St Gabriel Elementary School

4500 South Wallace Street

Chicago, IL 60609

10 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 18, 2018

St. Gabriel is a wonderful, small faith-based school. As my oldest was approaching Kindergarten age I looked into some area CPS elementary schools and what I found was high ranking schools, but overcrowded classrooms, overwhelmed staff and more of a high school atmosphere shuffling kids from class to class, busy hallways and rushed students and teachers. I was a student at St. Gabriel but thought the tuition would be too high to send my children. I was pleasantly surprised when I registered my oldest son that St. Gabriel actually had one of the lowest tuitions for the private schools in it's area (actually with further research one of the lowest in Chicago!). They also offered multi-child discounts to families, financial aid for lower income families and several payment options that will work with your financial needs. Fast forward 8 years and now all 3 of my children are there and they love it. They have smaller classroom sizes, an amazing staff including a principal that is patient and passionate about the school and education in general. Although it is a faith-based school, they do not exclude children of any religion, all 3 of my children have students in their class that are of a different religion or have no religious affiliation. The school offers those student alternative roles when it celebrates religious days or events. We have a family-like atmosphere at St. Gabriel where the students are happy and thrive, we have an excellent sports program (check out our local newspaper Bridgeport News and you will frequently see our volleyball, basketball, etc. in it for winning 1st place in area leagues and tournaments). We have a large ratio of honor roll students 1 out of 3 students makes the B, A or Principal's honor roll! We hope to see more area people check out the school and become part of our Education, Faith and Tradition that has been successful for over 137 years!
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2017

St. Gabriel School is a great place to receive a faith based excellent education. The staff is amazing and they treat their students like family. I highly recommend this school to anyone who wants to give their child an excellent foundation to lead a successful life.
Submitted by other on September 04, 2017

I attended Saint Gabriel School as did many other members of my family. The people who are saying that Saint Gabriel favors only A students and doesn't offer help to students struggling couldn't be more wrong! The teachers genuinely care about each and every student that walks through that door! So much so that I still keep in touch with the teachers that I had there (I graduated 10 years ago). I have family members who currently attend Saint Gabriel School and they have nothing but good things to say. Saint Gabriel School is a family within itself.
Submitted by other on May 04, 2017

Wonderful School, great teachers Great Faith Base School. Would not agree with any negative reviews.Wonderful students, parents ,teachers.
Submitted by other on February 11, 2017

I didn't attend St. Gabriels, but my older Sister and younger Brother did, I went to Alexander Graham down the street. My parents allowed us to choose what Grammar School we wanted to attend. I will also mention that my Mother was a Special Education teacher at Graham School, and it probably figured into the decision I made of going to Graham as well.The people commenting here that think kids who are not from the neighborhood or not "A" students, are somehow treated differently, are WAY off base. Although my Sister was a straight "A" student, my brother was just an average student, B's and C's throughout his 6 years attending St. Gabriel. It was not because the school and by extension the staff, was not attentive and willing to help, he just didn't have it in him to get the same grades as my Sister. And he even had the benefit of my Mother who spen countless hours trying to help him improve upon his grades.Believe it or not, all kids are not "A" students and most just don't have it in them to achieve the "A" student level. As my father told all 3 of us and may times, "The world needs ditch diggers too". Translation, just because you are not achieving the level of the "A" student, it doesn't mean you cannot make a living in this world. You cannot blame the teachers for your child's performance in school, it's an excuse and used all to often to justify your child's grades being lower than your expectations. Ask yourself this; did you do everything you could to help your child at home? Meaning did you spend time with him/her in an effort to pull his/her grades up? Because I saw no mention of that in your critiques of the school. All I read is "the teachers didn't do this", or "the school didn't do that", but not one mention of what was done at home to try and help your child do better. Schools/Teachers give the students the knowledge to succeed, but it's the parents role to not only stress the importance of education, but also assist in the learning process. It's too easy to blame others, it's just an excuse, period.As for my Sister, she's an RN and makes a good living. But my brother, he's a Union Representative and makes more than her. Me, I am Network Engineer and I too make a good living. So it's not the schools fault, it's the efforts of the parents of the children.St. Gabriel is a great school and that's a fact.
Submitted by other on February 09, 2017

I'm responding to the parent who had a problem with St. Gabriel. Not sure what you are talking about in reference to not knowing how your child was doing in school, a progress report comes home every 6 weeks, and then the report card follows about 4-5 weeks later, so either your not looking at the progress report you receive, also an e-mail letting you know progress reports are being sent home is sent out to notify you. Sure every school has their problems, but I can vouch that after having 5 children graduate from there and currently have another in the school I'm pretty satisfied with my experience. Jean Bossard
Submitted by other on February 07, 2017

Unless your child is self learning, has absolutely no trouble learning and is socially perfect do not send your child to this school.They have no communication with a parent if your child is failing no heads up , only one parent teacher conference in a year. Teacher really do not care and this school has changed principals so many times I lost count. Neighborhood school for neighborhood families only only for the brightest and best so if you need any sorts of help do not send your children here the will had your kids F without communicating to you! and not offer any solutions when you ask it kinda like hey its your problem your bothering us. Terrible go to Graham ! they actually care.
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2012

Great teachers, small class sizes and still sending out our young adults to some of Chicago's top Public and Private High Schools!!!! We've had a high Principal turnover rate these last few years; but with such a dedicated community we've held it together and now with our newest leader, Mr. M*****, we will continue our upward momentum! I can't say enough about him, children love him! We are so lucky to have him at our school, we hope he's here a good long time! Can't forget to mention that my children's 3rd Grade teacher is also an alum, is now a teacher and her own children attend St. Gabriel! How great is that!!!!
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2011

neighborhood kids learning together has been proven for years to be the best learning tool.Class sizes large enough but not to large in case a student needs one on one with a teacher.
Submitted by teacher on March 15, 2011

Holy Angels is a wonderful school where Christianity, family values, concern and caring for all students coexist with a great curriculum and outstanding teachers.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2010

Children in my family have gone there for years and it provides a great eduction.