Calmeca Academy Elementary School

3456 West 38th Street

School District

Chicago Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
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 February 03, 2025

This school is worse than you imagine. For heaven sake, don't send your kids to this school.
Submitted by parent on July 30, 2024

Calmeca is such a great school. I love how the principal does a lot for the students and staff. There are so many activities and exploratory classes for the students. Calmeca always have so many after-school activities to get the family and community involved. Calmeca has zero tolerance for Bullying. Calmeca Is structured and a well discipline school. My kids love coming here. My niece who goes to N. Davis which is also near Calmeca wants to be transferred her too. This says a lot. As a parent and CPS employee I really recommend Calmeca.
Submitted by teacher on February 02, 2016

I worked here on a temporary assignment. This is a very good school. Leadership is very strong. There is alot structure and discipline in regards to staff and students. There are also many extracurricular activities such as soccer, mariachi class, and a few more. The sense of community is very strong here. I have worked at other schools and this is by far the greatest school that i have worked in. The only con is that the classes are large, but because there is alot of organization and structure, it is not a problem.
Submitted by other on June 23, 2014

In my case my teachers are not my teachers , my principles or not my principles , my staff are not my staff. The reason I say that they are not my teachers or principles or my staff it is because I don't see them as their titles they earn by their education but. As a family member because they care for me beside them showing me new stuff in school they take time tot help me and other with our personal problems . All so they all way their for me even if your a formal student like my self . They always welcoming and loving. That why they not my teacher nor principles nor staff they are my second family so who ever is saying bad stuff about this school it's fine that what you think and I respect that but don't be angry because you don't work their but if you don't work their or you where layed off and your mad and saying bad stuff it means your hurting because you can't be their and work their because you know it's an wonderful school and they said bye to you so don't act like a child and talk stuff just be bigger person and stop hateing . So if took the time to write stuff about us .That mean we are in your mind . I love to be part of the calmeca family
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2014

La Escuela Calmeca es la mejor escuela que e visto sus maestros son lideres natos y ay mucha interacci n con los padres de Familia
Submitted by other on May 17, 2014

In respond to the teacher who works at Calmeca and loves it. Posted March 16, 2014. This is my first time writing a comment here and I would like to add that I am a teacher who was let go. I always felt that the teachers at Calmeca were excellent educators and co-workers. The friendship and willingness to help each other was what made Calmeca great. However, after having read your post I'm beginning to think that I was wrong. Unlike you, I did work on Saturdays and after school for Mrs. Garcia. I'm happy to hear you are getting paid for math night, multicultural night, special assemblies, numerous afterschool meetings, to name a few. I worked all those without pay. I'm very happy for you that your experience has been nothing but great. However, I knew more than one teacher who was extremely stressed out by the ridiculous demands of the principal. I remember when she assigned committees to execute tasks meant for administration such as figuring out everyone's schedules. Once again, I'm very happy for you. You are one of very few who has had that experience. I'm sure you are one of here favorites but remember that no one is indispensable in this world. Best of luck!
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2014

Teacher, staff and principal turn other way when is report of bullying . Worst off they take part of BULLYING .
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2014

The school looks great from the outside and when you walk through the hallways. The only problem is that the teachers look stressed out. There seem to be overworked yet they still love the place. I think the principal needs to do a better job of getting to know the students. Also, Calmeca could be so much better if they had more activities for the middle school kids. It seems like once they get to 7th and 8th grades the kids a shuffled out and have nothing to do.
Submitted by teacher on March 16, 2014

I am a teacher here and I love it. I have been there since it opened and I can tell you for a fact that our principal does everything she can for her teachers and students. We don't work weekends and we do get paid for after school programs. The person who wrote the other review is probably someone who was let go. I am pretty sure that there was a reason for them being let go and it's obvious by the negative review.
Submitted by other on May 17, 2012

This school needs work on the environment. The school seems all fine and dandy when you walk in the door, but Calmeca (OLD MCKINLEY) is not all it is cracked up to be. The Principal there does not nurture her teachers and expects them to stay after school, work on weekends, and come in early. Are they getting paid for it...not their at the rate they should be paid. The Teacher assistants are pulled in every which way, and the Special Ed. classrooms are overcrowded. I hope that they do what they can to improve the school...and stop letting great teachers leave.
Submitted by teacher on May 12, 2010

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