Swift Elementary Specialty School

5900 North Winthrop Avenue

School District

Chicago Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
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 other on August 09, 2024

The worst school there is. Thank God I graduated from this school, but I wish I graduated from a different school, they did nothing for 8th graders, other schools took their students to six flags, New York, Washington, etc. they took us to the zoo. There are some good teachers but majority of the teachers just gossip, I personally overheard P with another teacher badmouthing the principal how she has no idea how to run the school and how she doesn’t know what she’s doing, even though she was not wrong, I just thought that conversation was inappropriate in front of students. Parents out there don’t bring your kids to this school, fights happen daily and almost always by the same bad students that face no consequences.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2023

this school is the worst my child has been in trouble alot. they gave him a social worker even though he did bad things at 1st grade. it was a long time ago, but they took him here. ADULTS OUT THERE DONT PUT UR KID IN THIS SCHOOL
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2022

I do not recommend this school if your child is smart, my two sons are gifted and the teachers do absolutely nothing to give the smarter kids a challenge. And the school is very inappropriate and the teachers do nothing about how inappropriate the students are. If you are looking for a school that will give your smart children a challenge, do NOT put them in this school. This school does not do anything about the constant reports of violence very close to the location. Which puts students that come here in risk! This school is not safe! I repeat, do NOT put your child in this school!
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2018

Last year was our first year and the experience was a good one for my daughter's and i
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2018

I would rate our experience as a 10/10. Principal Cannela is amazing and demonstrates genuine compassion for the students and the community. I see him outside the school every morning ensuring the safe arrival of students, working with the crossing guards and warmly greeting parents with a smile. He takes the time to greet students by their name. The Kindergarten teachers are excellent and in spite of dwindling education budgets, they have worked extremely hard to raise money for their classrooms by writing grants and community fundraisers to furnish classrooms with laptops, smart boards and other supplies. The recognize that one size doesn't fit all and have tailored their teaching techniques to assist students at an individual level. This school has made dramatic improvements in the last few years - both with technology resources, musical programs, infrastructure, etc. We are well pleased with the work the principal and staff are doing on a daily basis.
Submitted by other on March 07, 2017

I have been a student at Swift for 3 years and counting and this school is very diverse in ways but there is very limited celebration of diversity in the school. Swift didn't even have a black history month in February. I find that to be ironic because there was a celebration of every other culture, It made me feel like I didn't belong and that the black culture doesn't matter. I wouldn't recommend this school unless you want your child to only be exposed to certain cultures. The teachers also pile on lots of classwork which ends in doing homework to 11:30pm. No matter how much classwork we do there is still homework. The bathrooms are very out-dated and for some of the bathroom stalls you literally have to ask someone to hold it shut so it won't fly open while your using the bathroom. Over all there is always lots of drama and arguments between people.
Submitted by parent on December 11, 2015

My daughter has been going been going to swift for 2 years now, currently a 5th grader. I feel her teachers she has had amd currently have are wonderful in their uniqueness to make learning fun and interesting. I just wish the school had more afterschool programs and sports. I love the new principal Swift has now. Mr. C is so welcoming and engaging, and this makew me feel good as a parent. I plan on my daughter graduating from here.
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2015

The Swift community is welcoming! They took my son and our family in and helped us all adjust quickly to a new school. Their special education team of Ms. Zarate and Mr.Peterson is amazing. My son is an active participant in their dynamic class and wonderful school! I feel blessed to be a part of swift school!!!
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2015

All three of my children attend Swift. It is one of the most diverse schools in the district - over 60 languages are spoken and families come from all over the world. The quality of instruction and care from the teachers is high. We have a fantastic performing arts program and continuously climbing test scores. Come to Swift and support your neighborhood school!
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2015

Do think thrice before enrolling your child(ren) in this school...it might be worth the effort to go out-of-district.
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2015

My twins are going to this school and I'm so happy that they have great teachers, stuff is very nice and friendly.
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2014

My kid been for 5th year there.The school has good teachers but also not so good too...They exspect the parents to do at home half of their job.Overload the kids with home work almost impossible to be done! My kid stay so late every night to do home work, not get enough rest and the next day need to be on time at school 8am. This will be the last year for my kid at this school.Will try to move to better neighborhood with better school.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2014

Don't put your kid in the kindergarden. Beware I had an option as I stay in this zipcode........Having night mare with the KG teachers. One of the teacher is Veryyyyyyyyyy rude.
Submitted by other on February 24, 2014

I'm a member in the edgewater community and I've volunteered at swift and seen how hard the teachers work with these kids. There are so many languages spoken and kids from literally around the world and yet they are a level 1 school and the vast majority of kids are above average in all state testing. Also, they painted a new mural right by the Thorndale Red Line stop which looks pretty cool.
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2013

The staff and teachers are very professional and courteous. We are happy to have our child at this school.
Submitted by parent on November 24, 2012

Our son was at Swift pre-K for two years. We loved the teachers. Our son made great friends and so did we as parents. He might still be there but we live just outside the district and did not get in to their kindergarten program.