Evergreen Academy Middle School

Evergreen Academy is a decent enough middle school for the McKinley Park area, but honestly, it feels like they’re always playing catch-up. I like that they are a 'demonstration school' for some things, but the wellness side of things is a bit hit or miss. The school definitely struggles when gems or illnesses go around—I remember the tension during the last big COVID surge where the teachers union had to push for safety measures. It just feels like typical CPS where the staff is trying their best, but the building maintenance isn't always top-tier. I saw some budget notes about broken cleaning equipment not being fixed quickly, which isn't great when you're thinking about seasonal flu and keeping the classrooms sanitized for the kids. It’s an okay environment, but you definitely have to stay on top of them about health updates.

Evergreen has honestly been pretty great with our kid so far since he started 6th grade last fall. The building itself is on the older side, but the custodial staff clearly works hard because it doesn't have that 'stale' school smell, even in the gym area. I really appreciate how the nurse handles things; she's quick to call if there's an issue but doesn't send them home for every little sniffle, which is a lifesaver for working parents. They also seem to take the wellness stuff seriously with the PE curriculum, though I wish there were more afternoon clubs that got them outside and moving since the McKinley Park neighborhood is right there. Overall, it's a solid, clean environment for middle school.