Ariel Elementary Community Academy

1119 East 46th Street

School District

Chicago Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
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 January 20, 2023

Ariel is okay but can do better
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2019

Horrible. Pulled kids out right on time as the so called high functioning and independent school is on ACADEMIC PROBATION!
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2017

I have loved my son's teachers. They have communicated well, they had no problems answering any questions I have and/or offering tips to help me to help my child. They have seemed very vested in his education. The members of the staff that I have had contact with (aside from the principal) have also been very helpful with any information or assistance I needed. I like his teachers and I've spoken to other parents in the grades ahead of my child and looks like we may (and that's a huge maybe) do one more year here and that will be it.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2017

The children are out of control there, cursing and very loud in hallways. No respect when a parent is present. My son goes here and I'm look for a new school for him to attend
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2016

The teachers Ive dealt with are very involved in my daughters education. She has excelled with extra attention and help out of there own time. This is a caring body of teachers that I have came across and the line of communication is always open for more involvement. My child has had a great school experience and this is only the beginning.
Submitted by parent on March 29, 2016

I do not have enough room to describe how inadequate and unprofessional this school is. First, why are parents required to send things like copy paper and paper towels to a school that is sponsored by a MULTIMILLION dollar company (Ariel Investments), while that company donates millions of dollars to the UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LAB SCHOOL? Secondly, I don't know which is poorer: the condition of the school (broken, rusty doors, filthy walls and floors, clothes in the stairwell, trash outside of the school, etc., etc...) or principal Lenette Coleman's poor, dry, uncaring and unprofessional attitude. She is engaging with her "favorite" parents but ignores the rest of us. I've seen this in action over several years. She is not a representation of excellence, and this contradicts the mission of the school. If I could give this school NO stars I would, and I agree with every other low rating because it's the TRUTH. Shameful.
Submitted by parent on November 26, 2014

Ariel Community Academy is a great school that places a value on critical thinking while working with the children to circumvent unstructured learning. From the principal, teachers, counselors, security and lunch personnel, the commitment from them is evident every day. Additionally, there are various affinity groups that work with the young men and activities that help with promoting an environment where students are challenged to think creatively about what they are learning. Thank you Ariel for making our child's experience an excellent one!
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2014

If you are searching for a school where the administration (i.e. Dr. Coleman, Ms. Madkins and all of the exceptional teachers) talks and educates not only your child but you about managing finances. Children are taught to follow financial markets and as a class make investments; they are assisted by industry practitioners that understand how to make money with financial markets. We have been with Ariel for four years and can't wait for the school year to start. They really are a wonderful community school and I applaud all the hard work the staff and administration (even Althea and the rest of the culinary workers) put into educating your child.
Submitted by other on June 21, 2013

Quality of this school has gone down. Disappointed in the administration for letting so many things occur. The students are unruly, the teachers yell endlessly at the chidlren, there are little to no field trips. My children will not be returning. I can't wait until the administration realizes there is an issue and things get better.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2013

I'm a very concerned that this school has taken a turn for the worse. This school is definitely not what it used to be. There are so many behavior problems now. The students are cursing, running, screaming and a few of the teachers and staff are worse than the kids. I don't want to name anyone personally but threatening kids is unaccpetable. The kids are indeed out of control but there has got to be a way to handle these chidlren. Children are being exposed to inappropriate behavior and subject matter that they would otherwise not be exposed to. I don't know where these students came from or what happened to change things so dramatically. The climate has definitely changed at Ariel from the parents to the students. One child left in 6th grade and my other 2 won't be returning. Dr. Coleman has gotten extremely lax and I'm dissappointed and disgusted.
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2013

When My children began attending Ariel I thought it was a great thing. That was until this year when the 4th/5th grade Writing and Social Studies teacher Mr. Brown slapped my daughter. Although he will not admit it, he has admitted to a staff member that he threatened to slap her. He has also been putting her, and other students in the closet. He's even grabbed my other daughter by her arms and shaken her. The principal Dr. Coleman won't do anything to protect my child. She acts as if nothing has happened. That frightens me. My daughters are scared to go back to school, and I feel helpless. Ariel is currently on academic probation, and now there is a teacher that is a threat to students. Parents have to worry about the safety of their children when they are not in the classroom. They shouldn't have to worry about the safety of their children inside of the classroom. Especially when teachers are supposed to protect them, not strike and threaten them!
Submitted by other on February 24, 2013

ariel is a good school that most of my friends go to I am trying to get enrolled here as soon as possible I will be a credit to ariel not a regret
Submitted by other on January 01, 2013

HOW CAN I START OK ARIEL IS THE GREATES BUT ONE THING I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR 1 YAR ALREADY I WANTED MY CHILD TO GET IN THERE BUT IT IS A LOTTRY SO I DONT UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE LOTTRY THING SO NOW I FOUND OUT THAT MY COUSINS CHILD IS GOING THEIR WITH OUT A PROBLEM SHE IS IN 6 GRDE SO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM ?????????????????????????????????????????? I AM SO LOST ???????????????????
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2011

I think that Ariel is a good school and can be great with some tweaking. They have extracurricular activities for the youth, strong teachers, and a good principal that works hard on behalf of the students. They need better character education and monitoring of the older students (4-8th grades) because they can be quite disrespectful, belligerent, and obnoxious. That makes me fearful about my child staying there long term due to these negative influences. I'm sure these older students are smart; they just refuse to use their home training when unsupervised afterschool and in the hallways. The foul language would make a sailor blush and it's not cute. Overall, I love the school and my daughter does as well.
Submitted by parent on March 29, 2011

Excellent school for students who come to school to learn. Small class sizes, wonderful teachers who are committed to the students at Ariel. A positive, enriched environment for students. Ariel ISAT scores are excellent and the students have a variety of extra curriculum activities.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2011

Ariel is a great school for students to persue different areas of interest. They have partnered with different programs offered in Chicago including Metro Squash through the University of Chicago. I had two children graduate and go on to excel in high school and one who has a full scholarship at college. I also have a student currently attending who is very involved in activities and does well each year on standardized tests.