Pilgrim Lutheran School

4300 North Winchester Avenue

Chicago, IL 60613

36 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 19, 2025

Pilgrim is a small school in a great neighborhood. It's affordable, especially for a private school, and you get so much more than you would expect from a school of this size. Classes are small, usually 15 kids or less and the teachers are amazing. Many of the staff have been long-term teachers and the middle school teachers are particularly wonderful, during what can be a challenging time for kids (and parents!). Spanish is started in Pre-K and continues through 8th grade, there is drama, music and band, multiple sports teams, after school clubs and so much more! Pre-K and Kindergarten are play-based and upon graduation, the students are very prepared for their transition to high school. The curriculum is challenging but the teachers can offer individualized support and help as needed. If you are looking for somewhere that your child can truly be themselves and thrive in a learning environment, I highly recommend Pilgrim. We have loved our experience and have had many friends transfer in over the years, at all ages, and rave about how truly special Pilgrim is.
Submitted by parent on October 15, 2024

My children have really thrived at Pilgrim after a not great experience at a CPS school. My oldest graduated from Pilgrim and went on to a great High School. He says that he feels that was well prepared by Pilgrim for a competitive high school program. The 8th grade teacher, Mrs Andreen, does an amazing job working with each student to find a high school that will fit their needs and interests. The class sizes are small and kids get a lot of individualized attention. Pilgrim offers a great education for considerably less cost than other private schools.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2024

My children have attended Pilgrim from PK through 2nd grade, currently. They've receive an EXCELLENT education, love their teachers and friends, and are excited to go to school. The reading curriculum is UFLI, based completely on phonics / Orton-Gillingham and math is Everyday Mathematics, developed decades ago at University of Chicago. They get 2 recesses per day at least, gym class, and Spanish instruction. There is a cafe/gym/atorium with stage, library plus individual class libraries, and weekly chapel service during school. My children have taken great field trips to the zoo, farmers market, a local theatrical production, etc.; and performed in drama/musical productions, chapel, and the Christmas Service. All rehearsal was during the school day. Additional art, sport (incl a combo dance-yoga class), and/or science classes are available onsite after school in ~8 week stints for an additional fee. Upper grades have school sports teams and band. If your child wants to take an instrument, the music director offers before and after school lessons onsite.Before/after care is unbelievable. Flexible and affordable. The woman who runs it is such a gem. They have an endless amount of the best toys, games, and activities to choose. My kids frequently beg to stay LONGER.Families may order lunch service through Gourmet Gorilla.We highly recommend the school!
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2023

Pilgrim is a small school with small class sizes. There are many positives to being part of a school this small. Pilgrim offers a great sense of community. The parents, children and some of the teachers and staff make pilgrim a great place. Pilgrim does not have the basic resources that you would find in most schools. Pilgrim does not have a gym, recess past the 4th grade, a library, tech classes etc. Some teachers are difficult to work with and the more you question, the more difficult they will become for you and your child. There is no real leadership for teachers, students or parents to consult, making the toxicity next level. The pastor is not engaged in the religious aspects of the school and has done nothing in the 10 years he had been with pilgrim to grow the church community.
Submitted by parent on July 16, 2022

Pilgrim has been an integral part of our family for many years. We started both our children in the 3 year old preschool and have been thoroughly impressed as they have risen through the grades. Our children have grown as students and people. We are especially please with the teachers specializing in math and ELA in the upper grades and the arts program, which has grown since we have been a part of the school. We are very fortunate to have found this "hidden gem". I am also appreciative that the teachers are direct and honest, especially if your child may need something they cannot receive at the school or need extra support in specific ways outside of school.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2022

Pilgrim Lutheran School is a hidden gem in the city! Our kids have attended since Kindergarten. The community is incredibly caring and supportive. The teachers are amazing -- students graduate Pilgrim and go on to the top high schools in Chicago. If you are looking for a school environment that is small, safe, challenging and supportive to the whole child, please check out Pilgrim!
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2022

