Alexander Graham Bell Elementary School

Bell is a solid school for academics, but the health environment feels a bit like any other huge CPS building—it's middle of the road. On one hand, the school talks a lot about being a 'Regional Gifted Center' and prioritizing wellness, but the reality of being in an old North Center building means ventilation isn't always the best. When my youngest was in the younger grades, it felt like every bug that went around hit the whole class instantly. Communication from the admin on illness outbreaks is fine, but not exactly proactive; you usually hear it from other parents in the group chat before you get an official 'sick kid' notice. It’s not a horror show by any means, and the nurse is actually pretty helpful when you can get a hold of her, but it’s just very 'average' for a big city public school. Cleanliness is okay, but with so many kids in the building, the staff is clearly stretched thin trying to keep up.

My kid has been at Bell for two years now and honestly, I'm pretty happy with how they handle the germ factor. The classrooms always look clean when I'm in there for volunteering, and the nurse is super responsive if someone takes a spill on the playground. They’re pretty strict about the 24-hour fever-free rule, which can be a headache for working parents but it definitely keeps the whole class from getting taken out by the flu every winter. My only gripe is that communication about local outbreaks could be a little faster, but overall it feels like a really safe, healthy spot for the kids.