South Loop Elementary School

I am a parent of a 4th grade child in the Gifted Program. I must agree with the post of July 19th, 2007. I believe the school has much to offer and has come a long way. However, the gifted program has alot more to change if it is to truly accomodate the needs of 'gifted children'. I would catagorize it as 'enrichment' for smart and hardworking kids. The students are given a ton of work, photocopied out of teaching manuals, maybe, at most, one grade ahead. Not 'gifted education'. When a gifted child masters something, they crave to learn more. Not repetitive work of something they already 'get'. It would seem that the school should model their program after Lenart Academy who seem to really understand gifted educaction and their students. Too bad, as the school has alot of parent involovement.
—Submitted by a parent

Great School, Great Principal, Great Teachers, Great Before and after School Program, Great Parents, Beautiful Neighborhood next to Great Park, Recess, Art, Music, Gym, Library time, Tae-Kwando, Soccer, Scouts, fun homework and an excellent Gifted Program. :)
—Submitted by a parent

Luckily I see more then most parents as I volunteer for many activities to stay current with what is happening at South Loop. I see discipline. Better than what we had in the suburbs (in a good school district). Maybe the teachers are harder on those in the higher grade levels, but when you see what I see, its warranted. Maybe they do not get it at home and so South Loop has to use it. As far as school work, I feel that the teachers do an excellent job. Not perfect by any means, but a good job and the test scores are improving all the time. When I worked at a suburban school, cramming for ISATS was the norm. So blame the state, not the teachers. I believe that South Loop is getting better everyday. Instead of being negative, volunteer!!!
—Submitted by a parent

South loop school is not really a good place to send your child that much because my son says that the teachers are not telling the students things that they should know ahead of time.For example the grades for the science fair for 2008 my son still has not gotten his grade. Fights break out all of the time,student bathrooms are dirty at points,and students break the rules.The parents are also not kept imformed.The students say that the principle is mean to some of the children in 6-8th grade.The acadimics are not that challenging either.South Loop Elementary pretty much stays the same year after year
—Submitted by a parent

I see minimal, if any, learning going on and have not over the years. For the first half of the school year, the teacher spent the vast majority of each day complaining to the students about a discipline problem. Not all subjects are covered daily . . . ever -- maybe math all day one day, dealing with discipline problems another day, and reading all day another. If you make a complaint, you are treated as the enemy. A month before the ISAT, students were being crammed with material that they should have been taught all year. Parents are not kept informed. I have received all of five graded papers all year long! No emphasis placed on academics but all stops pulled out for a PreK-8 grade dance and hoopla over a fence. I used to think it would get better but year after year, it has remained the same.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been at South Loop for a number of years now. We have been pleased overall with the education and programs offered by the school. No school is perfect, but the reality is South Loop is one of the best schools out there. I would recommend the school to family who want a school that offeres you a great mix of kids and a good solid education. Looking back I would not change sending my child to South Loop.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent who just recently enrolled my kindergarten daughter at the South Loop School. So far I have been very disappointed. The office staff is not friendly at all. When we first arrived to enroll my daughter it felt as if we were an annoyance at the end of their day. There was no welcome package of any kind. We had to ask where we would drop off and pick up our daughter. We had to ask for a list of school supplies. We had to ask about lunches. We didn't even realize there was a school uniform until we noticed a student walking by. The staff is completely rude and unflexible. We've had more run ins with them that won't fit on this page. It's sad because the teacher seems to be okay at this point and my daughter likes her school.
—Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately we had to pull our child out of this school/program. It just wasn't challenging enough, however it is good for mainstream learners.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a kindergarten mom as well. My daughter also attended the ECC last year. So far I have been very happy with the school and it's programs. My child is also reading and doing math. Her teacher is great and she also brings homework home once a week. The only downfall I see at times is that the principal and sometimes the office staff are not very friendly. I suppose a 'goodmorning' when I drop my daughter off in the mornings or a 'goodnight' in the evenings would suffice. I do not want that sort of attitude to rub off on the young impressionable children.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is in kindergarden this year and attended the S Loop Pre K last year as well. We have been very pleased thus far. The teachers have been great, the administration has been engaged and effective and our involvement as parents has been welcomed and satisfying!!
—Submitted by a parent

The education at this school is excellent. Parent politics and some issues with students keep it from receiving a higher score.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a Kindergarten mom. I don't have any comments at this point since its too early in the year. What I will say however is that her teacher is great and she brings home homework once a week and creative drawings and art work daily. She is reading and writing. So far so good!
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the last poster, My child was in the EEC too. Though only for one year she was always coming home with project she had made in pre school. Her class room was filled with art. The playdough was always out at activity time. Markers and paper were plentiful. Books were everywhere in my daughter's classroom, songs were always sung. It was truly a wonderful time in my child's life. Even today a year later, we were reminiscing through a photo book her teacher made for her at the end of the year. Needless to say we have many great memories. I am still in contact with her pre-k teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

As a 2nd year parent of the tuition based pre-k program, I'd have to say the school is moving in the wrong direction. The lead teachers are good but are overworked and many of the assistant teachers lack creativity. I would give it a score of 6 out of 10. Where is art? clay? Painting? Parents are strongly encouraged to leave the teachers alone!.
—Submitted by a parent

My child was in the so-called gifted program, testing far beyond the 99%. This school hasn't a clue how to meet the needs of truly gifted, most administrators, teachers and parents don't understand the true meaning of gifted. It's more than just higher learning.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm not happy with the education my child received during his two years at SL. I feel that I made a mistake by enrolling him in the neighborhood program, despite warnings from neighbors an friends. I am in a position to pay private school tuition, but I am a believer in public education. This school has no real programs. What exists exists for the sake of appearance and making the principal look good. Where is teh fine arts? Where are the performances and celerations of the children? I am limited in space or I would elaborate about my frustrations. I feel the principal and the administration made me false promises when I enrolled my child. He will be going to a charter school next year.
—Submitted by a parent

The academic programs have ceilings and the curriculum does not have the breadth or depth to meet the needs of all students. There are behavior problems in many of the classrooms.
—Submitted by a parent

We are moving both of children out of South Loop because classroom teachers seem to have problems managing behavior in the classroom. While the school has a lot of activities and partnerships, the programs themselves are not quality programs. The feedback I hear from my children is that they are not learning anything!
—Submitted by a parent

South Loop has been a school in transition for the last several years. Unfortunately, most of the school's successes have been 'for show' with a principal who was more concerned with test scores and community partnerships than with supporting the teachers in their work. Classroom discipline can be a problem and administration does not crack down enough on those students. Many parents are cliquey and combative with teachers, instead of working collaboratively. There also needs to be a higher standard for what qualifies as 'gifted.' The school atmosphere can be bleak at times and needs to be more friendly, genuine, and student-centered. Hopefully the new principal will bring about positive changes to turn the school around.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children attending this school, one in each program. Both the gifted and neighborhood fine arts magnet programs are tremendous considering this is a public school. Criticisms of the gifted program not really being gifted may have been true at start up due to lower relative applications. It is no longer the case as application rates have risen to levels comparable to Skinner and other gifted elementary schools. From the beginning the school has required teachers of every class to adhere to the curriculum demands equally. Each class goes through an intensive data assessment phase that is used for curriculum design. Resources are directed equally among the programs. The best part of this school is dedicated parents. This school ranks in the top 5% of CPS schools for money raised. Events are well attended. Parents here value education.
—Submitted by a parent