Harte Elementary School

1556 East 56th 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 08, 2024

My kids have been at Harte for the last several years. We've had other options but chose to stay at Harte because our kids have had an overall great experience. The principal at this school is the most helpful and engaged school administrator we have ever come across. Problems will arise with students and staff, like any school, but Mr. Bright is always available to listen and remedy the situation. Between my kids we have experienced every grade between pre-K to 6th, and so far my kids have loved their teachers, made great friends and progressed academically above their grade level. Bret Harte faces the same challenges as all the neighborhoods schools in the area, but it's small size and great leadership make those challenges much more manageable than at their peer institutions.
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2022

This school, like many, has great potential. The problem is all staff need stronger support from the network level. Professional development is lacking as teachers and admin are not implementing effective strategies for instruction, grading, SEL, or creating open and consistent communication with parents. The teaching aids are not equipped to support students in positive ways. The administration are friendly but don’t hold staff accountable.
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2015

This school is definitely going in the right direction. For the most part the administration and faculty are great and generally care about their students. The main drawback is that there isn't a strong parental involvement with the school.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2014

Bret Harte is a new school experience for me. I am anxious to see the progress my child makes in the special Ed pre-k program. Teachers are really nice. Teacher aides could be alil nicer and office staff is simply wonderful.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2014

We are very excited that our daughter will be starting Kindergarten at Harte this fall. I disagree with the poster below who stated that the schools in the area worth exploring are selective enrollment, private, or out of the district. We chose to send our daughter to Harte despite multiple offers to selective enrollment and magnet schools because we love walking to our great neighborhood school. Our daughter attended the wonderful pre-K program at the school for the past two years, and we couldn't have been happier with it. There is a strong administrative team that is responsive to parents' ideas and concerns. As a volunteer, I have worked with teachers at every grade level who are dedicated and knowledgeable. The pre-K and K teachers are both National Board Certified teachers and incredibly gifted and caring. There are some things to work on at Harte, but I don't think a perfect school exists in CPS-or anywhere! They are working to build stronger parental involvement and to gain more support from the community, for example. However, this neighborhood school is a hidden gem in CPS and we are so excited to be a part of it. The amazing new playground doesn't hurt either:)
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2014

Last year was my child's first xperience with CPS. This school came recommeneded by a friend, but I later learned from neighbors that this is not the school to put my daughter in. It's difficult being in an area where you only have a few schools to choose from and those that are worth exploring are selective enrollment, out of the district, or private. So i gave this school a chance and I personally don't feel like the teachers truly care about the students. I don't have a bad child but she struggles in math and I made the school aware of that in the beginning of the school year. Nothing was done to assist in bringing her to speed in math. There were instances where assignements were misplaced, and I was never informed that they were missing. Instead I was told that she is at the age (11) where she needs to help responsible. Are you serious? Held responsible for her own education at age 11, I was at that point done. I then found out at open house 3rd qtr mind you that the school didn't have contact information for me so nearly an entire school year went by before I found out that weekly phone blasts, and e-mails are sent out to the parents. This info was provided at registration!