St Andrew School

1710 West Addison Street

Chicago, IL 60613

32 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 20, 2025

St. Andrew School is a fantastic environment for our son -- with caring teachers, administration, staff, and everyone in between. Highly recommend.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2025

I’m so happy to share my experience with Saint Andrew School in Chicago, where we’ve been part of the community for the past six years. Every year we are at the school, we love being apart of this community more and more. As someone who tours schools regularly for clients, I can confidently say this one stands out for all the right reasons.The community at Saint Andrew is warm and welcoming, with a genuine sense of connection between families, parents, teachers, and students. One of the things I love most is how they mix older and younger students. Eighth graders take on leadership roles by helping with Kiss and Go or assisting in younger classrooms, and all students are paired with Mass and reading buddies. This creates meaningful bonds and encourages responsibility across grade levels. The kids LOVE their mass buddies. Its very sweet. Academically, we’ve been incredibly pleased with the attention our children receive. The small class sizes and nurturing environment allow for personalized care, and the balance of academic rigor and emotional support has helped our kids thrive. I’ve noticed that the curriculum being taught at Saint Andrew is ahead of many of the other schools I’ve toured. Additionally, the school offers gym, recess, art, music, STEM and Spanish year-round, which is a big plus compared to many local public schools that offer these subjects only quarterly.Finally, the families at Saint Andrew have become our “city family”. Not every family is Catholic, but we share many of the same values and genuinely care for each other. We share the load in coaching each other’s little league teams, leading scouts, etc, etc. Saint Andrew has exceeded our expectations over the years, and we’re so grateful to be part of this amazing school. If you’re looking for a school that offers excellent education and a strong sense of community, Saint Andrew is the place to be!
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2025

We love St Andrew -- small class sizes, great academics, lots of extracurricular options. Most of all, we love the welcoming, down to earth community. There are lots of fun events and families really get to know each other across grade levels. I feel like my kids are truly known and cared for, by the teachers, administration, and fellow parents. I regularly hear middle school students greet younger kids by name. Graduates are well prepared for high school and have a strong sense of community and service. I looked at a lot of schools, and there are so many good options in this area of Chicago. Ultimately, we chose St Andrew because it checks all the academic boxes and it's a wonderfully warm, supportive group of people.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2024

We moved our children from CPS to Saint Andrew during covid and have never regretted the move. My daughter was in Kindergarden at CPS and was completely behind when she arrived at Saint Andrew. By the end of her 1sr grade year she was completely caught up and thriving. Her teachers were so helpful and even offered "teacher time" which is 30 minutes one-on-one either before or after school to address any specific issues. It's extremely helpful and both of my children have benefited from the extra support. The family engagement is also very impressive. The SA parents are very involved and help in all aspects of the school, from lunch duty to planning special events like Daddy-Daughter dances for the students. There is an excellent culture at SA.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2024

As a transfer family from Chicago Public Schools, we could not be happier with our decision. Saint Andrew principal, Sarah Cassavecchia, and team welcomed us with open arms. My son is challenged by the rigorous academic curriculum while receiving the kind of one on one attention that simply does not exist in the large CPS classrooms. The parent community is loving, kind, and down to earth. See for yourself and sign up for a school tour!
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2024

Catholic education is not what it used to be! Don't be fooled into a false sense of security by going private. There was a complete lack of discipline, respect, and basic decorum in the classrooms. If you live in a good CPS district, it's a far better option academically and socially.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2024

We have had the most wonderful experience at Saint Andrew school. We have 2 children at school - currently in 6th and 3rd and have been beyond pleased with the community, the teachers, their education & extracurricular activities. The teachers & administrators are SO quick to respond to any questions or concerns - I almost feel guilty when they email back so quickly. It’s truly something that sets St Andrew apart from the rest! It’s been a wonderful experience and we would recommend it to all.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2023

Saint Andrew has been a great fit for our family - a neighborhood school feel in the middle of the city. We started in Pre-K 3 and are now almost done with 7th grade. All of my kids have different strengths and challenges, and Saint Andrew has worked with us on both. It’s a great community!
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2023

