Serving over 370,000 students, Chicago has the third-largest school district in the country. The city is home to many academic and educational facilities, making it challenging to find the right one.
However, this is a good thing because parents and guardians are likely to find suitable matches for students.
This guide looks at the many facets of schools in the city. These include why public schools are still outstanding, the best charter schools, things to do at Chicago summer schools, and more. But these are just a few of the critical details in this guide. There is more than you can expect when it comes to Chicago schools.
Let us have a look at them.
Why Public Schools are Still Great
Almost everywhere you look today, you will come across information on opponents of public schools' quality. They often say that private schools are the only way to go, but this also has unique challenges.
A school report showed that the flawed perspective on public schools is more of a belief system than a policy theory. Below are some of the few key reasons why public schools are still outstanding:
Public Schools Have Excellent Community Relations
Many public schools have been in the academic scene for years. They are often crucial aspects of the communities in which you will find them. The government has also done well to improve education programs over the years and on a nationwide scale.
Nowadays, public schools do more than to address academic issues alone. They also engage in various co-curricular activities, including academic clubs, sports events, concerts, seminars, and more.
These are all important in developing good relations with the community, which can help develop education programs.
However, the same resources are not usually available in privatized setups. Plus, such institutions go for rented areas, storefronts, and locations to meet stakeholders' needs. Thus, private schools fail to consider the needs of the community. Some public, academic facilities classify as charter schools, which also have immense participation from the students' parents and guardians.
Public Schools Have Excellent Teachers
When selecting the right school for your kids, go for the types that have excellent teachers. The teachers in public schools often receive various lucrative privileges and recognition from the state.
It’s a huge factor behind the immense number of good teachers you will find in most such schools today.
The theory is quite contrary to what most people think because these schools are often free. Or, they usually have reduced fee programs, which means that teachers are not well paid. However, the state and various regulatory boards ensure that teachers in these schools are well compensated.
The state has come up with multiple improvement protocols, which they have applied to enhance education standards. A good example would be oversight programs they use to evaluate teachers and academic facilities' specific performances.
Public Schools Have Excellent Diversity
Since these schools have free resources, they are more likely to attract people from different backgrounds than their private counterparts.
It’s the perfect social environment for your child to start their journey to becoming academics. Plus, the diversity also extends to the quality of educational programs offered at the given facility.
The government and educational regulatory agencies have also promoted diversity in the staff members available for such roles. A diverse environment can have positive and lasting impacts on students. Furthermore, it helps ensure international students with English as the second language can be comfortable. Using this approach means that students from these schools will get excellent social and academic exposure.
Things You Need to Know About School Districts
School districts play an essential role in the activities of schools in the country. These are agencies that wield immense power in education systems.
For instance, they manage funding for public schools and are often at the heart of state reform procedures. These can include reforms such as coming up with oversight procedures for the many schools in the jurisdictions.
Below are a few key facts.
They Receive Philanthropic Grants
Plus, various education agencies often give philanthropic donations to these districts to help improve their operations. There are over 10,000 school districts in the country, with a significant role in various academic procedures. They are responsible for controlling hundreds of billions of dollars in the academic realm.
Federal Agencies are Involved
Furthermore, the state and federal agencies often focus their solutions for reforms on the school districts. The main reason for this is because the districts have direct control over a specific number of schools.
The most successful venture of school districts in the country would be the implementation of teacher oversight programs. These programs' role was to ensure teachers can meet specific standards in offering academic help to students.
The School District for Chicago is the CPS. Its official reference name by the state is the City of Chicago School District number 299. It is the third biggest in the country and oversees an average of 600 schools and 300,000 students. They cooperate with federal agencies to help control the quality of education and access to academic resources.
Use Selective Admission Techniques
These provide selective admission procedures to ensure the best outcomes for the schools. Plus, they also have classical and regional gifted facilities. The classical facilities provide the conventional education one is likely to find at most learning institutions. The Regional Gifted Centers focus on a specific topic area, which is sometimes science and languages. The admission techniques also apply to the teachers and staff members at academic facilities.
