Stem Magnet Academy Elementary

1522 West Fillmore Street

School District

Chicago Public Schools
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
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 January 24, 2023

it was very good it was fun to be there the teachers was nice too
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2022

Best school for kindergarten. Ms.Avvisati and Mrs.Rawlings are wonderful teachers
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2021

Don't believe the hype. If this is the best CPS has to offer, then the district is in a sad state. A parent who took their child out a couple of years ago told me not to go here because "this is where true learning comes to die". I didn't believe her then, but 2 yrs later I see it as a sad reality. If you want your child to grow up to be an especially quiet person who listens to authority and never speaks up for themselves or others, this is the school to enroll your child. The younger grade teachers are strangely COLD. They're very invested in discipline and making your children quiet and fearful. There are surprisingly few moments of deep discovery or collaborative work considering it is a STEM school. My son said his "teachers are alright but don' teach -they mostly talk at us or they "give us worksheets to keep us quiet". Kids don't learn by being talked at, they learn through being able to engage and inquire. When asked if he gets to ask questions, he said "no, not really". When asked why my very curious child doesn't ask questions, he said "it's because we only get rewarded for being quiet and the teachers shout at us a lot." A silenced child's mind becomes discouraged and numb while a child who's mind is forged in inquiry, exploration, and investigation will continue to grow because that child has been learned to make meaningful connections everyday. FYI, there are NO after school programs whatsoever and there is NO early drop off or late pick up. A school without an after school program is NOT invested in equity as the school becomes an impossible option for parents with lesser means, especially single parents with lesser means. While it is true, there are many "high scoring" test takers in this school, it is mostly because they give lots of homework and there are MANY caring parents who are extremely involved in helping their child succeed (some have sacrificed their work lives, quit their jobs so they can pick up their kids at 2:45) and spend weekends coming up with fun ways to teach their kids. Or there are very resourceful parents who find private afterschool programs with amazing tutors - again none are affiliated with STEM Magnet. Also, if you want to feel like you're part of a wonderful school community of parents, this is NOT the school for that. Again there are MANY wonderful parents, but the school sets up roadblocks to make it difficult to meet those wonderful parents, as if they're afraid we'll talk to each other!
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2021

The Stem principal needs to take a step back and look at the toxic environment created when there is poor communication and a lack of transparency. The teachers are great, but they don't stay long enough due to poor leadership. As many people have stated, things start out well in the primary school but by middle school the diversifying needs of the students are not being met. Many parents believe their voices are not heard, and the principal is always on the defense and often unavailable and invisible to the parents. This results in many people and teachers giving up and leaving the school. There is so much potential at this school, parents and teachers are CRAVING a school community that works together in the best interests of all the students. If personal interest and ego could be set aside, this could be one of the best schools the city has to offer.
Submitted by parent on July 02, 2021

The reporting of Algebra 1 Participation is not current / accurate. Algebra 1 is not currently offered.Agree with previous comments concerning grades 6-8 and about the administration's lack of motivation.Agree with previous reviews about high quality academics and great teachers in grades 1-5.The school also recently lost its on-site aftercare and families must send their kids off-site to other aftercare options.
Submitted by parent on July 04, 2018

Besides poor leadership from the top, the school and it’s teachers really help the students advance. The learning experience has been great
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2018

I have been extremely pleased with the quality of my son’s education thus far
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2016

I have watched my daughter progress and succeed at STEM. Excellent curriculum, excellent teachers, excellent students!
Submitted by other on August 18, 2016

6th grade & above is not very productive. Students continuously receive the same teachers & good teachers leave. Most of the staff never listen to the students' problems if they concern grades. Counseling is poor & bullying MOST times goes unnoticed. Education is phenomenal, the area is wonderful, and scores are great but STEM needs tons of work as a community. If a student fails , it's not just always the student's fault. Teachers & students need to work together for the student & the teacher to succeed. The principal needs work but overall means well. The school just needs ALOT more stability. Also, a better arrangement for the auditorium when assemblies occur. Events in the auditorium are very hot & crowded. Stem is a very diverse school & it needs improvement in many areas (stated previously) . With the first class graduating from the school next year, STEM needs improvement in other areas than just education.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2016

Until 5th grade, it was ok, but starting in sixth grade and above there is desorganization, bad teachers, engineering and science without consistency, very high desertion due to a lack of encouragement as they learn online through Khan Academy.
Submitted by other on March 05, 2016

I am at the end of my rope with this school. I've tried to stay positive, but it just keeps sliding further downhill. The principal is a bully to parents, teacher and kids. Teacher turnover is through the roof. Engineering is pretty much nonexistent at this point, and the science teachers range from bad to worse. The excitement that was here at the beginning is officially over. Test scores and the art teacher are great, those are the only positives I can come up with. Parents, if you're looking for a great school for your kid, keep looking!
Submitted by other on March 02, 2016

