Ellen Mitchell Elementary School

Mitchell is okay, but I have mixed feelings about the health vibe lately. On one hand, the attendance is usually pretty high, so the kids are clearly showing up, but that 15.8% chronic absenteeism rate is starting to worry me—it feels like once a kid gets sick here, they’re out for a while. The school is a 'small school' which is nice for personal attention, but the building is older, and I’ve noticed they're constantly needing funds for basic repairs like doors and general facilities upkeep. It makes me wonder about the ventilation and how deep the cleaning really goes during flu season. Communication about when bugs are going around is just average; sometimes you hear from other parents before the school says anything. It's not a disaster, but I wouldn't say they're going above and beyond on the wellness front either.

They host fun stuff like the Family Health & Wellness Fair, where kids and families get free checkups, healthy snacks, and tips on staying active. Folks say the CPS nurse support kicks in when needed, and with no red flags on the Illinois Report Card for student wellbeing, it feels solid for keeping our kids healthy and happy day-to-day.

As a parent at Ellen Mitchell Elementary School in Chicago, I’ve been pleased with how the school supports students’ health and wellness alongside academics. Mitchell follows Chicago Public Schools’ district-wide wellness standards — which include regular physical activity, nutrition education, and efforts to promote overall well-being — and helps keep families informed about health and safety expectations. I also appreciate the positive, nurturing environment at Mitchell and its community-focused partnerships (like with Communities In Schools of Chicago) that help bring extra support and connection to students and families. While there’s always room to grow, the school’s commitment to a whole-child approach — academic, physical, and emotional — makes me feel confident in my child’s daily experience here.