They Control Finances of Schools
Like all school districts in the country, the CPS controls schools' various financial and funding activities.
The organization oversees the management and release of these finances for improving public education resources. It's one of the main reasons Chicago receives a large portion of funding from the county's state and local agencies.
The CPS district also regulates enrollment in a few schools in the city. It performs oversight procedures to ensure that all students receive an equal chance in the positions available in the city’s education facilities.
With such an extensive portfolio, it's easy to see why many people regard the CPS as a successful entity.
Qualities of High Schools in Chicago
High schools are part of the most critical steps in the academic journeys of your child. It’s the only time they can prepare as required for the things they will learn in college.
Choosing the right one may not be easy because the city features several high schools. Any good school in the city will have the following programs available:
Comprehensive Four-Year Programs
The high schools in the city have four-year programs that also focus on developing students' academic skills. Chicago city schools are also well known countrywide for having excellent graduation rates.
Most of the high schools have various oversight programs that help boost the quality of education. Aside from academics, these schools have amenities that include sports, medical, social facilities, and more. These four-year programs are successful because most students demonstrate excellent graduation rates.
Regulatory Approval
Various agencies in the country control the quality of education, both in private and public schools.
Every school has to be recognized by such facilities because it’s a good way of measuring the quality of education. Every school in the city has to undergo oversight procedures from such organizations.
You are also likely to come across schools with approval for organizations such as the IB world school. An excellent example of such a school would be Taft High School.
Such organizations ensure schools take up initiatives to provide suitable environments for students. A good example would be schools that have partner school programs. These partner schools help to accommodate additional students, and the quality of resources is still exceptional.
Parent-Teacher Initiatives
Teachers and parents have to find ways to collaborate to help students meet their coursework obligations. Thus, high schools in the city implement high-quality parent-teacher initiatives. These include regular meetings and sharing of useful feedback about the academic performance of the students.
Teachers can gain helpful information about the students and their habits from their parents. The parents can gain the insight they can use to ensure students follow through with their academic obligations. North Chicago Community High School is famous for its excellent parent-teacher initiatives.
Advanced placement
These are programs that apply to all schools in the country. It’s a technique they use to prepare high school students for college-level exams. The programs involve specialized tests and coursework programs.
Students that surpass certain thresholds in performance may credit course grants. West Chicago High School (WCCHS) is an excellent example of a school in the city with AP programs. Plus, some academic facilities also work to customize these programs to suit specific coursework programs.
Middle Schools – A Basic Guide
Many kids have fun in middle school as it’s the only time they officially start engaging in scheduled syllabuses and courses. However, it can only be fun and useful for the child when it’s the right academic facility.
These schools are several in the city, and gaining insight into the topic can be convenient. You are likely to find these schools in the city's most populated areas, but with an excellent teacher to student ratios.
Self-Contained Academic Facilities with IB Approval
Middle schools in Chicago have several self-contained academic facilities. Plus, they work continuously to maintain an excellent teacher to student ratio. These schools are often receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and benefits.
Usually, these grants come from international organizations, wealthy parents, the state, and more. The CPS often steps in to help in the effective management and use of these funds.
Here are some important things to look for in self-contained academic facilities.
Excellent Student to Teacher Ratio
Some Chicago middle schools have an excellent student to teacher ratio, with many of them graduating with excellent results. Leman Middle School is an excellent example of a school with an outstanding student to teacher ratio.
Dynamic Co-Curricular Schedules
The school's co-curricular activity schedule should be exceptional and help provide your child with various useful life skills. Students that fail to meet their coursework goals will have to go for specialized remedial classes.
It's one of the main reasons behind the immense success of these facilities. Aside from academics, the middle school should have various sporting facilities, including a soccer pitch, basketball court, indoor swimming pool, and more. It’s the primary way through which the school can engage students to become complete individuals. Northwest Middle School is one with a diverse array of co-curricular activities and resources.
