Viola L. Sickles Elementary School

Where do I begin?? I believe whole heartedly the principal of this school has no people skills. On many ocasions we have come face to face at the entrance of the school and not once has she ever said a hello. She only is concerned with meaningless dribble and projects a negative disposition to those she is not palsy-walsy with. The teachers have no clue at resolving problems between students. They push everything onto an unqualified school counselor who has good intentions but is not able to make an impartial decision without the principal's final judgement, even though the principal heard the problem not first hand but third hand. This school is all about appearences and not about really bringing out the best in the students.
--Submitted by a parent

Teachers are very poor at communicating with parents. Clear separation between working mothers and stay at home mothers. Principal caters to stay at home mothers and their children. School environment can sometimes feel sterile. Looks can be deceiving @ Sickles. Expectation that parents make many financial contributions to the school. Education my child received was average. Did not feel the teachers make extra time to help.
--Submitted by a parent

I have had my two children at other private and public schools and we fortunately landed at Sickles due to a professional relocation. The school is excellent in regards to its educational programs, special assistance programs, and classroom and outdoor environment. The Teachers, Principal and Volunteers are great to work with and the kids feel safe and motivated to do their best in the classroom and community. Bottom line, excellent school, excellent community and finally we feel we can see our tax dollars going to good use!
--Submitted by a parent

The students are not challenged at all. They have a 0 tolerance anti bullying policy but the students are treated differently, not matter who was the bully. The principal and teachers are rude and with no people skills. They don't make you feel welcome. Writing and reading programs are very good. There's practically no Science or Social Studies. There's also discrimination and racism. The staff does not accept diversity. It is very sad that they are not teaching the students what tolerance, respect and racial diversity is.
--Submitted by a parent

I had two kids go through this school and I do not have ONE single complaint! The teachers are amazing, the principal (just retired) was the best, and the staff is helpful. AMAZING school!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

At least they get recess at Sickles! But the City park is so muddy students spend many recesses in their rooms or library. FH's 'Everyday Math' is a horrendous program, so plan to teach math at home. So many parents buy outside tutoring that the standardized test scores don't reflect the dismal quality of the U of Chicago Everyday Math program. Reading/writing programs are stronger. Science is almost non-existent, at least through 3rd grade, so another subject to handle at home. Oh but they get Spanish almost every day. Ola! By 3rd grade, my kid can say almost every color is Spanish. Oh boy. Would prefer a good science program every day, versus the Spanish program. They do teach PowerPoint to 3rd graders !!).And the special Yoga progam (not kidding) was tres chic.
--Submitted by a parent