Shoesmith Elementary School

1330 East 50th Street

School District

Chicago Public Schools
Grade

K-6
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 February 20, 2022

Don’t recommend at all! Most of teachers are extremely unprofessional!!! I am very disappointed how bullying is handled at Shoesmith. I am transferring my son after this year.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2018

Amazing for 4 years! Welcoming, great leadership, a positive learning environment with passionate teachers. Small classrooms!
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2017

Extremely disappointed with how my son has been handled this year. It's been a very stressful year for my son and I'm glad it's over. I've seen a lot of unprofessional things being from kindergarten teacher lack professionalism and character and she's a bad role model for students.( who I will be reporting to the board of education)... I'm currently looking for him to attend another school because this school has no structure, the principal is really nice however the staff is very rude they treat and talk to the kids like their a nobody. My son came home everyday sad and complaining about his teacher not being fair, and always being mean. Every time I called her on it and tried to discuss the situation with her she would blow me off. She showed favoritism, and she seems to really dislike certain parents too. I am amazed at how this particular teacher seem to be so uncaring and very rude!!!!
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2014

Principal and some of the staff great...I've seen a lot of unprofessional things being from kindergarten teacher and assistant...
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2013

This is my son's first year at Shoesmith and after a bumpy start he seems to be doing well. He was homeschool for kindergarten so it took some adjustment on his part but the school was very open. They allow the parents into the classroom and that was a great help for him. I like his teacher but I think the main area that this school could improve in is communication. Seems like they are more geared toward parents who have free time during the day which my husband and I lack. They are also very last minute with communication on events at the school. The staff is very friendly but a little disorganized which is why I gave the 3 rating. They have lots of activities and a good atmosphere.
Submitted by parent on March 26, 2013

I strongly suggest you look into other schools before deciding to have your children attend Shoesmith. The first year things were OK. The second year, I started to get fed up with the lack of respect and mannerisms of the administration. The way some teachers speak to the children is not something I find to be acceptable. Do not let the extra curricular activities sway you. They only have basketball and cheerleading.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2012

Shoesmith Elementary is a work in progress! A school that once thrived in its neighborhood and was once a choice school for children in the area, is getting back to just that. Despite its past struggles (low test scores, lackadaisical teachers, lack of rigor...etc), much is being done about that currently under new leadership, determined and motivated parents and supportive community members who all share a passion for quality education. This school is going places and the transformation is happening every single day, from the curriculum to the special programs offered, to the classrooms and the resources being brought into the school. When you take the time to get to know and nurture your neighborhood school, it truly makes a difference.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2012

I was initially reluctant to send my child here based on some of the past reviews and it's overall Great School rating. However, after being dissatisfied with other choices, I decided to give my neighborhood school a try. I immediately saw a lot of positives and I can honestly say that I have seen great improvement over the almost two years my child has been there. There is a new principal, and dedicated parent and community groups committed to the school s success. The atmosphere is very welcoming and I have been very happy with my child s second and third grade teachers. Although my daughter is an A student, they both challenged her to push further out of her comfort zone and gave me tools to use at home. I do realize that there is room for improvement but I am very confident that the school is moving in the right direction. This has been the first school where my daughter has been happy and I see positive changes in her academically and socially. I would encourage potential parents to take time to visit Shoesmith and find out all the great things the school has to offer that unfortunately are not reflected in it s current rating.
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2011

This school is the worse. My child attended the school from kindergarten to the fourth grade. The principle seems to be motivated but the rest of the staff is unprofessional and non-caring. The school counselor I had to report to the school board because she was that unskilled. During a parent-teacher meeting; my husband enlighten the 3rd grade teacher that she had several misspelled word posted in the classroom. I knew at that moment my child deserved better. Bullying is also a problem within the school. Most Hyde Park residents do not send their children to schoolsmith and if all possible do not send yours.
Submitted by other on February 27, 2011

I think this school lacks basic structure. The focus was staying on GREEN and not RED. There is indeed a behavioral issue in the school. Some staff is not friendly. My child is now enrolled another school and doing extremely well. I Repeatedly told teachers and administration that his curriculum needed to be adjusted. They insisted that he was fine. He wasn't being challenged. This is the not the school for your child if you care about a quality education. I hope that things turn around for this school for the sake of the children.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2011

This school cares about attendance, not education. Today I received a letter stating that the absences on Feb 4, 2011 would be excused if parents wrote a letter. As a parent, if I made the effort to make sure my child was present, what is the incentive the next time around? My child was present, and should get the credit. If children were absent, fine. But, they should be marked absent. Also,Feb 11, 2011 is a make-up snow day. The letter states that parents that "have plans for their children" should just write a letter stating the child will not be present. And, guess what? It's an excused absence...this is clearly a school that does not put education first. CPS gets funding and raises based on attendance records and testing...they are failing on multiple levels with testing, so I guess they have to fudge records so they make up for it with attendance. Please parents, do not send your children to this school. It has been my biggest regret.The curriculum is horrible. The teachers are of a lower caliber, and I am very unhappy with my child's education.
Submitted by other on September 14, 2010

It's been 25 years since I was enrolled by children in kindergarten and 1st grade at Shoesmith. Last week, I enrolled my granddaughter. What can we do to improve the outcome for our children? An overall score of 3 out of 10 is awful. We can't let this next generation of kids fall behind. How can I help? Are you the school of last resort? Why are Murray and Ray still performing so well? The President and Mrs. Obama vote at your school, yet they wuold never send their daughters there to be educated. Why not? What can I do to help? What is the PTA and LSC doing?
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2010

I really like shoesmith elem; I have one that graduated from shoesmith, one that is in the 4th grade & one that will be starting in august. Keep up the good work showsmith.