Alexander Hamilton Elementary School

Hamilton is okay, but it definitely feels like your typical aging CPS building. Honestly, the illness communication is pretty hit or miss—sometimes we get a heads-up about strep or flu in the classroom, but other times you only find out after your kid wakes up with a fever. They talk a lot about 'restorative practices' and the community vibe in Lakeview is great, but the actual health resources feel stretched thin. The nurse isn't there every day, which is stressful if your kid has allergies or needs regular meds. It's not the worst, but they really need more consistent funding for the physical upkeep of the school and better staffing for student support services.

My kid has been at Hamilton for a few years now and I’ve generally been really happy with how they handle the 'germ season.' The school is always super clean when I walk in, and the teachers are actually really good about making the kids wash their hands throughout the day. I also appreciate that the nurse is quick to call if something is up, though sometimes the communication on what’s 'going around' the classroom could be a little more proactive. It’s a typical CPS building so it can get a bit stuffy in the winter, but overall the wellness culture is solid and they really seem to care about the kids not just burning out.