Ogden Elementary School

Many people look at the "Great Schools Rating" of Ogden and decide that this school is not as good as those that have a higher number. Well, I do not care for figures alone. I'll just state some facts from experience. Ogden is great. My son has a great Kindergarten teacher, Miss H. Phenomenal. She is sweet and energetic, but not flamboyant in the pretentious sense of the word. She is firm and stable. She explains concepts in stimulating, varied and accessible ways. The curriculum is above what most "national standards" books prescribe, and my son simply found some of those enrichment books I bought too easy. There are also a lot of life application projects and activities. The environment provided for the young kids are is one that's nurturing and encouraging. I have no complaints, except that the school admin does not communicate much with us parents unless it has to do with fund-raising. But, my son's teacher, covered for them by her regular email updates and prompt responses to any queries any parent has.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved from NY to Chicago. Ogden is not on any Chicago mag rating radar but it is a hidden gem. My son goes to first grade and his teacher, Mrs S is the most amazing, kind person. He has special needs and the school has gone above and beyond in helping him. My little one is in Mrs B's class in K and she is sweet and kind. It is diverse, well funded, safe. The building is brand new. The principal, Mr S is awesome. After months of looking at Bell, Blaine, Lincoln etc etc, we chose Ogden and are very happy.
—Submitted by a parent

Mr. Tim Reilly is a phenomenal teacher of Kindergarten at this school. He is inspiring to students and pushes them to achieve to their utmost ability without their awareness. He goes above and beyond to provide a nurturing and optimal teaching environment. My daughter is in 1st grade now and is leaps and bounds beyond her class mates in a good way!! Thank you for his amazing guidance!
—Submitted by a parent

Great school! I wish I had known about Ogden before spending a fortune paying for private schools for my older kids. My youngest son received a great education at Ogden. Ogden is sort of an unsung gem in the CPS system -- offering a great academic program, a diverse and talented student population, engaged and talented teachers and a strong group of supportive parents. The grade school campus (brand new facility this year) is located in the heart of Chicago's most expensive area and competes with several elite private schools in the area, each with tuition ranging from $25,000 to $30,000 for 2012. Ogden offers an International baccalaureate program for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. The program offers an intensive study of english, social studies, laboratory science, mathematics, world language (French, Chinese or Spanish), technology, arts, physical education, library science, and advanced research. Odgen's high school is fairly new, so the class size is much smaller than most of Chicago's public high schools. The curriculum is a solid college preparatory program.
—Submitted by a parent

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.

Teaches great organizational skills and note taking. Interested in overall education, not just the basics. Also believes in challenging classes and interesting assignments. And, of course, recess!
—Submitted by a parent

Great neighborhood school....lots of love
—Submitted by a parent

The Ogden International School of Chicago is so diverse. The students and their families are from backgrounds from around the world
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school because it has great teachers and a principal that actually care about the students and not just a pay check. This school offers so many opportunities in arts, music, language etc.. this can't happen if we loose funding. So please vote.
—Submitted by a parent

I love Ogden because the organization and comunication between principal, teachers, students and parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Great committed faculty. wonderfully diverse student body
—Submitted by a parent

Ogden has excellent and challenging programs.
—Submitted by a parent