John L Marsh Elementary School

I've been at Marsh for a bit now and honestly, the health side of things is a struggle. While the school is big on 'uniform policies' and security, the actual wellness environment feels neglected. The chronic absenteeism is hitting over 25%, which is a huge red flag because it feels like there's always a bug going around and the school doesn't have a solid handle on it. When my kid gets sick, communication from the office is pretty hit or miss. It’s frustrated to see so much focus on discipline while the student-to-teacher ratios are still pretty high, making it hard for staff to really notice when a kid is struggling or coming down with something. The building is older and the ventilation doesn't feel great, especially in the winter months. Just feels like the health of the students is an afterthought compared to enforcing rules.

My youngest is at Marsh and it's been a decent experience so far, though it's typical for a big CPS school. The cleanliness is okay—you can tell the custodial staff works hard, but the building is older so it's a constant battle. I do wish they were a bit more proactive with communication when a stomach bug or something starts going around a specific grade, because usually I don't find out until my kid comes home with it. The sick-policy is pretty standard (24 hours fever-free), and the nurse has been really helpful when my son needed his inhaler during the day. It’s not a fancy wellness retreat, but it’s a solid neighborhood school that gets the job done.