Jane Addams Elementary School

Jane Addams has been an exceptional school for my 2 kids - 4th and 6th grades - for their entire elementary school years so far. The teachers are outstanding and completely willing and eager to engage with me as a parent. We have yet to have anything but high caliber teacher for either child. It may be that since I keep in contact with my kids' teachers on concerns, progress, etc, that they are more enthusiastic to work with me. But whatever it is, they have been absolutely wonderful. They have often reached out to me to let me know good things my kids have accomplished. And they've done the same when they have areas of concern, and offer ideas on how both they and I can help the kids more. The principal and staff also are exceptional. They completely focus on and care about these kids. They are consistent and driven to make these kids a success, yet compassionate and flexible. I'm genuinely happy to have my kids at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son goes to Jane Addams and my husband and I are very happy with his progress. He has been at Jane Addams k-4 and each teacher has challenged and encouraged him in each and every grade. The teachers we have had the pleasure of working with have always been very responsive and open. The whole staff at Jane Addams are great. We are very proud that our son goes to Jane Addams.
—Submitted by a parent

teacher refuses to acknowledge my pta slip wont talk to me only calls my husband i have placed notes,slips and homework certain ways in my sons backpack and they are still that way when he gets home meaning the teacher mrs biro isn't taking them or even looking at them . she addresses letters sent home only to my husband we do not have the same last name even though we are married (for personal reasons) how disrespectful and discriminatory is that?I'm pulling my son out of this 2 hr a day kindergarten class as soon as i can.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school in terms of organization and quality teaching. My experience with special education was great and everything was in order and on time, the teachers and the staff, including the director participated in the meetings and the planning. A few extracurricular actvities around the year, but students learn how to use the computer, and the reading program helps a lot to increase reading understanding.
—Submitted by a parent

Jane Addams is one of the smaller schools in District 15. It also has a very diverse population. My experience has been with K-3rd gradeand most has been positive. Teachers are great with feedback. They have been available by phone or email. I have worked in the library and computer lab. The library is top notch and continues to evolve for the children. But the computer system is old and out of date. Music is taught by an outstanding teacher. The children are taught to play the recorder in third grade. Musical instuments are introduced in 5th. Art has been reduced drastically due to budget cuts. Sports is concentrated during gym class, there is hardly any after school except for 6th graders. There is a small but strong group of parent volunteers. But the parents do come out in force for school events.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is concerned with the dollar, not the children.
—Submitted by a former student

We moved here from Robert Frost (Prospect Heights, IL), where my first grader's teacher was going to great lengths to make sure my daughter was challenged. They had a wonderful reading enrichment program, and spelling tests based on the childs level, not the box education I've found at Jane Addams. The teacher has basically told me that my daughter isn't as bright as I think she is, and if she's not challenged that it's her own fault. She promised to try to come up with ways for my daughter to work closer to her level (she's tested to fourth grade English level) and hasn't. Long story short, I'm withdrawling my daughter and putting her in home schooling. Jane Addams seems to care for very little but the numbers. I wish I hadn't transferred her out of her last school.
—Submitted by JL, a parent

This is a great school. All the teachers are very good. All of their academic programs are great. The extracurricular programs are just wonderful and the teachers that teach the classes are very good with the kids and the kids really like the teachers. many students have fun. All the teahcers are wonderful because they help the child understand what they need help with and you can communicate with them any time that you have a question about your daughter or son. And the teachers have metting with the parents and it's great because you get to see how good your son/daughter is doing. Many parents get notes send home for important metting which is great. Many parents are involved with what is going on in the school. It's a great school with great students that are ready to learn and want to actually learn. It is a school where,they,have,fun,while,they,learn!
—Submitted by a former student