Portage Park Elementary School

the teacher doesnt care. the office doesn't know anything about whats going on in the classes. my son is in ?th grade and his teacher is not doing her job. we asked her to make sure that he writes his assignment in everyday and she has yet to comply with our wishes. my son is a special needs student and they do not help us with that.
—Submitted by a parent

This being my neighborhood school i attended an open house. Very disappointed. My biggest concern is the kids that attend this school. While my child woudl be in the early education program, the 6th-8th grade students are terrible. I would never want my child to be around them. Numerous gang related incidents have happened at this school or around it. I would send your child here as a last resort. Apply to all schools you can before sending them here. We bit the bullet and pay for private school to avoid this school. It is ashame because the early education teachers seemed to be rather great. Just not the environment i want for my child.
—Submitted by a parent

I am so in love with this school! I could not be more grateful To these attentive and patient educators! I have two students at P.P. I think to myself how lucky I am that we are able to go to such a Great and safe school. Unlike other posts, my daughters consistently Have at the very least 11/2 hours of homework a night. I need to give a special thanks to Ms.McCullom, Ms.Broler, Ms.Schimisaki, and Ms.Klein My kids love and fondly remember each grade they've spent with these wonderful teachers. There has always been an open dialogue with the teachers ,be it face to face or over email. I think the success of a student not only depends on good teachers but proactive parents taking an interest in their childs education and asking questions. I am a working parent so I make it a point to be as involved as possible. If I were a stay at home mom I would be volunteering and tutoring and setting an expample for my kids and the rest of the community! The PTA is amazing at this school. Kudos to them. I wish more parents would get involved in this organization. I couldn't say enough about the school administration or LSC total professionals that are always up for a quick convo.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers in this school are nice people but do not care about their students at all. My son goes to the school and is not challenged at all, spends no time doing homework, but is on honor roll. The amount of days off the kids get is ridiculous. Thank God that I don't work and can stay at home with him because I don't know what I would have to do if I worked and constantly had to take time off. The teachers are constantly absent and take time off to go on vacation during regular school weeks. I thought that summer vacation, spring break, and winter break would be sufficient but I guess not. If I child sneezes or comes to school with a headache, the parents are immediately called to pick them up but the kids who are constantly missing school and most likely could use a visit fro the truency officer go ignored and teachers show no interest in their well being at all. Test scores are not very good. 8th graders often don't get into good high schools and in general you get the feeling that the whole school is just there to be there and collect the check. I'm transferring my son next year because aside from the school being a safe place, I don't have anything good to say about it.
—Submitted by a parent

My son transferred back to this school in 6th grade. It was the worst mistake I have ever made. The teachers here don't care about their students. You have to call and request a call back from a teacher everyday. The teachers from the school my son came from would call you if they acted up, missed an assignment, or if grades started to slip. And don't ever call the office because they don't know a thing about anything. For everything, it's "ask the teacher" and I would if they would just return a call! Sad, sad that this is the school I'm stuck with.
—Submitted by a parent

My son transferred here from a private school and loves it. He's a A" honor student for the last two years, but I believe it's from our involvement. Positive -very clean and safe school -caring teachers Negative -ISAT scores have not gone up in the last 3 years. Scores are average -parent involvement not where it could be Overall I believe my son is excelling because we are daily involved with his homework and studying. It's a good neighborhood school, but with more involvement from parents, it could be a top school on the NW side.
—Submitted by a parent

Almost a year has gone by since we transferred from a private school. The year has been a busy but good one at Portage. My 8th graders is almost done with Alegebra I and will be attending a selective enrollment school. The teachers have done an excellent job. My 6th grader has enjoyed her year as well and adjusted. She had fun in volleyball, baskeball, and now softball. So many things offered at this school and did well on her tests. A very supportive principal and vice principal as well as office staff. The school is clean above and beyond any that I have seen and that goes for private as well. The counselor is incredible and very helpful with the high school application process which is needed to navigate. Parent group tries but lacks the support of parental involvement which is the key to success at any school. LSC has not done much that I am aware of.
—Submitted by a parent

The Principal is one of the best I have ever come across, he listens to parent's concerns and it is fast to accomodate a child's needs. Dr. Hopkins is one of the best teachers in the school if you are looking for a no non sense teacher she is it. My 9 year old daughter has been positively challenged by this amazing teacher. The school overall is very nice, clean and welcoming. The front office staff has very much improved on their people skills.
—Submitted by a parent

My sister went to Portage Park and that's one of the reasons I was happy to have my daughter go there. All and all, the staff is very knowledgeable and they offer a well-rounded curriculum. My only suggestion to potential students and parents is to research the teachers and make requests on whom you'd like your children to have. Ask the other parents about them and the way that they teach so that you can select a teacher whose teaching style will suit your child's development and learning style. If you find your kids need a bit more of a challenge, I can heartily recommend Mrs. Shimasaki for second grade. She's the best teacher I have ever come across!
—Submitted by a parent