STEM Magnet Academy is one of the top elementary schools in Chicago. The Principal is outstanding and there are some wonderful new teachers who have replaced some disgruntled teachers who left. STEM's NWEA reading and math growth are both way above average and rank in the 83rd and 86th percentile nationally and this is on top of already outstanding scores on all standardized tests. There is a small group of disruptive, disgruntled parents who cause problems but they're in a definite, small minority of chronic complainers.
Submitted by other on February 29, 2016

There was once amazing teachers at the school. Unfortunately, many have resigned and gone to more cohesive environments where they are no bullied by a principal. My child had been there since the third grade, he is now in 7th. In the last two years I have seen this school spiraling down.
Submitted by student on November 11, 2015

We started at STEM this year and are very impressed with the curriculum. The school is organized and well run. Teachers are responsive to concerns and classroom discipline is good. My child's teacher has been here for 7 years and really knows how to look after her large class and be an effective teacher. The kids get exposed to so many things - my child has been on 5 field trips already, and his classes include art, music, science, computer class and engineering. The class is multi-cultural with many nationalities & backgrounds represented. This is a great public school and we feel lucky to have gotten a spot here. The academic performance is up there with the good suburban schools, yet the kids are from a diverse socio-economic background which truly represents Chicago.
Submitted by parent on October 14, 2015

I would have rated it less than average if not for my respect for the few remaining great teachers. This school used to a school that I told everyone about. The teaching staff was great. The community is diverse and for the most part, filled with passionate people who want to see this school be the best it can be. The problem is the administration of this school is ruining everything this this school was and could be. She is divisive, rude, hostile, and ill prepared to be the head of a powerful school. She is a bully to her staff and last year managed to chase away half a dozen great teachers; not to mention all of the families that have left due to her inability to run this school. There used to be strong positive energy around this new and great school. This is missing this year. The best thing that could happen to this school would be if the LSC did their job and made her answer for herself in an open forum along side other candidates for the job. But this will not happen as the LSC is blindly following her and will do what ever she wants them to do so she will get her contract and the school will just get worse. So maybe we should be okay with the fact that she is rarely at her job. Maybe that is just best.I can not longer recommend this school to people that I know with the current leader in place.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2015

STEM is a hidden gem within the public school system. The curriculum is rigorous but as a parent I feel my child is academically, emotionally and socially supported to succeed on a daily basis. My child loves the principal, his teachers and the school staff. He looks forward to school and that wasn't always the case. The principal, teachers and staff are student focused. I appreciate the principal's leadership and her ability to open, build and grow a school without loosing focus on the success of all students. I do have space concerns as the school grows as well as the principal getting the needed administrative support (assistant principal). I understand the administrative demands and it is difficult to maintain the needs of the school and the district without additional administrative support. Overall, couldn't recommend STEM enough to anyone that asks. It was the best choice I could have ever made for my child.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2015

I'm sorry to be leaving this review about STEM. The first year or so were wonderful. Great teachers, fun classes, the kids were excited. But I can longer recommend this school. The principal s poor leadership has the school on a downward spiral. Her manner with parents is completely unprofessional. She is often rude and dismissive. At almost every event, she makes disparaging remarks about parents. She discourages parental involvement. The curriculum is very disorganized. There are no textbooks. The kids take notes in class, but many teachers don't allow them to take notebooks home to study for tests. Test pressure is excessive, very stressful for kids. For the ISAT, students did after school test prep, Saturday test prep, and in school prep. No wonder they re scores are high! Of course, a $20,000 bonus went to the principal for that. Recess is almost nonexistent. The playground is too small for sixty children at once. Most of the time, they sit in the computer lab. Sorry, that's not recess. Kids need a chance to burn off steam. So many good teachers have left, I'm afraid there won't be anyone to do the teaching. I regret moving my child here.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2015

My daughter is in 6th grade and has been at this school since the beginning. WE LOOOOOVE this school, it is more like a family, they say it takes a village, well, you will have all of the support you need here. The parents, teachers and students all work as a team to ensure a wonderful learning environment, TWO thumbs waaaaay up!!!! p.s. I hope the highschool is in the works, I'm sure it will be equally awesome:)
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2014

I feel so blessed to have my daughter attend STEM. She started with the school's first year in kindergarden. We were initially nervous because we were not sure what to expect, she is now in the 2nd grade and I know I made the best decision! She has so much exposure to diverse populations and STEM education. I can see that it is a caring and nurturing environment and she has started to grow and develop in significant ways. Thank you teachers, staff, and administrators at STEM they have taken the time to get to know all there students!
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2014

This school is amazing! Caring teachers, my son is in Fifth grade and he says that he will never leave this school forever! He says that he is lucky to be in this amazing school!