Undergo Regular Oversight Procedures
Various organizations in the city, such as the Chicago Public Schools District (CPS), perform oversight procedures. They are often researching any challenges that students, teachers, and parents face.
These are all problems that relate to academic facilities and students that are registered in the city. The common categories such organizations handle include sexual violation, marginalization, codes of conduct, and more. Using this approach helps ensure academic facilities tackle all student issues the right way.
Elementary Schools in Chicago Tips
Elementary schools are primary schools, where children learn various basic concepts that will be important for their academics. The city has a long list of some of the best elementary schools in the country.
Students in this category classify between the ages of 5-11. It’s a delicate point in time for students, and parents have the role of selecting the right facility for their child. The number of schools in the city is immense. Consider these tips:
Find a Good Fit
Before finding a suitable academic environment for your little one, consider a few key factors. These can include:
- The things your child will learn are academic quality and subject matter
- How your child responds to academics and their performances
- Their social needs such as contact with peers
- Your home's proximity to the school
Setting a Focus
Focusing on the right things when choosing a school can have many benefits for your child's quality of education. These types of schools provide different types of academic levels and specialized procedures.
A good example would be when you have a child whose primary language is foreign. You may have to get them to school with an English Second Language (ESL) rating. Such a school has the resources they need to adapt to academic programs offered in the country. More so, you can also choose schools with a religious slant or a focus on arts.
Research on Scores
While test scores may not show everything about school, they are essential in determining students' likely performances. The research can focus on the specific type of school or perhaps location-based factors. A recent report recommends that parents have to research school ratings. Furthermore, another useful approach would be to research the graduate success levels of school. Usually, such schools often incorporate the information on portfolios or their websites.
Prepare a List of Schools
The city is home to over 300 elementary schools, and choosing the right one can be a hassle. Preparing a list of a few of these top-rated schools can make things convenient. They might include:
- Lincoln Elementary School – Started in 1871, Abraham Lincoln Elementary school is one of the country's oldest schools. It’s a neighborhood school that continues to excel in various aspects of academics.
- Bell Elementary School – Bell Elementary School started officially in 2016, in Little Elm. It sits in the Eastern section of the district and gets the name from a school community member.
Private Schools in Chicago are Reliable
Private schools are an excellent platform for students to engage in academics.
They offer more controlled education settings, but the only challenge is that they come at a cost. Public schools are free, but the number of students can sometimes pose a threat to the quality of learning resources. If you can afford it, below are some of the top private schools.
High Coursework Completion Rates
Private schools in the city have various excellent resources, mostly because parents often cater to the fees. These can include multiple privileges, including outstanding student to teacher ratio, high-quality learning facilities, and more. The quality of these resources is essential because it makes it easy for students to meet coursework obligations.
Plus, most private schools often get lucrative pay schedules because of the quality of their skills. Placing your child in the hands of such professionals is likely to guarantee high coursework completion rates.
Better Classroom Attendance
The number of students at private schools is often well controlled to ensure students have equal access to resources. Thus, the quality of the academic resources at such facilities means that students are better motivated to attend school. Plus, the teachers often have strong connections with the parents or guardians of the students.
The teachers find it easy to communicate with the students' parents because of their well-controlled population. It's easy for the teachers to help students stay “on task” in these small classrooms. Plus, the low attaining or intellectually disabled receive improved attention from their teachers. Using this approach has been crucial in reducing the student achievement gap in most private schools in the city.
Access to High-Quality Sporting Resources
Sporting facilities have many benefits for academic students.
Your child will gain access to high-quality sporting facilities that can have various positive outcomes. These include citizenship, academic achievement, character, and more. Furthermore, students that excel in sports can develop into professional careers or gain access to scholarships.
The CPS in Chicago also organizes various Interschool sporting activities. The range of sporting activities can include football, basketball, baseball, and athletics. These are important in enforcing the quality of sports facilities in the city and the students' performances.
Christian School in Chicago and What you Can Expect
Religion can be a powerful moral compass for your child in life, and choosing the right school is essential. It helps ensure your child focuses on academics and also maintains their focus on leading a religious life.