I transferred my 1st grade son from a Catholic School to Portage due to financial reasons. I was worried that he wouldn't get the special attention and he would be overwhelmed with the size of the school and class. We actually found out that he was behind on reading and math. With help from the teachers and my involvement, he is now on honors. I also brought my 3 year old who is speech delayed for an evaluation and he meets with a speech therapist 1x week. He is also doing great. I know that this school may not be on the top twenty yet, but it's improving every year and it's safe.
—Submitted by a parent

I transferred my youngest son from a private school to Portage in 2007 due to learning disabilities and special ed needs. In 2006 the special ed department was disorganized and hard to work with. A change in the Special Ed leadership has resulted in a very much improved Special Ed program and success for my son. I then transferred my older son to Portage due to a bullying situation at the private school. This turned out to be very good for my son in many ways. We discovered that he was at least 6 months to a year behind his grade level in math, grammar, and studying skills. It was a difficult transition, but we all worked together and now he is doing very well. Most of the teachers are easy to work with, although I've had some difficulties communicating with one or two of them.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended Portage Park since the 5th grade and will be graduating this year. Portage is a good school and safe, the only thing is the staff in the main office is unprofessional and the principal acts as if he's prejudice towards the minorities. The assistant principal is a wonderful woman however, it would be an even better school if they got another principal.
—Submitted by a parent

This school works if your children are working at or below the average. My kids are a bit above average, according to the tests, and the teachers pretty much refuse to provide any sort of extra assignments. From what I gather, there isn't a lot of motivation for the teachers, and I believe this trickles down from the principal, who is coarse and unprofessional, based on my and other's experiences. Always, always standards should surpass parent expectations... not here, though (for higher-than-average students).
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of 5th grader. My son has been attending Portage Park for 5 years. I have to say that the teachers he has had were tremendous. I stress to every teacher in the beginning of the school year how important my sons education is to his father and I. I expect to be given updates and be informed of issues, which I have been. My son is a straight A-B student, and has been throughout the past 5 years. I give alot of the credit to the teachers at Portage, but I also take credit as a parent who follows up and is involved in my childs education. I believe teachers and parents need to work together for the sake of the child. Portage Park has alot to offer students
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 chidren attending this school, 1st and 5th grade. I like the teachers, but feel the classrooms are over crowded. For several years I was struggling with one of my sons who has ADD. I was always seeking special help for him but was never properly directed until he reached 5th grade he is so far behind now, but they keep passing him. The Chicago Public Schools need to train their staff in directing parents to the proper dept. when they see that a child is falling behind.
—Submitted by a parent

My two youngest attend 2nd and 5th grade and I must say the teachers that they have had are tremendous. Their continuous skills in making the lessons interesting to students is great. Entering this school year 2007-08 with the new learning lesson I can not wait to reveiw the results. Also, I like to prasies severals teachers that have contribute to my childrens' success Ms. Klein, Mrs. Sider, Ms. Sawcwnko and Ms. Ramondi. Sincerley Mrs. Sonia Gonzalez-Santana (Amelia & Nathan)
—Submitted by a parent

I have three children who attend Portage Park. They have all had very good teachers, who are extremely dedicated, motivating, and compassionate. My children have excelled in the learning environment provided by Portage Park Elementary School. In the 5 years I have had experience with the school I have not had a bad experience with their teaching staff. I wish more families in my neighborhood would send their kids to this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Two of my children have attended the state pre-k program at Portage Park, which is fabulous. The pre-k staff is knowledge, caring and wonderful. But parents should know that the state pre-k program is not run by the principal and is separate from the rest of the school. My dealings with the principal and the office staff have left a negative impression -- it is a very top-down administration that does not seek input from teachers. Many decisions are made for the convenience of adults, not in the best interests of students. While the school is clean, safe and with good test scores, that has more to do with the students going into the school than what goes on inside the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former student as well as a parent of a current student of Portage Park School. Not only do I have fond memories of my days at Portage, but I have been very pleased with the education my child is receiving. I have found all of the teachers to be very helpful, challenging, and communicative. I've had very little to complain about. Overall, I'm extremely satisfied with Portage Park School as is my child.
—Submitted by Melissa, a parent

The special ed department is unorganized with poor communication. My son gets A's and B's because half of the teachers tell him to only do what he can. That gives him the opportunity to do nothing and still get a good grade. The teachers and special education department should work togather to follow IEP's and a goal oriented but not overloading workload for their special education students. My other child is not special ed and, so far, for him, the school seems to be adequate.
—Submitted by a parent