Sauganash Elementary School

Honestly, Sauganash is one of the better ones in CPS when it comes to keeping things healthy. They were one of the first schools to pilot the better meal programs, so the food isn't just that mystery meat stuff you see elsewhere. The school is generally pretty clean, and they seem to stay on top of maintenance better than most—I even saw they were getting some floor equipment fixed recently so at least they’re trying to keep the dust and allergens down. Communication about when bugs are going around could be a little faster, but overall, it feels like a safe, decent environment for my kid. We haven't had half the issues with gym cleanliness or weird cafeteria smells that my friends at other schools complain about.

My kid has been at Sauganash for a few years now and honestly, the health environment is pretty solid compared to other CPS buildings. I noticed they've been staying on top of maintenance lately—I even saw they had some budget recently for air handling unit filter replacements, which makes me feel a lot better about the indoor air quality and warding off those seasonal respiratory bugs that usually tear through classrooms. They were also part of that healthy meals pilot, so you can tell there's actually some thought put into what the kids are eating beyond just the standard processed stuff. The school is usually really clean and the attendance stays high, which is always a good sign that things aren't just spiraling into a 'sick building' situation. My only real gripe is that it can still feel like a struggle to get updates from the nurse if it isn't an emergency, but overall, it feels like a safe and healthy spot for the kids. Definitely one of the better options in Chicago if you're worried about wellness.