Emiliano Zapata Elementary Academy

Honestly, I’m pretty frustrated with the health situation at Zapata. While the teachers are nice, the building upkeep is a huge concern for me—they just had an emergency repair for the chiller system and the ventilation always feels off. My kid’s classroom is either freezing or stuffy, which can't be good for germs. Also, the chronic absenteeism here is a massive red flag. It feels like there’s always a bug going around because the sick-child policy isn't strictly enforced, and with so many kids out, it's hard for them to keep a healthy routine. I want to love it here, but the physical environment and the attendance issues need a major overhaul.

Honestly, I've been pretty happy with how things are handled at Zapata. My youngest is in pre-K and they are super strict about the 'stay home if you're sick' policy, which can be a pain for working parents but it definitely keeps the flu from spreading through the whole class like wildfire. The school always looks really clean when I walk in, and I appreciate that the office actually calls you quickly if a kid takes a tumble at recess or feels warm. There was a bit of a bug going around last month and the teacher was great about sending home updates so we knew what to look for. Only thing is I wish they had more indoor options for when the Chicago winter hits so the kids aren't just cooped up, but overall it's a solid, healthy spot for my kids.