If this is what you and your child prefer, then the list of options is immense in the metropolitan area. Taking your child to such a facility gives you the freedom to focus on giving them the life they deserve. Below are some of the benefits you can expect with such schools:
Strong Religious Values
The first benefit of Christian schools in the city is that they have firm religious values. You are sure your child will be in a well-controlled academic environment that also focuses on religion. The values relate to the school's mission, staff recruitment programs, daily routines, and more.
Plus, such academic facilities often incorporate Christian values such as prayer before and after sports activities. Using this approach is among the main reasons behind the high-quality education Southwest Chicago Christian School provides.
Interactive Education Programs
The Catholic schools in the city also have all-inclusive academic programs that will boost your little one’s IQ. The Chicago Westside Christian School would be an excellent example of such a facility.
The interactive environments of such schools in the city also touch on cultural factors. The Christian values promoted at these schools attract students from different cultures. It’s the perfect academic environment for socializing and academics.
Dedicated Teachers
Teachers have to go through various verification procedures before being able to join any of these schools. These are the professionals who have the role of guiding the next few years of a child's education.
Thus, schools in the city use customized selection techniques to ensure the teachers can meet specific criteria. They have to be recognized by the Chicago board of education and have experience in teaching Christian values.
Connections to a Christian Facility
Enforcing religious values is an excellent way to help students meet their academic goals. Christian schools in the city also often have strong affiliations to churches.
These connections are essential in strengthening the relationship students share with their religion. It’s an excellent way to develop a social community, where students get a sense of belonging.
Furthermore, the connections help develop the social status of school across various fronts. Thus, the school can receive better access to grants, donations, and recognition from academic, regulatory boards.
All these are privileges that mean Christian schools can produce students with strong roots in religion.
The Privileges of Charter Schools in Chicago
Charter schools refer to community-developed schools. Usually, it’s a process that involves the community, including parents, teachers, and the state. These schools have been beneficial in reducing the academic achievement gap in individual communities.
Plus, it's an initiative that helps ensure students across the city will receive equal access to academic help. If you are looking to enroll your child in a charter school, below are some of the benefits:
Free Meal Programs
The notable privilege of charter schools is free meal programs, which also apply to the many academic facilities in the country. It’s a program that provides affordable or free meals to students in the country.
Usually, it’s a program directed to students who come from low-income homes and public schools. There are many secondary benefits of such programs. These can include improving household security, which in turn helps improve the attendances of the child.
Various studies have associated these programs with improved student performance and discipline.
Special Education Programs
Commonly referred to as special ed, these programs help provide customized learning facilities and environments for students. It’s a unique approach that allows education facilities to address the specific needs of students. The benefit of these programs is they often include systematically organized teaching techniques.
The teachers will adapt these learning programs and materials to suit students with various intellectual challenges. These can include learning disabilities, ADHD, and more. Thus, they help students with special needs to realize improved self-sufficiency in school. It’s a program that is not necessarily available in regular public schools.
High College Acceptance Rates
Some states in the country don’t have reasonable college acceptance rates due to academic programs' various challenges. However, a recent study showed that Charter schools have better graduation rates than district-run schools.
The main reason for such excellent rates may be due to the superb collaboration these programs provide between the community and the teachers. Such schools often have highly interactive environments, with teachers and students from different backgrounds.
Reduced and Free Transportation
Chicago has various free transportation programs, and these include those for students as well. It’s a large city, and some students have to commute large distances to get to school. However, there are various eligibility factors to ensure students use these systems the right way.
It’s a system that consists of various bus stops at designated locations. Students have to share a few details and be registered at specific academic facilities within the jurisdiction.
Benefits of Boarding Schools
Even if you may have never thought about it, boarding schools can be an excellent place for students to grow academically. They provide the right environment for exposing your child to the hassles associated with life.