Our family has been lucky to be a part of the Saint Andrew community for 7 years and we couldn't be happier. Our three children absolutely love the supportive environment and our relationship with leadership and their teachers is amazing. Saint Andrew is probably the driving force behind our family choosing to remain in Chicago proper as we raise our children because the educational and social experience there is exceptional. We are so thankful we found this community!
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2023

I would highly recommend Saint Andrew School to any parent looking for a caring environment and a school that creatively teaches children core curriculum as well as core values. The new principal and vice principal are wonderful (both are not new to Saint Andrew). The assistance navigating the high school admissions process in Chicago (both public and private) is individualized and extremely helpful. And the parent community is very supportive.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2021

My kindergartner has been at SAS for 3 years already, since she participates in the early childhood education programming. I am so impressed with the balance of interactive play and structured learning. Every teacher we have has been attentive, communicative, and genuinely caring. My kids is also learning how to be a kind and thoughtful human being. I don't think we could ask for more. I have also been able to make friends with other parents, even during Covid, safely in our classroom pod. I like the community focus, and being able to promote and think about others in the community in need, in the neighborhood and beyond.
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2018

My oldest child started school at Saint Andrew at age 3. She is now in high school and I credit her success there to the educational and spiritual foundation she received at Saint Andrew. My two younger children, who are still at Saint Andrew, are thriving. Our entire family has made lifelong friends while a part of this school community. Our principal is fond of saying, "Saint Andrew is not just a school, it is a way of life". This idea is so evident in the way the community bands together to watch out for each other - children and parents alike. Our family has faced several personal challenges over the years and has consistently received an outpouring of love and support from faculty and families across the board.While academics and leadership are vital issues to consider when choosing a school for your child, the feelings of community and support cannot be discounted. Saint Andrew School has all of these traits in spades!
Submitted by parent on March 21, 2018

This is our first year at Saint Andrew School, our daughter is in Kindergarten, and we can't say enough good things about Saint Andrew School and the Saint Andrew community of people!! I am a public high school teacher in Chicago at one of the CPS Selective Enrollment Schools and have had the opportunity to teach a lot of kids who went through Saint Andrew School for elementary, all of these students have been very well prepared for high school which is why we decided to even look into sending our daughter to Saint Andrew. Academically speaking, the small class sizes, the individualized instruction, the rigor of the curriculum, and the extra academic programs such as Computers, Spanish, Music, Art, and P.E. have all be very impressive to us. I am so grateful that Saint Andrew School offers Spanish language instruction for all kids as early as Kindergarten; this is not the case in many of the other area schools. Additionally, the extra-curricular offerings are vast from drama to Irish dance to Mad Science and the extended care availability is very conducive to the schedule of working parents, you can drop your children as early as 7am and pick them up as late as 6pm for a very modest hourly rate. The students even get homework help in the extended day care, which is also a nice perk for working parents. Socially speaking, the Saint Andrew community hosts many events throughout the year, from ice cream socials to fish fries to Biddy Basketball leagues; we have been able to meet other families with ease which has made our transition to a new school flawless. Finally, I would also like to point out that, being Methodist and having attended public schools as children, my husband and I were initially a little unsure about sending our child to a school that has a Catholic centered education, but this too has been a very welcomed surprise. A Christian education is a Christian education, our daughter has been learning a lot of great Christian foundations of good character, and we have had absolutely no problems not being practicing Catholics. Your child is not just a number at Saint Andrew, but rather a young mind with a ton of potential who is cared about academically and personally by all facets of the faculty and staff. This is has been a great year; our daughter loves to go to school!
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2018

