Frederick Funston Elementary School

I honestly have mixed feelings about Funston. While the small class sizes are great for my kid getting attention, the actual building maintenance is a huge health concern for me. We’ve had recurring issues with the heating system—there was a stretch where one of the boilers was completely down due to a leak, and it gets freezing in those classrooms which isn't good for the kids' respiratory health. It feels like we're always one breakdown away from a major issue. On top of that, the chronic absenteeism at this school is pretty alarming; it feels like illness just circles around because the facility is older and the ventilation isn't the best. It’s hard to focus on 'wellness' when basic infrastructure like heat and air quality feels so hit-or-miss.

Honestly, I’ve been pretty happy with how Funston handles things. My youngest is in second grade there, and the smaller class sizes really seem to help keep the 'classroom crud' from spreading as fast as it did at our old school. The nurse is a sweetheart and actually calls you personally if something happens, rather than just sending a generic automated email. It feels like they actually know my kid. The school building is older, so it’s not always sparkling, but you can tell the staff works hard to keep the common areas clean. My only gripe is that the outdoor play area gets a bit muddy and messy during the Chicago winters, but overall, it's a solid, healthy environment for the kids.