Chicago World Language Academy

1340 West Harrison Street

School District

Chicago Public Schools
Grade

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 May 24, 2024

I was able to see how the school went down from the year of 2015 to now on. We are fortunate to have such a wonderful core teachers and strong parents community to keep the school going. However, there is a luck of administration piece. The only what the previous principal did as to stick to her own carrier goals. She left the school to get her Doctorate, then she was really quick to rename the school to Chicago World Language Academy just to go with the flow. Then she left school at the middle of the year for promotion. As for now, the school has a hard time with principal election and struggle financially to keep language teachers. I really hope on better Administrator which CWLA deserves.
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2024

This school, initially addressing bullying through education, faced disappointment when the attitude shifted to indifference after a change in the first-year homeroom teacher. The feeling was that if educators remain unaware, eradicating bullying becomes nearly impossible.
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2021

Teachers at this school have high expectations for students and make themselves available to support them in all ways. The Principal is always available and responsive to parents in all ways. Communication is consistent through weekly newsletters and ongoing community meetings. Despite a pandemic, this school ensures that learning and academic achievement is a priority.
Submitted by parent on December 31, 2020

This school has a discipline problem where the principal's solution to all issues is blame both sides and not deal with the harm. An example, a younger age child ran screaming down the hallway and violently kicked the teacher. Response, current principal blamed everyone and allowed the student to stay in school of which the violence continued. No consequences for harming another person here. In the meetings, the principal does not listen to the parents and instead shuts them down in regards to topics. She also has her kids there all of the time in the office and studies for her personnel classes instead of her job duties as a principal. How unfortunate that school has huge and unrealistic class sizes, she should be dealing with that instead of her personal activities.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2018

You don't have right to choose language class for my kids, you even don't have no right to skip the language class. It will take 3 times a week for total 8 years. And there is no way to change the decision. Only you could do is leave.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2017

It was good but the staff are very strict. They don't let you go outside without a parent. Like, SERIOUSLY???
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2014

I was the longest standing Jackson Parent( 20 years) until my youngest two Elijah and Ridge were provided academic scholarships and moved to the East Coast.. Principal Ditto has his ears on not only the academic pulse of these students but also the social emotional component . My daughter Taylor Brown was the first CPS honorary school board member who graduated from Jackson and my other children including Glenn has gone on to see and experienced amazing lives since Jackson. We are AA and have experienced slight under estimations because of its diversity however all six of my children have been world changers and it's partly due to Jackson! Grateful that I was a part of that family!
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2014

Our family was new to AJLA this past year & our child loves the school & is thriving. I find the teachers/staff to be welcoming & sincere in their focus on my child's academic & emotional well-being. Disappointingly, I have not felt welcomed by some of the more active parent volunteers. I take offense at the blanket statement that a reviewer made regarding new parents being lazy. If you hope to garner more participation & not alienate the new parents who have been participating, I would be more sensitive with word choice. Being new to the school this past year, I was regularly involved in my child's classroom, volunteered for 2 or more wider school events & donated a good amount of money. Now that we have made it through year 1, I plan to increase my involvement. That being said, when I did participate in school activities, I found some of the existing parents were not welcoming (did not speak or did not communicate timely). Despite some challenges, I will still volunteer in the best interest of my child, the school & for the many parents who have been welcoming. New parents, I know we care & hope you aren't discouraged from participating. AJLA is a great community!
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2014

AJLA is a good school but we are slowly going downhill. Over the past few years, the parents and families coming in are getting more and more lazy. They feel lucky to be at AJLA but don't realize that they need to step up and contribute. The reason it is good is because of the involvement of past parents. When parents aren't involved in their child's education, schools go down. So new parents - do something, get involved, start volunteering, start donating time and money. Stop coming into school twice a year just to pick up report cards. Stop being absent before it's too late.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

Coming from a private school, I was a little wary at what to expect from this school. I must admit that Andrew Jackson has exceeded my expectations. My son is thriving and learning much more that I thought he would in kindergarten! The staff,teachers, volunteers, and parents all help this school be such the success it is! The class sizes are still larger than private school, but kudos to the teachers and staff who keep up the excellence despite the larger classes. I am thankful that my son has the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful learning environment.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2013

Andrew Jackson is a great school and I could not be happier with my child's development. I wish the rest of the world had this kind of diversity, kindness and dedication.
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2012

So, to the real estate broker who said that moving near AJ doesn't help your chances, even if you're 1.5 miles away. I read where there was a different lottery for kids within 1.5 miles - are you saying that's incorrect. I'm just asking because we are just starting to look where to move in Chicago for next school year (2013-14) and just want to get a handle on all of this...thanks.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2012

This school has done wonders for my daughter! I was always on the look out for a great school for my children and that is exactly what I've found in this school. From principal all the way to the lunch staff , they keep these kids well rounded and completely grounded. Its excellent. The parents are great also. I work crazy hours so I'm not able to be as involved as I want but they always make you feel welcomed and included. Best school ever .
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2012

Great School, Great Teachers, Great Leadership. They have their act together. Parents are the best here. I mean its WOW!
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2012

Dear Parent, I am a real estate broker and a mother of two who also lives in the area and would like to inform you that living in the area does not provide you with instant access to AJ because it is not considered a neighborhood school. Therefore, please be careful if promises or statements have been made to you during your home buying search or purchase as to the likelihood of acceptance at AJ will be based on lottery.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2012

Does anybody know what are your chances of getting accepted if you live in the neighborhood (less than 1.5 mi away?). We are buying a house around the school and are looking forward to having our son attend, but I am worried about this lottery system even for neighborhood kids. Any opinions would be appreciated.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2012

Been at ajla for 6 years as a parent. I have to say I am very happy with the teachers and principal. The principal is fair and understands children and is very supportive both to parents and students alike. Communication with teachers is not a problem. My guess parents that don't like the principal because he is fair and runs a tight ship and the parent didn't get snobby way. If there is anything wrong is a few high strung Parents that want their way and when the don't get it the complain.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2012

Fnally a parent speaks the truth about AJLA. I having been waiting for this review. You speak the truth as to what really goes on beyond the black picket fence. Your opinion Feb 1st Parent is much appreciated.
Submitted by other on February 01, 2012

I attended AJLA from 1997 - 2002. The ethnic diversity at the school provided me with the true meaning of a well rounded education. The faculty and staff always went the extra mile for us. Teachers truly cared about our education and ensured that we would be well prepared for high school. Because of AJLA, I excelled at Whitney Young High School and now a proud alumna of UCLA. Educators at AJLA understand that the foundation of a good education starts at a very young age. The importance of taking copious notes in class was first introduced to me in the 7th grade, and to this day (as a law student) I am still going back to the basics of what I learned when I was 13! I couldn't have gone this far without AJLA being there for the primal years of my educational career!
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2011

Teachers, Principal, Parents involvement all outstanding. I have two kids at AJLA. one upper grade, one lower grade could not be more pleased with the whole school staff and the education they are getting. Again just outstanding.