Amundsen High School

I agree that this school has a very undeserved bad rep. Before we moved here, I was so worried about sending my daughter to this school because of all we had heard. But the staff were wonderful. Ms. Farfan was so helpful and got my daughter enrolled right away. The faculty at this school is very proactive in the students' educations--instead of just sitting back waiting for the students to fail, they make sure they take every step to catch problems early. I'm so glad we "had to get stuck" with this school!
—Submitted by a parent

This School is better than most people realize. The teachers at this school are very helpful and always give chances to finish up late work. It's right next to a soccer field,football stadium,3 baseball fields, and a park has it's own parking for students and teachers. The only problem that I notice are the students don't pay attention or really try to do the work not all of the students are like that though. It's still a very good school.
—Submitted by a student

It's a great school all you have to do is choose your friends right, and they'll be your great friends throughout the year/
—Submitted by a student

I used to attend Amundsen, and I truly believe that it's reputation is thanks to the students. I am not saying that the school or faculty isn't at fault either. I constantly heard from students that Amundsen wasn't a great school, but I never heard them say that they would stop cutting class or work harder. Amundsen does offer some programs that can help students academically and personally. I understand that sometimes teachers may give up on students but they also have to be the one's to encourage them to change their ways. I believe that there shouldn't be a friendship between students and security. There were many incidents in which I saw security allow a student to cut class, or letting them off the hook when they've done wrong. Amundsen is always striving for the better of the school, staff and students. Unfortunately, it hasn't happened, YET! Good luck AHS!
—Submitted by a student

I visited the school during Report Card Pick Up day and I was very happy with the way I was received and directed. The faculty and the office was very polite. The school was very clean and the event was well attended. Congratulations to the Principal who works very hard and is one of the few children's advocates in this system. Keep up the good work and all the parents will support you forever. Thank you!
—Submitted by a parent

I think every seems to be miss judgement about Amundsen, this schoolas such gifted staff members ,teachers and the princial walks the halls to ensure every one in his school is safe what better place for a child to learn a safe and caring enviroment that has gifted teachers great job amundsen
—Submitted by a parent

Amundsen school has got to be the worst school in Chicago. Teachers are lacking on motivation, Munos only cares about the 'allusion' of a good school. But I have to send my child here because it is the closest. I'm a single parent and cant afford anything else.
—Submitted by a parent

Amundsen High School is very good determined high school.Although its very notorious in the end,the notorious part is all rumors.The IB program is a program I would most definitely recommend to any parent who is thriving for their child to receive a good education its IB program beats schools regular programs.Its a very rigorous program which is only for the smartest students in Amundsen,people who were in this IB program have been very successful ending up in Universities like Loyola,Northwestern and Columbia.Overall,this school is school is very nice,firm and determined school which is not comparable to schools such as Roosevelt,Senn,Mather and Taft it is reaching its peak to academic excellence.
—Submitted by a parent

As an active parent, I feel the school need more extracurricular activites and more teacher involvement. CPS allows a certain amount of funds for these types of programs but there are a limited amount of teachers willing to particiate. This school has potential, expecially with the IB program, Advance Placement program, and Honors program, the students need an out from all of the studying. Mr. Munoz the new principle seems to support and attend most of the sports activities, and seem to have a good relationship with the students.
—Submitted by a parent

This school needs more parent involvement. Most of the kids are supposed to be average and above average in their class performance but without better parental concern about their children this school will have hard time improving academically.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm currently a freshman, going into my sophomore year. I feel that the whole uniform issue is not a problem. I'm actually glad that their is one. It removed alot of the 'gang representation.' The only reason I'm attending is for the simple fact that their is an I.B. program, ( I have been in the I.B. since sixth grade.) I felt that if I was in a smaller I.B., my chances of getting any type of scholarship would go up. I am cuurently ranked third out of 449 freshman. The people which I associate myself with are bright, iteligent, motivated individuals. Do not get the wrong impression, I do not gloat about my achievements. I just do not want to be percieved as a moron for the simple fact that I attend Amundsen. Amundsen took three years to produce the first I.B. diploma, Lincoln Park took seven years.
—Submitted by a student

Amundsen in one of the very few Chicago Public Schools where students can actually learn a musical instrument and be part of a real orchestra or choir. There are only 4 high schools like that (Amundsen being one of them) in the entire CPS system. You get as much out of the Amundsen experience as much as you put into it. If one shows interest towards any subject or organization it wont be overlooked, but rather helped. I was good in math and my math teacher pushed me to compete in the city wide math competition. Same in music - thanks for Mr. Rico. I am in pharmacy school now and I do visit Amundsen frequently. I see more security then before but if one has nothing to hide, it shouldnt be a problem. I gone through it myself. You have to motivate yourself - teachers are there to inspire only.
—Submitted by Zita Molnar, a former student

I dont understand this school.I mean its my school but we as students here feel as prisoners rather students. With the uniforms and overflowing cops. I feel that im in prison. Latly our school has been having problems and our principal has been overseeing them.!HElp the students
—Submitted by a student

Im a student at Amundsen and lately i have been feeling as if im in prison with the new uniform dress codes Im helpless with tese issues even though im a student. Plus our Princpal doest pay any attention to whats goin on!
—Submitted by a parent

Generations change within the school over the years. Now it is crash landing down. From what I had seen before the 90s. The school was at its highest peak but does not reach it anymore due to the types of students mostly there such as gangs. Fights break out often. Its hardly safe since teens these days are getting more rough. Students now argue over the fact of uniforms and no student is happy over that. Some teachers are nice and helpful while some are not helpful to the student. The students are disappointed and disgusted over ridiculous things such as being suspended for no uniform. The class work is simple and everyone could do it. The IB is a worthy program to go to if you plan to attend. The school does offer nice activites for everyone such as clubs and tutoring.
—Submitted by Chris S, a student

When I came to amundsen high school I didnt feel safe at all. The security guards dont make a effort to get the students out of the hallways and into class. The teachers show a lack of interest in the students. Fights break out weekly and sometimes daily. The whole appearence of the school is not well at all. It's not a school that I would ever go back to or a school that I would suggest to anyone.
—Submitted by Ivana P., a student