Clara Barton Elementary School

I honestly have some big concerns about the building and how things are handled at Clara Barton. It feels like every other month there's some kind of maintenance issue—lately, there's been talk about the ventilation and heating systems not working right, which is the last thing you want during flu season in Chicago. Also, the attendance rates are pretty low and it feels like the school is struggling to keep up with basic health standards. It makes me really nervous sending my kid to a place where the physical environment feels so neglected. It’s hard for the kids to focus on learning when the 'wellness' part of the school day feels like an afterthought.

Honestly, Clara Barton has been pretty solid for my daughter. They are super strict about the 'no fever for 24 hours' rule which can be a pain when you're a working parent, but it definitely keeps the classroom bugs from spreading as much. They have the hand sanitizer stations everywhere and the nurse is actually really responsive—she called me right away when my little one took a tumble at recess. The building is older, so you'll see some wear and tear, but they keep the common areas and bathrooms surprisingly clean for a neighborhood school. It feels like they really care about the kids' wellness beyond just grades.