Gwendolyn Brooks Elementary School

3225 Sangamon Road

School District

Dekalb Community Unit 428
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Dekalb Community Unit School District 428

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 May 03, 2024

I was a student from 2016-2022 in my five years attend Brooks, I have gained a lot of trauma and super sensitive hearing from all the yelling by the teachers. My parents and I couldn’t move because we were struggling. In my third year of attending during COVID I learned that I would be out of DeKalb before sixth grade. I’m grateful that I left, despite the move I still get trauma episodes and everything feels so familiar like before. Please shut down Brooks or hire new teachers. Don’t send you kids here if you want them to have a happy childhood with good education and not growing up to fast like most of us did.
Submitted by parent on March 26, 2021

Overall my view is positive on this school. I have 3 children that have attended this school over the years. All 3 of them were prepared to excel in middle and high school from an academic standpoint. The teachers and staff have been involved in making sure that the students are challenged at each level.The school makes an effort to create a sense of community among the students. There are plenty of opportunities for parents to get involved at the school either during or after school. The staff sets a good character example for the students.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2018

I think all schools have their difficulties. The last few years have been very difficult for students and parents at Brooks. There have been been events I have kept my daughter home , due to concerns of safety. When trust is broken between parent and school, it is very difficult to rebuild BUT not impossible. But both parties need to be open minded, communicate efficiently, and make an effort.
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2018

I enjoyed alot of things and so did my daughter. They always had fun things going on! I also volunteered alot and I must say Brooks has some very bad misbehaved children. I give the teachers props!
Submitted by other on June 02, 2015

This school is fantastic! Although I wish the district would diversify it's staff more! I am the parent of a kindergarten student...and she absolutely loves her teacher. She is by far the best kindergarten teacher in the building. She allows the "kiddos" as she calls them to learn through movement and uses something called WHOLE BRAIN TEACHING. My daughter has grown so much. I only am giving the school 4 stars because recently the principal went on leave and the parents were not given a clear explanation as to why. The students miss her and need her to return soon.
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2014

I am a parent of a kindergartner. I am so disappointed with the school, the teaching staff and with the lack of leadership. My child's curiosity had been squandered by the teacher. The teacher seems to be having an attendance problem because the "children give her headaches." Can you imagine your child telling you that the teacher says that the students don't listen and are loud that they give the teacher headaches? The class sizes are huge. Twenty-eight kindergartners to one teacher. Why not encourage parents to help out and volunteer? I have walked in unannounced and the classroom is in chaos. It is not enough to check one box for diversity, teachers need to have the passion to teach as well. The Principal is great at lip service. Tells you what you want to hear, but gets failing marks for follow through. Walk the talk, you will move mountains. Needless to say, private school here we come. Thankfully we have that option.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2014

My son began his school career here and, thankfully, we were able to place him in a much better atmosphere before he was decimated by bullies and a staff that did not care what happened to him. After numerous encounters with a principal that was more interested in her hairstyles, I had to pull my child and pay for a private school. After I pulled him, his new teachers and I had to work with him in order to get him out of the bad habits Brooks had taught him. It took some effort to get him up to state standards as well. We were finally able to catch him up by the 3rd grade after removing him in the beginning of the 2nd grade from Brooks. As a former teacher, I was very disappointed in the efforts of this school.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2013

This was our first year at Brooks. My son has some quirks that can make a school day very difficult for him. His teacher worked with him every step of the way and made sure he could succeed. The teachers and staff are always friendly and ready to help. We have had a fantastic year there and would reccommend this school to anyone looking for a great school in the DeKalb School District.