Dirksen Elementary School

Dirksen did not prepare me well enough for high school. I only have a few months left of high school, and when I started I didn't know any math. When I was in 8th grade, they put a teacher in the position to be a math teacher for 7th/8th graders. That was such a bad decision. He did not prepare me at all. Otherwise, I did pretty well at Dirksen. They had a very good social science teacher when I was in 8th grade. But, at night they are a lot of kids that smoke/drink behind the mobile units. That needs to be put under control. It makes the environment worse around there. That needs to be stopped.

We always appreciated the old principal, he always had time for you and he smiled a lot. We felt he cared. But he has ben gone about 2 years now. We have a new principal. The new principal seems very friendly and smiles too. Overcrowding is an issue that should be brought up with the School Board. A good school always gets overcrowded because people want their children to go there. If the principal had more funds from the school board, he could do more things for the kids. Maybe we need to help him work with the board. I myself have not seen teachers be nasty with the kids. I think they try very hard to work with our kids. Some of the teachers who left were some of the ones who were not very nice. The new ones and the remaining old ones work hard. My kids teachers always speaks to me when I have questions to ask.We are lucky to have Dirksen.
—Submitted by a parent

Its really easy to go up to a parent and tell them that the teachers are mean and dont listen.Thats how a child gets out of studying and homework. If you really want to know more about your students teacher, then dont listen to your child, just go to the teacher. Dirksen is one of the schools with the smartest teachers I know. They listen to the students. I know these teachers. They are very smart and hope they help the students with their bright future. To believe your childs words, listen what other parents say, classmates, teachers and other staff member.Dont judge a book by its cover ;)Judge a book by thir inside ;) So to find out the school then I have important advice GO TO THE SCHOOL, TALK TO THE STAFF MEMBERS, TALK TO THE CLASSMATES AND DONT ACCUSE ANYONE OF YOUR CHILDS LEARNING. your children choose the grade they want, not the teacher. Teachers teach, help Students disobey that and do whatever they want DONT BLAME THE TEACHERS BECAUSE OF YOUR STUDENTS "WORDS" ABOUT THE SCHOOL Just try to help your child and see what the teachers go through

I am very displeased with this school. Most of the teachers, along with the principal, don't understand the children's problems and ignore the parents.Whenever they make a mistake, they don't admit to it. They treat the children thoughtlessly. The school is their personal farm; not a fellowship with the children's parents and the teachers. The principal doesn't even care about the school. There's a lot of bad things that can be written about the teachers and very little good. Thankfully, there's some good educationalists.
—Submitted by a parent

I have to take my son out that school, some teachers are misleading, poor lleadership and unhealthy environment. I am sad, that I made many attempt to speak to them only to find out that changing people is an impossible, Dirksen is a very bad school, I am a qualified mental health professional I am able to see the truth there, very poor problem solving skills. There is one word of wisdom for the parents who fell like me, speak up the more parents complain the more their voice of your children are heard. Sorry, to all those who feel like me, I am stuck no other school to go, just move to a better area and pray that their leaders a teachers follow the path of a real teacher, respect, understanding, patience and real love for their trade. Forget the union if you are not afraid of anything why to seek help from Unions. Sorry that strike was illegal nothing change for the children.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been getting email with the reviews of Dirksen School. For all the negative reviews are the parents involved in communication between the student and teacher. They have excellent teachers and staff and I have worked with the with positive results. I do not believe they are removing negative posts and students have ways of making entries (misspelling errors) just to insult of demean teachers. My daughter was there 6 yrs. Would you like to have your child go to a school on the South Side? With horrible conditions and poor safety? We need to worry about our students grades! If they need help ask. If you do not ask then do not be surprised at report card results. Communication is key. Rather than blame the teacher try to have a meeting with your student,teacher and principal. Sometimes the student is not focused on the subject and at the end of the class blames the teacher for not teaching it. I have seen if first hand. Yes parents need to be involved if you choose not to you really will not know what is going on. Ask questions first and then you will have a clear picture of what happens in the class room. Sit in the class room I have.
—Submitted by a parent

as I subscriber I always receive email notification if someone posts a review . Few days ago I read negative reviews about this school, and today that review is not here anymore Removed by admin :-)...3rd parent in a row whos review being removed by web/admin. If parents can only share positive reviews then does it really makes sense of keeping this page and misleading parents? Gladly, my child is not a student of Dirksen. Indeed horrible school.

Horrible school. Aggressive and misleading staff. There are many open enrollment schools who offer more programs and activities for smarter kids. Girls, boys 7th graders smoke, skip class and on top your child who needs courage will be placed in a same group with them. You cant do anything about it. Over 25 students in one class and only one teacher, what to expect? stressing out!
—Submitted by a parent

It is unfortunate to hear people badmouth their child's school. It is not the school's fault that is is crowded. My children have received an excellent education at Dirksen and I am thankful for the kind, caring teachers they have there. Perhaps if you got involved in the school you would see that. As for the lady that complained about the registration process, she should know there are rules to be followed. The website tells you want you need to bring or you could have called to find out. The off ice ladies at school have always been kind and helpful to me and my children.
—Submitted by a parent

So to the parent that said we are over crowed you are right and instead of complaining do something. Write to all that are concerned. Ask CPS to give us more room, ask them to build like they have in other schools that don't pay high taxes like us. This is what we have to deal with embrace the school and the staff and it will help you ,your children and the overcrowding if only people, parents Grandparents, community members were to come to anything the school has to offer you all would see that we are all working on this together concedering our preveious principle
—Submitted by a parent

i did really suffer 4 years inthat school ,crowded classrooms ,there is no enough space for preschool,when my daughter reached kinder her level was low,teacher are stressed because they all the time complain about the chidren and adidn't find those problems when imoved to haorwood heights,my dids hates dirksen a lot they was having hard time and not happy .there is no enough activities.drop off and pick up is not allowed all streets closed.it is really horrible .there is no space in the school for preschool,and kindergarten only 4 hours .and almost 28 children in the classes .how kids will learn.and why they should suffer and another kids in the suberbs are just 15 in the classrooms , ithink there is abig difference,idont absolutly recommend it.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been lacking in the special education department under the past principal. A new principal has taken the reigns of this school this year and as a parent I am already seeing improvements. I look forward to the up and coming changes and hope that things will continue to change in a positive manner.
—Submitted by a parent

Hard working individuals help our children. We are treated to very helpful office people.
—Submitted by a parent

My son just graduated from this school. I highly recommend it. The best faculty, the best Principal... can't say anything wrong !!!
—Submitted by a parent

This school has really helped my kids. The principal is hardworking and the kids look up to him. The Assistant is a happy, smiling person. Teachers work hard for the kids. Overall, we are very happy with the school
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers at this is school are great. My kids have learning disabilities and they have been great with them and they are excelling because of the teachers. I was worried because it is a chicago public school but i'm happy that they are there.
—Submitted by a parent

the best school ever!!i reccommend this to all kids and parents!
—Submitted by a parent

this was a horrible school to let my son go to.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children in the school. Both of my children are exceeding acadamically very well.
—Submitted by a parent

I appreciate how well the school is run. I find all the staff to be really helpful for my children. The school administration has help me with a serious problem. I appreciate their concern.
—Submitted by a parent