Norwood Park Elementary School

This school is not going ahead in a good direction. Special ed in the middle grades is not good. I dont think my child has learned a thing this year.
--Submitted by a parent

They are not tolerant of other ethnicity nor special needs children. My son was ostracized and continually labeled a bad kid namely by the principal when they were suppose to be supportive and trying to work with him via his IEP plan. He's autistic on top of having 4 other disabilities and they were not understanding at all, they just wanted to be rid of him. Thankfully I was able to find a special needs school that truly worked with him and he has made it to his high school sophmore year.
--Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school! Great staff and teachers. New principal is (so far) maintaining standards of excellence set by former principal. Very lucky to have this gem of a school in CPS system. The school is not a year behind in its curriculum (see review below). Only downside is parental infighting. A new group of parents has displaced another parent group. Unfortunately the new group is beginning to show signs of becoming like their predecessors. It's shameful behavior from both sides. Fortunately this problem is not affecting the children and their grade school experience.
--Submitted by a parent

The school''s curiculum is still a year behind private and suburban public schools. As far as being out of touch, you are excluded unless you donate substantially to the 'foundation.' A large donation amount is is also a ticket for special treatment. It can also be a free pass for kids that would be expelled anywhere else for their behavior! cps, open your eyes and take a look at nps!
--Submitted by a parent

The negative reviewers are clearly out of touch with what is going on at this school. As a parent and an educator this school by far exceeds a typical elementary school. This school utilizes it's fund raising dollars in a exemplary way that benfits the students and teachers on a daily basis. The resources and programs available at this school are completely unlike any other Chicago Public School. The children are engaged in their learning and have acess to technology, fine arts programs and P.E. as early as pre-kindergarten. The one and only problem is that only 60% of this school's families participated in the annual appeal. This money is crucial in estabilshing and maintaining programs that funding from CPS alone would not allow. A message to those who reviewed this school negatively: Come out to see what's happening at NPS!
--Submitted by a parent

Norwood Park is a great school, it has great teachers and a fantastic Principal. We love it. Jim, Anna & Christine Cornwall
--Submitted by a parent

The school has deteriorated over the past few years.
--Submitted by a parent

My two daughters are in grades 4 and 6 at Norwood this year. I am extremely happy with the school. My children love the kids, the teachers and the principal. They have been challenged and have grown this year under the leadership of Norwood Park. I would highly recommend this school to anyone! The teachers are helpful, and even though the class size is large, this school proves that it is not the size of the class, but the control of the class that allows for teaching! Great Teachers! Great kids! Great parents! Great school!
--Submitted by Jen Mironas, a parent

I have one child attending Norwood. I am not happy with the curriculum. As far as parent involvement inside the classroom I don't feel welcomed to do so. Remember-Just because a school is located in a high priced real estate area, that doesn't automatically make it a great school.
--Submitted by a parent

Our children are just beginning their school experiences. This school seems exceptional and we are so pleased with every aspect of the school so far. I have heard about and seen many great teaching approaches being utilized in this school. Many dedicated and good teachers!
--Submitted by a parent