Saint Andrew School is a wonderfully friendly and caring environment for the kids, families and teachers. We have been impressed with the academic challenges offered by the teachers and the personal attention given to the students. We love that the maximum class size is 24!The school holds up to this goal of being a small, unique school with great spirit and heart. Our kids are in Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten and they have loved going to school every day since they started 2 & 3 years ago. It is so heart warming to see your kids learning and growing because of their environment. In addition to the standard academic lessons of math/English/science, it is fantastic to know the kids are also learning computers, Spanish, music, art and gym on a weekly basis starting in Kindergarten. We also chose Saint Andrew for it's great extra-curricular offerings; chess club, basketball, Irish Dance, drama etc. By supporting all these classes and extra options Saint Andrew School focuses on developing well-rounded, moral, caring and intellectual students. Looking forward to the future, we are impressed by Saint Andrew's track record of high school acceptance. They have a very focused and personal approach to help each child succeed. The graduates go on to renowned Catholic high schools as well as the selective enrollment Chicago Public Schools. We look forward to many more years watching our kids grow and thrive in this great community.
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2018

I have 3 kids ages 10, 8 and 6. All 3 have been at the school since transitions which is preschool for 2.5 year olds. Transitions was a great start to education for all 3 of my kids. It’s a drop off program and works on getting them ready for school. I loved that when my kids went to preschool they understood the roll of teachers, knew how to make smooth transitions and worked on social skills with their peers. Now that my kids are in 4th, 2nd and K, I’m continually impressed with the academics and how much my kids have learned. The teachers are very creative and my kids do really fun interdisciplinary lessons that make them love going to school. We came to St. Andrew for the academics but have loved getting involved with the community. We’ve all made lifelong friendships.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2018

I have worked as a consultant with this school for the last 10 years. I recently became a parent of a kindergartener. Their compassion for teaching as well as raising kind children goes beyond what I have seen in the 100 schools in my career. St. Andrews have the ultimate 4 C's for a child compassion, curriculum, class size and collaboration. I highly recommend!
Submitted by parent on February 21, 2018

Saint Andrew school has been wonderful for our three children. Class sizes are kept small so students receive individual attention. We also appreciate that classes start at age 2 1/2 and go through 8th grade. All of our children started at Saint Andrew in a drop-off program at age 2 1/2 called Transitions. This really prepared them for preschool and helped plant the seed for a love for school and learning!
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2018

Saint Andrew School is absolutely wonderful! Our children are currently in Junior Kindergarten and Transitions. Both of our children love going to school each day! The teachers are warm and welcoming! The class sizes are small and the student:teacher ratio is hard to beat. Our Junior Kindergartner also loves that she gets to participate in weekly Music and Physical Education classes. She also enjoys the extra "Books and Cooks" and "JK Crafters" classes after her normal school hours. We have seen so much growth in both of our children throughout their experiences with the Early Childhood Education program at Saint Andrew. We can't imagine our children having a better experience with school!
Submitted by other on November 17, 2016

Saint Andrew has been warm and welcoming to my family. The teachers are fantastic and go the extra mile for my children. I recommend this great school to everyone!
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2016

If you value the leadership in a school, then Saint Andrew school is not the place for you. The principal is not at all what a principal should be or stand for. We've never been treated so coldly, rudely, inconsiderately, & especially, so unwelcome ever before. A principal & his/her leadership is the backbone & speaks volumes of a school. They should be approachable & give parents their time, respect & appreciation. If this school is at all successful, it comes from the hard work of the underappreciated & undervalued parents & some teachers. The communication I've had with the principal was downright appalling! It left such a bad taste in my mouth, that I feel I need to put this out there. As a mere example, if anyone were to read the email exchanges I have between the principal & myself, anyone would plainly see that his responses were uncalled for & undeserving. These harsh replies were in response to emails from me that simply asked some very basic & innocent questions, & that is why they were so surprising & insulting. It seemed that I was a bother; a burden, even. No parent deserves to be treated this way. Any other communication between the principal & myself only reiterated everything I've stated & the initial reaction of my first impression of him from the start. We chose not to stay with the school & are so relieved & grateful with our decision, especially since our current school is everything that Saint Andrew school is not. What a difference a principal makes...