Edmond Burke Elementary School

I honestly can't recommend Burke if you're looking for a clean or healthy environment for your kids. The chronic absenteeism rate is over 50%, which is a huge red flag that something isn't right with the culture or how they handle long-term wellness. The school is housed in a really old building and you can tell—ventilation is poor and there have been recurring issues with the upkeep and general cleanliness of the classrooms. Plus, the student-to-teacher ratio is way too high and they barely have enough support staff to handle basic nurse duties, let alone mental health or counseling. It feels like the kids are just constantly getting sick and there's no real plan to address the root of the problem. It's frustrating because the kids deserve a space that actually feels safe and sanitized.

My little one is in the preschool program at Burke and honestly, the health side of things has been pretty solid for a Chicago public school. They are super strict about keeping kids home if they have even a tiny fever, which can be a pain for working parents, but it definitely keeps the classroom from becoming a total petri dish. I’ve noticed they’re really diligent about handwashing with the younger kids before snack time. The building is older so it's not sparkling, but the classrooms feel clean and I haven't seen any major outbreaks since we started. Communication from the nurse's office is usually quick if there’s a bump on the playground or a bug going around.