Pilgrim is such a welcoming, inclusive community that has excellent academics, social-emotional support, and offers arts education in every grade. We have two children at the school and it has been such a great place for our kids to thrive and receive personalized attention that they were not getting at CPS previously. The teachers really care about each child and I have been so impressed with the level of communication between parent and teacher - I see how much my kids' teachers genuinely care about my kids as individuals. The class sizes are small, they foster students' interests and curiosity with project-based learning, and they have a full time social worker who integrates social-emotional learning with all the grades. When we were considering whether or not to send our kids to Pilgrim, the small size was initially a concern, but after being here for 2 years now, we have been so pleased - all the kids know each other in the various grades, I feel like my kids are in a safe, caring environment where everyone looks out for each other. One of my children identifies as LGBTQ and the teachers/administrators have been proactive, kind, caring advocates for my child all along the way. I highly recommend Pilgrim to anyone looking for a quality education within an inclusive community.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2022

We love the Pilgrim community. Both of our kids started in Preschool and Kindergarten - we have had a great experience. The teachers are caring and know the children really well as the classroom sizes are small. The parents are involved and have become a huge reason why we have decided to stay. You don’t have to be religious to attend - Pilgrim is welcoming of everyone. The school feels like a hidden gem and our family discovered it.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2022

This is an outstanding school that truly cares about your child's wellbeing and personal growth. The teachers not only care about the children, and keep parents informed, they oversee an amazing curriculum. I am always highly impressed with the assignments and the clear goals of the assignments - they are not just busywork worksheets. The school also has an amazing SEL curriculum and a full-time social worker, which is so spectacular given the small size of the school. The school may not have the most modern facility or the biggest campus, but it has highly experienced, qualified, and caring teachers. In other words, Pilgrim does the best at what matters the most - teaching and caring for your children.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2022

This school has been a refuge from the lack of attention that my kids received in their neighborhood CPS school. The teachers are engaged, creative and resourceful and teach to the individual. Pilgrim also recognizes and supports learning differences and makes room for kids to learn in a way that suits their needs. I wish we had made the switch earlier but I am grateful for the gains I have seen in the past year and look forward to seeing my children's continued growth.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2022

Pilgrim School has been such a huge blessing for our family! We have had at least one child attending Pilgrim for at least 10 years now. Pilgrim is a very positive, academically excellent, and nurturing community that sets up students for success! The teachers are fantastically experienced, focused on instruction, and dedicated. They do a great job focusing on each student through their "whole child" approach and we love their emphasis on service learning. Our kids have also grown spiritually and the social emotional components woven into the curriculum have been very beneficial. If you are looking for a school, we highly recommend Pilgrim!
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2019

Pilgrim offers an unparalleled education at a great value. The teachers and staff care very much about the students, their families and building a strong community. The class sizes are small allowing for individual attention of students and amenities/programs seem to have grown the past 4 years we've been involved. Perhaps my most favorite aspect of Pilgrim is the focus paid to teaching the children about having a positive impact in society.
Submitted by other on February 02, 2017

Wonderful school. The best kept secret in elementary school education in the North Center, Ravenswood and Lincoln Square neighborhoods.
Submitted by parent on August 14, 2015

Pilgrim Lutheran School is a wonderful school! We have been at Pilgrim two years and our second child will be starting in the fall. The environment is very caring and they offer a high quality education. The older kids partner with the KG and Pre-K kids and are very kind and thoughtful to the younger ones. The main reason we chose Pilgrim was the high number of students going on to selective enrollment high schools in the city. Pilgrim really prepares its students for the future. Another reason we chose Pilgrim is that it has many extra activities for the kids, particularly a band program which was important to us. (It was frustrating that our neighborhood CPS school didn't offer band) The after-care program is terrific too. The school is very inclusive and nurturing. While it is a parochial school and even though we are not of the faith, Pilgrim is welcoming of everyone.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2015

