day talking excitedly about what he learned at school that day. The teachers also focus on supporting the kids in the development of problem-solving skills, independence, relationship-building, and responsibility for ones' self and actions. Creativity is stressed in all areas. It's been a wonderful experience for us and our son. We look froward to another year with Miss Moos, Mrs. Walker and Miss Roshea.
—Submitted by a parent

I am happy to have my second child attend Hamilton. The teachers are great and the philosophy tends to the whole child, not just academics... which is important at the young ages. The principal is fantastic and supportive of providing the teachers tools like ipads and smart boards to improve and make the classroom experience better. The school is small enough that the parents are involved and have a lot of say in what happens at the school. I love all the arts, including global cultural studies, art, and full time music teacher. Gym teacher is very creative and energetic. The accelerated class for more gifted students receives high praise from all the parents, but i am pleased with the standard class and feel all my child's needs are more than met. The teachers teach to each child at their level and could not be happier. There is a nice variety of afterschool progams as well, including YMCA, mad science, ACAA ballet, music and more.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has come a long way from 3 yrs ago! The principal is very dedicated to the improvement of this school academically as well as in other areas like art and music. My daughter started here in Kindergarten and has learned a lot. I think this school is going to be good for her. The new gifted program is promising. The only problem I have is, there are few mean kids but if you communicate with the teachers they def resolve the issues. I am not too crazy about the after school program but as long as my child is learning and is happy here I'll be at peace.
—Submitted by a parent

Hamilton is a great place to be. They offer non-stop programs, a new cafe, caring teachers, and push the arts. I think it is clear that no school is perfect, you will find unrealistic parents who want staff and administration to be flawless or always find something to complain about. What I can say is that the Hamilton staff and administration work hard to make the school the best it can be.The Principal and assistant principal are an amazing team and I can see a difference in the school's community, academic instruction, and middle school since they have taken over. I have seen that the KIDS (both big and small) really love both the Principal and Assistant Principal. I think that says a lot about how much is invested in them. Changes doesn't happen overnight, but this administration will get us there.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is 5 years old and started Kindergarten this fall. He loves Hamilton, he thinks his teacher and the aid are the greatest people. He has learned more than I expected him to at this point. The teachers seem sharp and are willing to talk with you before or after school. I feel proud that my son attends Hamilton and I look forward to many happy years to come at this great little school.
—Submitted by a parent

My 5 year old and I love this school. I personally think the principal has done a great job. My daughter's teacher is at the school before school and at least an hour after school. I love the fact that school starts at 8am and I can go to work early. We are very happy with Hamilton staff and teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

We are finishing up our first year at Hamilton and couldnt be more pleased!! The teaching staff , asst principal & principal seem energetic and progressive in their teaching approaches I am suprised at the comment made here that staff and princpal are not responsive. Every time I have approached the Principal or my daughter's teacher with an issue or concern- it has been addressed to my satisfaction. I look forward to next year when I will have BOTH my children attending Hamilton!!
—Submitted by a parent

This school needs to work on addressing issues with bullies and staff yelling at the kids. The environment is oppressive and pejorative and positive encouragement and attitudes MUST become mandatory policy. To be effective, this school must leave the 8 am - 1:45 pm schedule and commit to longer school days that include things such as PE more than once or twice a week, recess every day, and more time for teachers to be able to actually TEACH. My child regularly reports having never seen the homework in class, so I must TEACH it to him. Frankly, poorly achieving teachers need to get the boot! The after school activities are not positive and leave students screaming in the cafeteria with little homework being accomplished. Teachers are not available in the morning and leave right after school (and some are not computer literate - how do we speak to them as parents?).
—Submitted by a parent

Extraemely dedicated principal and staff, dedicated paretns organization. Attentive to studen and family needs, quick responses and actions to help Hamilton grow.
—Submitted by a parent