Mayer Elementary School

2250 North Clifton Avenue

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 May 29, 2024

My child is excited to go to school and learn everyday. the teachers are responsive. there is a great sense of community with involved parents.
Submitted by other on April 09, 2024

Oscar Mayer has grown and changed so much since most of these reviews were written. First of all, they do not have Pre-K 3 year olds anymore. The preschool 4-year olds and kindergarten students are in a class together with a head teacher and co-teacher. 1-3 grades are together with a head teacher and co-teacher, as is the Montessori model. Since COVID, they shifted the 4th and 5th grades to be separate. This school is the best CPS school I have seen first hand, and I have been working as a CPS SLP for 16 years and have been to a lot of schools. Some schools might be more high performing, but their kids are stressed, anxious, and don't love school. My kids LOVE school. As in, they cried during the summer when we passed by the school because they missed their teachers.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2021

Oscar Mayer is a good school. The parent community is very committed to providing resources to the teachers and students, and have historically raised close to $400K per year which ensures there are assistant teachers in all the preK through 3rd grade classrooms, and STEM related equipment. The Montessori curriculum with mixed age classrooms worked well pre-COVID. Despite a harrowing year, my kid's teachers worked hard to ensure they got as good an education as they could deliver during remote learning. I'm glad that they are returning to school in person. My son has been going to school there since kindergarten (he's now entering 3rd grade) and my daughter started there in the preschool program and will now be a kindergartener. I took off a star because the Chicago Public School district and the teacher's union negotiations have been aggravating. For my own sanity, I have stopped following the teacher's union in the news. The actually Mayer school, teachers and staff are top notch. Principal Drayton is hard working, trust-worthy, and does make the children's education a priority.
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2016

This school has been such a blessing to my family. I moved to Chicago for a job and quite quickly had to choose a school for my daughter and a neighborhood for my family. We knew that we wanted a Montessori program but were open to any elementary school that provided a high standard of education. Oscar Mayer has been a dream of a school not only for my daughter but for our entire family.Let me just start by saying that their is so much love within those walls. The commitment of the teachers and faculty is amazing. They have made improvements year over year proving that they take the trust that we bestow on them seriously. My daughter has grown year over year and is excelling in her class and with the material they provide. She loves going to school not only for the amazing friendships she has fostered but the loving and caring environment it provides. I also can't leave this review without mentioning the amazing community of parents that exist at Oscar Mayer. From the paint volunteers to the amazing fundraisers. Last year they raised over a half a million dollars for the school and students. That makes a tremendous difference in the quality education of our students. In a time where budgets continue to shrink the parents of Oscar Mayer continue to give. I just can't say enough about how this school has changed our lives. We have met friends here, our daughter is happy and learning and they continue to empress us year over year. This should be a 10 school not an 8. Thank you Oscar Mayer for helping feel at home in Chicago and giving our daughter and soon to be son an amazing place to learn and thrive.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2015

My son was on the wait list and after not hearing back from the school this past fall we figured that he probably didn't get in. Late Jan/early Feb we received a call that there was room and that he would be able to start in about two weeks if we still wanted to accept the offer. Mayer was our first choice so we decided to go for it. He has only been at the school for a little over a month now and I couldn't be more pleased. He LOVES this school and begs that he go to school even on weekends ! Mayer is not for everyone, it really all depends on your child and how they learn. Mayer is geared towards a more independent/hands on approach. It allows the child to get creative and find different solutions to questions other than the standard ABC approach. This school is also VERY organized when it comes to drop off/pick up of your child. There are many parents involved in may aspects of the school. Though the school asks for donations, they are strictly OPTIONAL , no one will treat you or your child different if you decide not to donate. The only reason I am giving this school a 4 is because my child has only been here for a little over a month.
Submitted by parent on October 15, 2014

Oscar Mayer where do I start. This is my daughters 1st year at Oscar Mayer. She has gone from great student to below average.Honestly the program is not fit for her not only because she is used to a more ordered approach. But my daughter came to me today and said that she needs more help at school. She also said that the teacher pulls names out of a hat to see who she is going to help next...sounds like a funky way of helping students learn. I see that most of the teachers are young with masters degrees but honestly don't know the first thing about children. Yes there can also be some prejudice when it comes to minorities also. It seems that emphasis is more in the arts than the basics such as math and reading. I am utterly shocked and would think this upper class community would furnish a more quality education. Not to mention the constant begging for money for the school...yeah maybe if it was worth it I would. Than God for options and may God Bless your decision when finding a school for your child. Hopefully by next week my child will be transferred.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2014

I have two kids at Mayer Elementary. This is a great school, with great teachers, and an incredible community. I wouldn't send my kids anywhere else.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2014

We transferred our 1st grader from a private school to Oscar Mayer this school year and could not be happier with the results! The Montessori approach has been a perfect fit for our son, who is a more hands-on learner. The teachers are dedicated, supportive and responsive. Ironically his class size (26) is the same as it would have been in his private school, plus every EL1 class (1st - 3rd grades) has an assistant, so his student/teacher ratio is low (13:1). The parents seem very involved and welcoming! We also love the sense of community that revolves around the school. There are a lot of opportunties to get involved and Friends of Mayer is very committed towards fundraising to keep OM one of the most sought-after schools in CPS.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2013

