St. John Berchmans School

Honestly, one of the biggest wins for me at SJB is the 'no outdoor shoes' policy in the classrooms. It sounds like such a small thing, but it really helps keep the city grime and germs off the floors where the younger kids are playing. The school feels clean and the staff actually seems to care about wellness rather than just checking boxes. My only gripe is that being in a historic building in Logan Square, the ventilation can feel a bit stuffy in some of the older rooms during peak flu season, but they do a decent job of communicating when something is going around so we aren't blindsided.

So far, SJB has been a really solid choice for my kids. The school is older—being in that historic area of Logan Square—but they keep the place surprisingly clean and cozy. During flu season, the office is really on top of checking in with parents and being clear about the 24-hour fever rule, which I appreciate because it feels like they actually care about keeping bugs from spreading through the whole classroom. It's a smaller community, so you really get to know the staff, and I've felt like they handle health stuff with a personal touch rather than just a form letter. My only gripe is that because the building is older, the ventilation can feel a little stuffy in some rooms when it's hot out, but honestly, it's way better maintained than some of the bigger public schools nearby.