Alcott College Prep

2625 North Orchard Street

School District

Chicago Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 02, 2023

We selected Alcott specifically for the diverse learner program and our all of our expectations have been greatly exceeded. The support teachers, school psychologist and speech pathologist are top notch and have helped our son thrive. In addition, our daughter who does not require additional supports, has felt challenged and engaged and is also thriving. There is an amazing community of teachers and families who support the school. The principal is an effective leader and is thoughtful and kind while still creating high standards for the entire school. The school clerk and security guard make all feel welcome and safe. We absolutely love Alcott and the entire community.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2023

We researched schools extensively before selecting Alcott for our children. While we also received offers from a number of other top CPS schools via the lottery, we’re so happy we went with this one. It’s a place where my kids are academically challenged, but still a carefree and nurturing environment where they just get to be kids and explore the world. It’s been a great fit for all my kids who have different interests and personalities. Administration is open to feedback, communicates regularly with families on a range of relevant topics, and the door is always open for families to contribute their time and resources in ways that are important to them. P.S. We love the Mandarin program!
Submitted by teacher on August 01, 2023

Rundown. Disappointing new principal. Poor communication. Big donors call the shots and get special treatment. Some reviews on here seem to be fake. Rude, disorganized front office. Inaccessible for wheelchairs. Lack support for those who need extra help, disabilities, learning diabilities, social-emotional. Bullying tolerated. Elitism promoted. Racism tolerated.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2021

Alcott is not just a school, it is a community. Teachers, administration, and parents all care about the school, the kids, and the entire community. After Skinner, which is selective enrollment (!), Alcott sends the most kids to selective enrollment high schools in CPS. Alcott is diverse in every sense of the word, and we celebrate our differences.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2021

I feel literally grateful to the teachers my son has had. They've gone far above and beyond, both in-person (pre-pandemic) and virtually (during the pandemic). Mailing my son gifts, having great supplies (including party favors for virtual celebrations), thoughtful 1:1 time, and chats. I'm just beyond thankful. The principal also is just as caring as caring can be.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2020

Alcott is an amazing school due to the truly caring and engaged teachers and also, in part, to parent involvement. The fact that a public, neighborhood school has individual, dedicated classrooms for science, music, art, Mandarin, is tremendous. We remain impressed that our kids learn Mandarin as part of the curriculum. The administration is also very thoughtful in handling student and parent concerns-- generally dealing with them on the same day. The sense of community among the kids is outstanding as well. Having K-8th grade here helps the kids feel confident and secure. The teachers also intentionally have younger grades interacting with older ones for mentoring including "reading buddies" which truly enriches everyone's experience and learning.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2020

I cannot imagine a better experience than Alcott! Our daughter is in 5th grade and has had an amzing 6 years at Alcott! From the arts and music programs to the athletics and learning and community feel with the parents being so active - absolutely 5 out of 5 stars!
Submitted by parent on August 03, 2019

Alcott is absolutely amazing! They care about your child development and the staff is incredible!
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2019

I have 3 boys. I am thrilled that they have the opportunity to go to Alcott. Yes, this school is tough, and parents need to be involved to ensure their child does not fall behind but the faculty and administration want to see the success of their kids...and they have built a culture exuding their desire for successful learning. This is why we support Alcott both with our time and with our money. We could not be happier.
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2018

We've loved our experience since moving over from Lincoln this past year. The sense of community and atmosphere is a welcome change from our previous experience. Keep it up Alcott!
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2018

We have been so happy so far in our second year at alcott. We really feel like our children are getting individually pushed but also supported. The science curriculum is especially strong and one of the reasons we moved in neighborhood
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2017

Alcott feels like family. The older kids are kind and look after the little kids, the teachers get to know every student (regardless of grade), the parents are welcome in the school at anytime, the administration is very present and welcoming. The J at School staff is present throughout the day and plays an integral role in helping teachers during recess, lunch, etc. Everyone at the school is always smiling and laughing - kids and adults - its amazing! The kids learn Chinese and Computers/Coding starting in Kindergarten!
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2017

My child is only in first grade, so our experience is somewhat limited. But so far we are thrilled. The teachers are very communicative, the after school is terrific. Every time I observe kids on the playground, all ages- no one is excluded. Older kids are very kind to younger kids, they all seem to know each other. The principal is direct and clear in his vision and will fight for what is best for the school. The assistant principal is the heart and the head principal is the fist- good combination for a CPS. They take great care of the school and it's community. The parents are very active and the financial donations go to very specific things that are communicated to the parents, so we feel we have a say into where our fundraising goes. We feel lucky to have our son at Alcott.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2017

Alcott is a gem of a school. The teachers are all motivated and WANT to be there for the students. And the community is supportive and welcoming.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2017

Great curriculum and community- and most importantly my children love going to school at Alcott.
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2016

Excellent school. My kids love it there. The teachers and curriculum are top notch, which is why kids from around the city try to test in. (It is our neighborhood school, so we did not have to test in.) The school is in a great neighborhood and a short walk away, which is convenient. It also has a Pre-K program, which was extremely convenient when our kids were little (everyone goes to the same place instead of multiple stops at a separate preschool for morning drop-off and evening pick-up). I have been impressed with the principal (Mr. Estrada), who has high but reasonable expectations for students and teachers alike. The school enjoys tremendous support from the parents (especially Friends of Alcott), which is why it is a choice destination for the best teachers in the system. The physical amenities are very good -- especially the new "Field of Dreams" artificial turf soccer field (again, thanks to the efforts of Mr. Estrada and Friends of Alcott). And the school supports many programs and clubs for the kids, including through the J at School after school program. The teachers have been very responsive to any questions or issues we have raised. In all, we have had an extremely good experience at the school.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2016

Great curriculum and enhancements, from Mandarin to yoga to STEM fairs, music, art and tech classes, great after school options.
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2015

Alcott has a wonderful principal, great teachers, and some of the most supportive and active parents (including "Friends of" group) in the city. And, with the brand new, multi-million dollar outdoor space, has some of the best sports infrastructure in the entire city.
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2014

My sons love Alcott. The teachers are fabulous and the parent association is very active.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2013

My child has been at Alcott for 4 years and we are incredibly lucky to have found this amazing community! The school is one of only a handful of PK-12 CPS schools and has recently unveiled a 5-year strategic plan to ensure growth for all students and move the school from great to greatest. The new administration is truly terrific - the principal is professional, engaged, pragmatic, decisive, focused on data-driven instruction, and very open to parent involvement. We have a very active, welcoming community that encourages volunteerism and demonstrates to our students what can be done when an engaged parent base works closely with a focused administration to make a CPS school the best that it can be.