Ames Middle School

My kid has been at Ames for a bit now and honestly, it’s a mixed bag. On one hand, I really appreciate that they brought in the Chicago Women’s Health Center for sex ed—it feels way more thorough and professional than just some generic handout. But on the flip side, the building itself feels a little tired. I’ve seen parents online complaining about needing more general safety staff and better maintenance for cleaner facilities, and some days it definitely feels like they’re struggling to keep up with the deep cleaning. It’s not terrible, but it’s definitely that typical Logan Square public school vibe where the staff tries hard with health programs but the actual infrastructure for a 'wellness' environment is just okay.

Ames is okay when it comes to the health stuff, but it's middle school in the city so it's basically a petri dish lol. The school is generally pretty clean for an older building in Logan Square, and I appreciate that they’re quick to call if my kid hits the nurse's office with a headache or anything. My main gripe is the communication when something like a stomach bug is going around—usually, I find out from other moms in a group chat way before the school sends out an official notice. They are pretty strict about the 'no fever for 24 hours' rule which helps, I just wish they had more of a focus on mental wellness since these years are so rough on the kids.