These include mental, physical, social, and financial challenges in life, which are crucial lessons. Below are some of the few key reasons why you should enroll your child in boarding school:
Excellent Platform to Prepare for College
Boarding schools are perfect for preparing for living in dorm rooms or independently. Most boarding schools have open environments to help encourage students to learn the values of being responsible.
The good thing is that they are free but under the careful watch of highly experienced academic instructors. On average, the right age to take your child to boarding schools would be between 12 to 18 years.
Provide Opportunities for Social Development
Social development is an essential facet of academics.
Boarding schools provide an immersive environment where students can focus on engaging with other students. They receive the right encouragement to engage and interact with other students. These include developing when making friends, taking responsibility, engaging in co-curricular tasks, and more.
Plus, these are all activities that occur under the supervision of highly competent teachers and instructors. Some boarding schools are also likely to have various other resources to help engage the students. A good example would be inter-school activities such as sports.
Helps Students to Focus on Academics
Most boarding schools are often private academic facilities and are likely to have excellent student-to teacher ratios. Plus, they often poach most of their educators from public schools and offer more lucrative pay options.
Therefore, boarding schools are perfect for ensuring your child receives high-end education. It will also help to maintain their focus on the positive aspects of their academics. A child who goes to day school is likely to get distracted by various issues. These can be significant issues for students with intellectual disorders.
Teachers Students Various Positive Values
Not many students prefer going to boarding schools, and parents often have to use various techniques to encourage them. The good thing about boarding schools is that they provide a more controlled environment for engaging with the students.
The teachers and other staff members of the organization have to develop a deep understanding of their specific needs.
Thus, boarding schools provide fun and restrictive environments where children can progress in academics. They can find it easy to go for remedial classes and access resources such as the library and instructors during their free time.
Things Your Kids Will Gain from Summer Schools
The summer holidays can be unusually long, and kids often get bored after the first few weeks of “freedom.” Boredom can lead to various negative social behaviors, and signing up your little one for summer schools is a good suggestion.
These are specialized camps or setups to help empower your child with specific skills. Instead of spending the entire summer playing video games or on the internet, your child can enroll in these summer setups.
Below are some of the few things your little one can do at these schools:
Gain Useful Life Skills
Most summer schools provide a specific type of education program. It may be for academics or life skills such as outdoor survival. These skills are important in helping individuals develop into productive members of society today.
These are all critical skills that will expand the perspectives your little one has on life.
Furthermore, the instructors at such setups often have immense experience in working with students each year. Thus, you can be sure your kids will receive the best education during the summer.
Work on Learning Disabilities
Some students have learning disabilities. Thus, summer schools provide the perfect “out of classroom” experience to expand their skills. Usually, these setups don’t focus on teaching and testing alone but also focus on empowering students.
The student to teacher ratio at such setups is also controlled explicitly by various entities, such as education boards. Thus, parents can be sure that their little ones will be receiving top-notch attention.
It's an important facet of education for children that have learning challenges.
Prepare for Campus Life
Your child will likely proceed to campus or college after graduating from high school. Any savvy parent will know that preparing students ahead of time for specific learning programs can have many benefits.
For instance, it helps expose them to environments with situations that encourage them to become independent.
It’s the same concept when it comes to summer schools. They are like summer boarding schools, only that they often last for a few days or weeks. Thus, they provide the perfect platform for your child to balance academics and discipline required to achieve their goals.
To Encourage Positive Social Habits
Students, especially kids, like to engage in negative social behaviors such as excessive video games, movies, and more. These habits can be challenging to control in the summer when you also have to report to work.
Thus, rather than let your child get bored or distracted, sign them up for summer school. They may be against it at first, but it’s an excellent way to help enforce positive values on your child.
Education for All
Overall, education is the right of every child today. Children have the right to an equal education regardless of their backgrounds, personal characteristics, social status, or more. The state, local agencies, and various educational boards have done an excellent job to ensure students can gain access to academic resources.
Chicago is a perfect example because it's home to several educational facilities. So, aside from being one of the most exciting cities globally, Chicago is also a reliable academic center.