Ogden Elementary School

This school is a dump! I hated being held there everyday against my will. I was always getting robbed by those little delinquents. There's kids running through the hallways screaming like animals. DON'T SEND YOUR KIDS HERE! They sent me to an insane asylum because I didn't agree with them.

My son is completing 8th grade this year, having tested into Ogden's international gifted program for 6th grade. We left our neighborhood school with a heavy heart but knew our son needed to be challenged academically. The international gifted program certainly provided the challenge and rigor we were looking for. To be perfectly candid, some of my son's teachers are the type of teachers he will remember for the rest of his life: passionate, engaged, treats each student as an individual. A few did not, perhaps because they did not live up to our expectations compared to the other great teachers. I sometimes wonder if my son's experience at Ogden would have been even better if he hadn't lived through all the building changes, new construction, Carpenter acquisition, etc. Mr. Staral & Co. dealt with the upheaval brilliantly, but I still think the period of transition impacted my son's education in a negative way. Lots of busses to and fro, limited after-school activities, routine changing every year. It was a lot of change to digest. My son is accepted into Lincoln Park High School IB program next year. Thank you Mr. Laredo and Mr. McCormick.
--Submitted by a parent

The quality of teachers is above average. They are demanding and they work hard to push your kids. However, some teachers also play blatant favoritism that appears to benefit "neighborhood" kids vs. kids admitted via the IB/IG program. I notice that although kids admitted through testing have higher ISAT scores, they have lower grades than neighborhood kids. The could be a real problem for 7th grade students whose grades are important for applying for selective enrollment high schools. The principal and some administrative staff are great at raising publicity or funds, moderately successful at managing the staff and faculty but are quite indifferent to the well-being of kids. I had a few very unpleasant dealings with the principal or VP. It took them a long time to respond to my formal (in writing) complaints. They never implemented the resolutions we all agreed upon during the meeting. I have no doubt that they are extremely capably professionals. I do question where their hearts are and whether their successes, i.e. expanding the school, constructing a new building, and constantly traveling abroad, have distracted them from the real goals of education.
--Submitted by a parent

I attend this school as a Sophomore, in the Ogden International Highschool. I LOVE Ogden. It's one of the best schools that you can possibly go too. Besides, the sometimes anger led by another student, we actually all get along with each other at the end of the day. It's a great school if you want your child to go to a small highschool. It's also a really good learning environment, I now have a Gpa of 3.0.

Ogden is good neighborhood school and has a wonderful learning environment for our child. It's our 3rd year at Ogden and we are pleased with the principal and teachers. We have not experienced a problem with the class size (22 - 27).
--Submitted by a parent

Horrible, below average, no parent involvement, very large classes, low expectations, many children with behavior problems, pretentious parents. I hated everyday at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school. The principal is dedicated to the success of teachers and students. Love the environment. My son finished 1st grade. I'm really happy with this school and they had 2 recess whole year round. Highly recommend this school!!
--Submitted by a parent

I am a Chicago Public Schools alum and a former Chicago Public Schools teacher. I couldn't be happier with Ogden's population and staff. I moved my children from the North Shore and my son went into Kindergarten in the middle of the year. He was welcomed by the teacher and children and never complained about a day. He is finishing 1st grade, reading & writing and expressing himself daily. The reputation of the North Shore schools being better is proven wrong with Ogden.
--Submitted by a parent

Ogden's principal, Ken Staral is dedicated and devoted to the success of this school. Without the support that he gives his teachers, Ogden wouldn't be as unique and wonderful as it is. Our teachers work well over 10 hours a day to make sure that their students get a well rounded education. Everyone at Ogden is committed to what they love to do-teach.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers care about what they teach, and puts forth effort to create an environment that comfortable to learn in.