Franklin Elementary Fine Arts Center

To be honest, the health environment at Franklin is kind of a mixed bag. While the arts focus is great for my kid's mental health and stress levels, the actual building upkeep leaves a bit to be desired. Since it's a CPS school, you deal with the typical older building issues—ventilation isn't the best in some of the classrooms, and I've definitely noticed dust buildup that flares up my daughter's allergies. Communication about bugs going around is okay, but it feels like we're always one step behind the latest cold or flu sweep through the grades. It's an average Chicago school experience; it's not terrible, but I wouldn't say they are winning any awards for cleanliness or proactive wellness.

My kids have been at Franklin for a few years now, and I’ve been pretty happy with how they handle health stuff. Since it’s a fine arts school, the kids are always moving around and doing hands-on projects, so you'd think it would be a total germ fest, but the classrooms actually stay surprisingly clean. The nurse is a sweetheart and always calls right away if there's a scraped knee or a fever, though getting a hold of the front office during flu season can be a bit of a gamble. I also appreciate that they’re pretty strict about the 24-hour fever-free rule; it’s annoying when you have to miss work, but it definitely keeps the classroom outbreaks from getting out of hand.