ElementaryChicago, ILHealth profile

Sidney Sawyer Elementary School

Sidney Sawyer Elementary School is a Chicago Public School in Gage Park focused on student safety, wellbeing, and engagement through diverse academic and arts programming.

A place to learn, thrive, and stay well.

Sidney Sawyer Elementary School is a public Chicago Public School (CPS) located at 5248 S Sawyer Ave in the Gage Park area of Chicago, Illinois. As an elementary institution, it serves the local community by providing foundational education within the CPS district. The school is currently led by Principal Nelly Robles. Safety and student wellbeing are prioritized at Sawyer Elementary, with school leadership explicitly emphasizing a commitment to maintaining a secure environment for all learners. The school also receives support through programs such as the Elementary and Secondary School Relief fund and initiatives focused on student engagement and arts education. This focus on holistic development and administrative transparency regarding student protection makes it a notable option for families in the Chicago area.

  • Common Cold
    4/1/2026
    CoughRunny NoseMild Fever
    Severity: moderate

Health reviews

2.5
2 reviews
  • Honestly, I’m pretty frustrated with the situation at Sawyer. My kids have been home sick way more than usual this year, and I'm starting to think it’s the building. Recently, there’s been paperwork about emergency transfers for 'chiller parts' and cooling repairs, and you can definitely feel it—the air quality in some of those classrooms is rough and either way too hot or stuffy. It feels like we’re always playing catch-up with maintenance rather than focusing on a healthy environment. Plus, the chronic absenteeism here is a huge red flag; it feels like half the class is out every other week, and there’s not much being done to stop the spread of whatever bug is going around. I wish the administration would prioritize the actual facility and wellness culture instead of just sticking to the status quo.

    4/20/2026

  • Honestly, Sawyer is okay but it's such a huge school that sometimes the individual health needs of the kids get a bit lost in the shuffle. They talk a lot about high attendance in their plan summaries, which is great, but it feels like there is a lot of pressure to send kids in even when they have a bit of a cough. The building is older and you can tell; while they try to keep it clean, the ventilation isn't the best during peak flu season. It's a standard CPS experience—the staff tries their best and they finally put up that new fence for safety, but with so many students, don't expect a lot of personalized wellness attention if your kid has specific health issues.

    3/31/2026

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Where it sits in the neighborhood

StrepFluRSVColdHFMD / RashStomach

No food inspection records on file for this school.

No environmental records on file for this school's area.

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