We have been at Pilgrim since three year old preschool (about 4 years for our oldest child) and I also did my student teaching for my education degree with Mrs. Tighe in the 4/5 classroom. I am constantly amazed buy all the wonderful aspects of this school- the teachers care, classes are small, kids are taught to REALLY consider and help others and they do well academically. I think this is a hidden gem in the city. I sub in the upper grades and every one of those kids is polite, kind, caring, smart and creative. They can be themselves and are just respectful teenagers (is that an anomaly? :) who look out for one another and are really great kids. We couldn't be happier with our choice.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2015

I'm a grateful Pilgrim parent for 8 years & advocate the exceptional academic standards in a safe & loving setting. Pilgrim's a trusted organization, treasured by friendly families in a safe neighborhood. We've lived close to Pilgrim 17 years prior to children & know the positive spirit, cheerful students & service to our area from the teachers as well - it's a joy! Pilgrim was part of the reason we chose to live here. We know Pilgrim offers the highest quality for education & safety for our child. Pilgrim keeps quantitatively high academic standards in a constructive & buoyant learning environment inviting to all faiths. Acknowledged for their talents, the students are secure & know themselves! The experienced teachers have a broad approach, combining academic, emotional and social education . Our kids are conscientious, critical thinkers & problem solvers with a clear outlook. They know service, ethics, tolerance & cultural diversity. Pilgrim's 7th /8th graders are guided through the process to selective secondary schools with success. We believe our graduates are courageous & principled citizens, empowered to flourish in a changing world. Pilgrim is a gem to be shared!
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2015

Pilgrim provides a wonderful education in a nuturing environment. Every teacher knows every child's name and who they are. Pilgrim also provides a welcoming community for parents. We couldn't be happier with our choice for our daughter.
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2015

i am a long time parent and volunteer. Both of my sons attended Pilgrim from the Early Childhood 3 year old program - 8th grade. My older son attends Northside College Prep. H.S.. My younger son will graduate this spring and will be attending Whitney Young H.S. this fall. My sons both thrived at Pilgrim. They enjoyed the small classes. They were encouraged to be individuals. The teachers provide a nurturing environment while holding all the students to strong academic standards. I never worried about them. I knew they were getting the best education in the best environment. Pilgrim has a very special quality that is hard to put into words. I know it helped shape my sons into the caring, intelligent young men they are today. Pilgrim is a place to grow, explore, learn and succeed.
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2015

When I was looking for a school for my sons, Riley and Connor, I was overwhelmed with my choices. I was looking for a school that had a safe and loving climate, but also was academically rigorous for my children. I was lucky to find all of this and more at Pilgrim! My boys LOVE school. They love their principal, teachers and friends. They LOVE learning and this to me is the best testament to Pilgrim Lutheran. As a parent, I couldn't want more for my children. The education they are receiving in the core subject areas is excellent. Pilgrim also has a strong arts program that is missing in many of the schools. The added bonus is that Pilgrim helps reenforce our family values such as helping the less fortunate thourgh service projects and being mindful of others. I feel very fortunate to have found Pilgrim.
Submitted by teacher on March 17, 2015

Pilgrim truly does provide Academic Excellence with a Heart! The play-based approach in Early Childhood years allows students to explore and ask questions that develop higher level thinking skills. By 3rd grade, Pilgrim students have developed the comprehension and problem-solving skills that allow them to score well above average on standardized testing. Every member of the class of 2015 who applied to CPS selective enrollment got in! Pilgrim also allows kids to explore their highest potential in the arts, the sciences, and on the playing field. Pilgrim nurtures the spirit of each child. We enjoy significant religious diversity within our student body, while affirming our identity as a Christ-centered school in the Lutheran tradition. Students learn service through the Pilgrim Kids Care program in partnership with local social service groups and our partner schools. Students study the stories in the Bible and share them through weekly chapel. Pilgrim encourages reflection and discussion that builds students into leaders in the school and in the world.