Carl Sandburg Middle School

Our daughter is a seventh grader. She has an IEP for learning disabilities. Although the teachers make an effort to accommodate her educational needs, the resources aren't available to provide as much support as she needs; too many kids with IEP's are in specific classes, so kids without behavioral issues tend to 'get lost'. Although we believe the staff makes a good effort, there is not enough follow through. The principal is generally uninvolved/unavailable unless problems become severe.
—Submitted by a parent

Our 8th grader has an IEP and has been at CSMS since 6th grade. School district U-46 in Bartlett told me to never expect him to be in a regular classroom! What a different attitude we found in Mundelein! Teachers are involved and interested in every student's academic success. Almost all are available to contact through e-mail, and I have never had teachers or administrators not respond to concerns. Many classes such as Language Arts and Math are 'team tought' with two teachers insuring students get adequate attention. Teachers have at least some time each week that they are available during the day (before school, after, or during lunch) for students to ask questions or recieve help outside of class. The band program is top notch. This is a school environment where teachers and students are expected to work hard, and parents to be informed and involved.
—Submitted by a parent

i think the academic program is very rigorous. the teachers are very involved with the students and very caring. they have a great choir, show choir and the best bands i have ever heard in a middle school. there is a great sports program and very many clubs and after school activities to choose from. the parents are very invovled and provide many extras for the kids. my kids were in a catholic school in the city where i was paying ove4 $5,000 to send them to school each year...and what they offered wasn't even close to what carl sandburg offers.
—Submitted by a parent

The fine arts programs at CSMS (band, art, music courses, choir) are top-notch, and anyone can join. The teachers are all really good. They strive to make school a challenge for everyone; there are gifted programs of varying levels in both Language Arts and Math. The teachers seem to care about everyone, and have a great personal connection with their students.
—Submitted by a student

Very little assistance is available for the students. The school is very slow with implementing an IEP plan. They rely highly on the parents to be 100% involved and do not notify of problems until they are to the extreme. The teachers seem too overwhelmed and don't seem to care much about their individual students. There dress code is very strict and there lunch plan is extremely expensive. Bullies are a problem. I have 2 students currently enrolled and have started looking into private schools recently.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter just finished her 8th grade year here. The quality of the teachers is mixed. Some are top notch; others not so great, but isn't it like that everywhere? She was able to take the ACT this year, pretty good for an 8th grader, so apparently she learned something. Her younger brother has learned a lot, but emphasis on ADHD and even following the law as it pertains to 504 plans is very weak.
—Submitted by a parent