We have just transferred our child from another excellent LP elementary school, purely because of moving into the Mayer boundaries. We also have a child in the Early Childhood program. So far, we are really very happy with the school. The teachers are friendly, dedicated and responsive, the parent body very committed to creating a topnotch school, and the initiatives to develop the children into leaders and caring individuals, truly impressive. Yes, it has taken a while to adjust to the Montessori way (totally new to us), and possibly more difficult for some children to adjust to smaller groups of same-grade kids in their class (mine is an example), but I believe the benefits of what they learn outweighs this. The current Greatschools ratings and descriptions are not reflective of the reality in the school. I predict a big change in the test scores and ratings this year.
Submitted by other on May 05, 2013

Well, Oscar Mayer is OK. I am a student who is in 7th grade. Many of us upper grade kids feel that the whole school revolves around Montessori. We feel as if we get less attention for our needs, such as we need to change our schedule many times for the little kids nap time. Every year we need to donate money. There are no upgrades for the older kids. All the upgrades go to Montessori. There are like 15 Montessori classrooms but 3 7th and 8th classrooms. There are split grades. That sucks. The only thing that doesn't make it a terrible school are the out of state trips.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2012

We just moved from the suburbs to the city and Oscar Mayer is our "neighborhood public school". We LOVE it! My kids have adjusted really well. Their teachers are wonderful and the parent involvement is overwhelmingly cool! :)
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2012

This is our fifth year at Mayer and we now have three children at the school. In short, our children are thriving in this engaging and well thought out learning environment.
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2012

This is our first year here and we are continually disappointed with how the school is run. Yes, many parents are happy, but that seems to be because they have children that "fit the mold" & have acclimated to the classroom without problem. I have a higher needs child & instead of giving mindful focus to her good qualities in order to bring them out, focus is on behaviors that are undesirable for school (yet still completely age appropriate) and are dealt with negative reactions that include threats and punitive punishment. We wanted our child to attend Montessori so her spirit could be nurtured, but instead, our 3 year old has faced a variety of non-nurturing emotions ranging from disappointment, abandonment, discomfort and isolation. Since starting school, our once happy child now calls herself "bad" & has exhibited a series of behaviors related to stress including nail biting and bed wetting. Other behaviors that we would only see occasionally, like hitting and nonsense talk, have increased. Majority of faculty is very young and inexperienced. Instead of looking for the root/cause of a behavior to help children having a problem, they seem to view the child as a problem.
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2011

I am a parent of 2 kids at Oscar Mayer in the 3-6 year classroom. So far, it's been terrific. I understand the Montessori system very well. OM does a good job with it. Some issues I'd like to address: Class room size: The class rooms are a bit small, and yes, the kids sometimes do their work in the hallway - this is NOT a big deal, as I know of another private school Montessori that does the same thing. Class size - This is tricky. remember, in the 1st class room, the 3-6 class, there's going to be a need for a solid child-to-teacher ratio, however due to CPS regulations, it is sometimes difficult. OM does a solid job, using assistants, and sometimes special needs assistants to help out. It is a tough situation, but OM is doing the best they can given their resources. Diversity: This makes me laugh. I'm not white. Here's the deal, if you want the school to be successful, you NEED the neighborhood to fill all its spots. Have you seen the LP Neighborhood that OM is in? It's 90% white, but here's the deal, the parents are educated, middle to upper class, and work pretty hard. That's really what you want, I think. Ok, I think the school is great. I hope it continues!
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2011

My daughter attends Mayer's Montessori Program. Truely an amazing school:) We could not be happier!
Submitted by other on August 26, 2011

I'm an 8 year old currently attending the third grade.So far each and every teacher I've had has been excellent especially my current one Ms.Sankey who I'm starting my third year with. The parents and principal have been great!
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2011

We transferred our 1st grader to O.M last year from private school (a recurring theme of parents at this school) after becoming increasingly impressed with the administration, resources and parent group over the past several years. We have been thrilled. The education is fantastic, the teachers are dedicated and the administration is forward thinking. O.M. is well on its way to becoming one of the best schools in the city. The negative reviews of the school both on this site and in general generally relate to a lack of spots for students outside of the district. While this is true, it is simply a byproduct of those in the community now embracing the wonderful opportunity that O.M. presents.
Submitted by other on August 25, 2011

my child attended preschool at OM in 08 the class she was in also had children with special needs in class i ended uo taking my child out of the school because the child that was austic violated my child while she was using the bathroom the teacher scared my child so bad to keep this secret told her that she would get fired if she told me the truth the principle scared her they called themselves trying to scare my child quite and took her outta the waiting room where i had been picking her up from everyday and put her on a school bus it was only after i ran around this school like a crazy lady looking for my child that she was found and brought back to me also i had a meeting with parent whom hadnt been informed of what her child had done until minutes before the meeting and all she could say was that he touchs and pokes to get what he wants Totally unexceptable i contacted the regional office the board of ed police and dcfs i needed answers asap as to how this was allowed to happen to my child and why when i first addressed it to the teachers they told me it didnt happen school started in sept my child was out of there by oct this i definetly dont recommend this school to snyonr
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2011

School is overrated and overcrowded. This place is run less like a school and more like a factory. Teachers have too many kids to pay adequate attention to them and classes are overstuffed, so children are doing their work in the hallways. In the 3,4, and K class, too many 3-year-olds mean teachers spend much of their time getting the youngest ones dressed and out the door. Older kids get less teacher time. Parents are type-A and cliquish. In the younger grades, the classrooms get less and less diverse as minorities are pushed out by the children of middle class professionals living in the Lincoln Park area. Classes go from mostly African American in 6-8th to mostly Caucasian as the kids get younger -- the dividing line being the year the school began to develop a reputation.
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2010

the school is improving at a fast pace , it will be a top school in chicago in the next few years.highly recommended !!!