Distinctive Schools, Chicago | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

I have worked for Distinctive schools for 3 years and with public and charter schools in CPS and Chicago Suburbs for over 15 years. This is the absolute worst run school I have seen, PERIOD! Having 2 school age children of my own, I have been asked but never thought twice about why I have not enrolled my daughters in these Distinctive Schools. These schools have high 28+ student to 1 teacher ratio. My role for three years here, was a paraprofessional for their special education department and an immediate SUB for teachers who would call out sick the morning of their job. I would not put my child in these classrooms or schools that basically teach from a tablet or chrome book (I could do that at home for free education to my kids). The majority of the day for students here, is buried in math apps (ST math), and reading apps (Lexia) while teachers and Dean’s struggle for behavior management.
The behavior management system changes every year. From, detentions, to Saturday detention, to a merit and demerit system. They all fail. Students talk back to staff and swear at them at an alarming rate. It takes more than reading Teach Like A Champion to be successful at these Distinctive schools. There is complete chaos if a substitute has to fill in for a teacher being out for the day. Fights, bullying and no way to control it. When the Distinctive network superiors and other Grants (looking to give schools money) come in to this school to see what they want to support or donate too, students and teachers are notified and given extra bonuses and rewards to stay quiet and in their rooms. “No issues in the hallways.” Which is fake. If only these donors and highers ups knew the reality of this school!!!! They are fooling everyone who has donated to this school. I have seen Teachers leave just several weeks into the year because students were out of control and the behavior management system provided them little help. I have seen SUBS leave in disgust over student behavior and talking back and teachers have no solution to this.
Administration will do whatever it takes to make themselves look good, regardless of a students actual needs to succeed in life. I have seen Students with disabilities get neglected for years here and not a care in the world to improve or make right what they have wronged. It seems they push students out that they have issues with behaviorally. In my 3 years here, I have seen more than half of teachers each year leave or not get asked back. While, the majority go on to schools that are not as chaotic, schools that take pride in teaching and mentoring the youth in Chicago. Some are left at the school years end without a job because you are an at-will employee in this charter school. So, if they don’t like you despite working great with students, your gone. I have seen this school destroy a students emotional development without a care in the world other than administration not looking bad around it. I can only hope, as a parent, and educator that this school turns it around soon. As there are a few teachers here that will do anything for their students, something has to change!!!!!!!

If there was a 0 star option that’s exactly what they will get, I can only speak for the school my child goes to, recently 2 staff have gotten fired because of lack of discipline for the children. These kids will get away with murder these days because staff can’t put these kids in their place, my child has been bullied, punched, kicked, and yet the other kid involved did not get disciplined, or suspended, there was a argument/fight after school last week and the 2 individual girls did not get suspended or any other action was taken, kids need discipline they need to know that the actions they take and do affect others, if you can’t discipline the other children when they misbehave how can the younger children look up to them, the school is showing them that it’s ok to bully, to disrespect staff to lash out yell in the halls, yell out in the classroom without being disciplined. How can we be a village to our children if our children have no respect for us. Also the way our children are being taught is not acceptable, they give them Chromebook’s tell them go to this lesson and do the work, what happened to teaching lessons, discussing important topics and having kids being involved with the teaching. Ever since my child started 3rd grade in this charter school the teaching is terrible, not to mention they don’t get regular grades they get numbers and a description of what lessons they will get. Transferring my child as soon as possible, and the other parents I talk to as well feel the same.