Midwestern Christian Academy

3465 North Cicero Avenue

Chicago, IL 60641

21 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-8
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 13, 2023

My children love MCA. One is more academic than the other, but they both enjoy their classes and teachers. Ms. Banura is a fantastic teacher! She puts a lot of effort into her lessons. She even uses/makes songs to go with her lessons. My oldest STILL has Psalm 23 memorized as well as all the math facts taught to him that year.My oldest has encouraged ME if I'm not able to do something...yet. I can't say enough about the teachers at MCA. They're great.
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2020

Our experience has been great. The teachers are great. The facilities are being upgraded and expanded and the new leadership is amazing.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2019

Like a lot of other reviews once we took our daughter out and enrolled in a public school we realized how behind she was. She was getting straight A’s at MCA but at her new school she was struggling. There was a huge difference in the things she was learning. She didn’t know anything about writing or grammar and when I asked what they used to teach that in MCA no one knew. We wanted her in a Christian school where there was less bullying and more support and MCA was the opposite of that. No consequences for students that were constantly being disrespectful and mean to other students.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2019

When we first started at this school we were thrilled but the longer we were there and the more we got involved the less we liked about the school. If you want a basic education with small class sizes then fine but if you want your children to be challenged I'd look elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2019

Very disappointed. I encourage parents to volunteer and see first hand what goes on.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2018

I am surprised with the reviews of this principal during this school year. It's now come to my attention the "Business manager" and Principal are no longer there. As Christians our testimony speaks volumes, reminder, God is a God of order. When decisions are made based on the discernment of the Holy Spirit there will be peace. This school has not experienced complete peace. Now, he did not want to become a member of MCA, he is no longer there and what will parents/staff say now. What is in the dark will be exposed. The Holy Spirit does exist...I continue to pray for the staff and the children of the MCA. Again, what God has ordained, he will expense as well, there will never be lack...there will be order!
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2018

My kids and I are thankful for mca and are thankful for all the love, care, and learning all the teachers there help with day in and day out! Would highly recommend to anyone!
Submitted by other on February 02, 2018

I have been with MCA for more than 13 years. I have been a part of 3 administrations...Mr. Lee, Mr. Scifo, and now Mr. Riggs. All of these men are godly men and the Lord used each one of them for the glory of his name. Each one of them had specific gifts that were used and needed at the time of their leadership. It is sad for me to read so many of these unjust reviews of our school because of a change in leadership. Almost all of the new teachers that were hired for this year were approved and hired by Mr. Scifo before he left. The new principal was originally hired to be the new high school principal...not the elementary principal. He offered to fill in as interim principal for the time being. He has been a blessing. I think people really need to slow down in their accusations and seek out truth before making false claims. Each of the staff members at the school deeply love the Lord and the students at the school. Teachers sacrifice financially to teach here because of this love. Yes MCA is going through a lot of changes but maybe pray for the school and the leadership and staff instead of casting the first stone.
Submitted by teacher on January 31, 2018

MCA has a great staff who love the students and have a heart to see them grow closer to the Lord. The principal is a kind, godly man ,and he is willing to do anything to help the students and staff grow- whether that is having impromptu conversations, taking out the trash, or doing recess duty. He greets the teachers and students in the mornings, and escorts the students to their rides during pick up. He often walks through the building to pray for the staff and students. The staff supports one another and works together to help the students learn, and differentiates for their needs. They pray for their students and each other, and work tirelessly to provide their students with the best possible education.
Submitted by teacher on January 26, 2018

The proof is in the numbers (enrollment). Over 250 students last year, now under 200. Enough said.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2018

No accountability and many teachers lacked proper academic certifications. When asked about their background a lot of teachers wouldn't even answer what schools they graduated from. A lot of rookie teachers were hired so just imagine what they were teaching your kids if it was their first or second year in the teaching role.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2018

MCA has gone through a change for the 2017/2018 School year. For many people change is difficult, for some it is much easier to accept. God calls us to trust in him and I certainly trust that the new administration and staff are doing the best they can to keep MCA to it's true focus. Many people have judged the new changes without giving it a chance. To elaborate a little, the new Interim Principal welcomes kids every morning outside, something the old principal never did, he kindly opens doors and greets parents, staff and children. Prayer and Pledge are said every morning with a rotation of all the grades over the Intercom system. Class times have been extended to give the children appropriate classroom time as oppose to wasting time in the hallways. Band fees are no longer 400 dollars plus tuition, if you want your child in band it is only 50-150 dollars, I mean what parent wants to pay an additional 400 during class time for you child to get band when it should be included in your monthly tuition? The school offers choir, art and computers for the children ( after school program for art). They have after school programs for the children to sign up in. They have revamped the financial aid to help parents who truly need the help to get the help. In my overall experience the school has focused a lot on expanding the spiritual growth for the children. Teachers and staff have been doing a great job helping our students reach that growth. Dismissal is wonderful, parents pull up and children are escorted to there cars, with the cold I mean how wonderful is that? With change comes fear, but we should not fear the unknown and give our problems to the lord. I would agree that some of these reviews maybe from some angry parents who may have gotten handouts or didn't get there way and are penalizing children and others through slander.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2018

Many people have spoken as to why there is new leadership this year. Regardless of what happened, people should not go around speaking bad of the school or the ones that are still there. They do not know the whole truth, only God knows. It's very sad to my soul that Christians are following man and not God by pulling their children out of school or wishing bad ill to the school. There are not many Christians schools left, so I would hope that the few that are still around, we would support and pray for them to succeed instead of fail. I personally follow God and will stay there until God tells me other wise. I pray for the ones that left and wish them the best. I will continue to pray for the ones that are still at the school and for the school to continue to grow!
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2017

Too many changes were made this school year just 5 weeks before school began. Fees were increased, even for registered students. This is not right and the school has been losing enrollment big time.
Submitted by student on October 26, 2017

Really unhappy this year. Won't be coming back next year. The school is not the way it used to be. Very sad.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2017

The principal is rude and unapproachable. The parking lot is a wreck after school. Many important programs have been cut this year and parents have no voice, even though we are paying tuition. I will not be sending my children to this school next year, wish I could get back registration fees for this year! So sad to see the entire school change when the school was growing in the past years.
Submitted by other on March 15, 2017

"Some parents didn't get their way" - wow judgmental much? Perfect example of the attitude at MCA.
Submitted by student on August 21, 2016

I came here to read reviews about my old school and was really sad to read a few of them. I went here for 9 years and I can say from first-hand that the people who wrote that probably just didn't get their way. Some kids complain and their parents don't see that their kid is the problem not the teacher. The teachers here are THE BEST! I love that they taught me to be strong, think critically, and be kind. I was in sports and learned a lot about life from Coach Chohan. He pushes us to be the best we can be but shows us God's grace too. Your kids will love M C A...Go Cougars!
Submitted by parent on June 29, 2015

The preschool teacher openly admitted to pushing my son to teach him that it's not nice to push other kids. The kids are learning how to bully from the teachers.
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2015

My children are receiving an excellent education at Midwestern Christian Education. More importantly, they are surrounded by teachers and leadership that genuinely care for them. They have been a blessing to our family. I highly recommend MCA, talk to the principal, he is very accommodating and kind.