Edward K Ellington Elementary School

Honestly, I’m pretty frustrated with the health situation at Ellington. The attendance rates are constantly dragging and kids are out sick all the time, which isn't surprising when you look at how packed the classrooms feel. It’s hard for the staff to keep things sanitized or keep an eye on every kid's wellness when the student-teacher ratio is so high. I’ve heard other parents complaining about chronic absenteeism being a huge issue here, and it feels like the school is just reactive instead of being proactive about the germs spreading. The communication when something is going around is pretty hit or miss, and I just don't feel like the 'wellness' side of things is a priority compared to just getting through the day.

Ellington is okay, but it definitely feels like a typical busy CPS school. They are pretty good about sending home emails when there's a flu or covid bug going around the classroom, which I appreciate so I can keep an eye on symptoms. The building itself is older, so you definitely see some wear and tear, and I wish they’d do a deeper clean of the common areas more often during peak cold season. My son’s teacher is great about making sure they use hand sanitizer, but the 'stay home if you're sick' policy feels a bit hit-or-miss depending on who is at the front desk that day. It’s a solid neighborhood spot, just keep your expectations realistic for an urban public school.