Pilgrim Lutheran School

My child has been going to Pilgrim for nine years and is about to graduate. From the moment I walked into the school all those years ago, I was struck by the family-like atmosphere. Everyone student and adult alike--seemed upbeat and friendly. Though I was a bit concerned initially about the small school size, I would now say that it s absolutely ideal for young children. The ability to grow up within such secure confines is a wonderful gift to give a child. The feeling is almost like that of an extended family. As I ve watched my son s classmates grow up, I would have to say that all of them are well-behaved, well-rounded, and ready to make a positive contribution to society.
—Submitted by a parent

My 3 children love going to school at Pilgrim Lutheran (grades PK, 1 and 5 - this is our 7th year there). I am grateful to the principal, the teachers and other parents for their commitment to the students and to each other as a thriving community. My children are taught how to learn and to love to learn. The bonus at Pilgrim is that there is also an emphasis on being a caring and responsible part of the greater community.
—Submitted by a parent

My experiences of Pilgrim have been very positive. As a parent of children who have been in the lower and upper grades, I think the school s motto Academic Excellence with a Heart is definitely true. Pilgrim offers low class sizes, teachers who instill an attitude that learning is fun, a nurturing environment, and a strong emphasis on parent involvement. Students here are valued and encouraged for who they are at whatever level they are at. Parents have multiple opportunities to be involved in the school during the school day as well as evenings or on your own time. While there are no mandatory requirements, it will make an important impact on your children to know you are involved at least at some level. Pilgrim turns out graduates who have excelled not only academically but also as human beings.
—Submitted by a parent

Pilgrim is a wonderful caring community of both teachers and families that work together to create a supportive learning environment for all children. There is a lot of interaction between the older and the younger grades which only helps support the feeling of community. Pilgrim also has amazing programs to support the community in different ways. I think that many of these experiences build kids confidence and helps them become just all around good people. My family has been very happy there for a number of years.
—Submitted by a parent

Although the school is small, I have not felt the "warmth" that so many families speak about. I have found that the school is not diverse and parents seem to be stuck in their own social groups. I have not seen much differentiation in the classroom instruction or tracking of student progress in the primary grades. I think teachers mean well and care about students, but are not all using modern teaching methods or meeting all the needs of their students. I think the early childhood program is very strong, but as you go up in the grade levels, I have found teachers do not provide students with much support academically.
—Submitted by a parent

A small cozy school that mostly has dedicated teachers , but after having my daughter attend till 5th grade we left . The 6th grade teacher only teaches part time and shares the class room with a retired teacher who teaches art and social studies . Once you are in the upper grades you realize that grades are emphasized but the curriculum can be pieced together and haphazard . If your child loves track and basketball there are teams to enjoy but all games will be played at another school because they have no gym . Volunteering is strongly encouraged because there are only two aids in the lower grades . The science program is still a fledgling program and needs organization , there is no lab . The support for LD is fine and headed by a fine teacher . Very tightly knit community .
—Submitted by a parent

Small school, dedicated staff, academic excellence with a heart!

I love Pilgrim because of the Teachers, Staff and Families. It's like a great big family! I can not say enough wonderful things about Pilgrim! My 5 year old Daughter in K now) loves her school and has been here for the past 2 years of 3 & 4 year old preschool.
—Submitted by a parent

We've only been at this school for a few months, but so it has been absolutely fabulous. The curriculum, the teachers, and even the activities available for such a small school are amazing. Not to mention that the kids get two recesses a day - at a time when it's hard to find a CPS school that offers even one.
—Submitted by a parent

Our eldest daughter started at Pilgrim in kindergarten and is now in 5th grade; our youngest started in EC and is now in 1st grade. We feel grateful every day to have found this hidden gem right in our neighborhood. Our girls have thrived in the small-school setting, where they get lots of individual attention. No one slips through the cracks; on the contrary, students of all abilities thrive at Pilgrim. Pilgrim students go on to some of the most selective high schools in the city (Northside, Payton, Jones, etc.) and do well because they've gotten a solid academic education and lots of confidence and caring for others. All children are involved in social service projects (even preschoolers!). Curriculum highlights include Spanish starting in Early Childhood, the U of Chicago mathematics program and ARTSmart. The parents and kids are great here, too. We love this school!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

We heard about Pilgrim when our daughter was a baby so were very familiar with its reputation prior to our enrollment. We didn't even apply to any of the CPS schools mainly because of class size. The best thing about Pilgrim is the individual attention, warmth, and respect that the children receive. Kindness, accountability, and the cultivating of a social conscience are stressed here. It is a gem of a school.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter attends Pilgrim and it is such a great environment. She is really thriving there - the teachers are incredible. Pilgrim is a great community of families, too - very welcoming and supportive. We are really lucky to be a part of it. I can't say enough about how great this school is.
—Submitted by a parent

Outstanding school. Warm, welcoming environment. Excellent, innovating and caring teachers. No students fall through the cracks. Children succeed at Pilgrim, high school, and beyond. This is an exceptional school.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in the 2nd grade at Pilgrim and she's been there since kindergarten. Its a very small, safe and friendly neighborhood school. Pilgrim boasts of test scores that are well above average. So far, I am very pleased with the individual attention my daughter has received. Since it is a small school with a limited budget, the extracurricular activities are also limited. However, the school does have girls & boys basketball teams, a track & field team and volleyball. There are also musical groups for kids of all ages. Pilgrim has just started a foreign language program and will be expanding it science curriculum soon. BTW, the tuition is very affordable for a private school.
—Submitted by Tom, a parent