ElementaryChicago, ILHealth profile

Willa Cather Elementary School

Willa Cather Elementary School in Chicago is a wellness-focused institution recognized for its leadership in school health policies and comprehensive health education programs.

A place to learn, thrive, and stay well.

Willa Cather Elementary School is a public elementary school located at 2908 W Washington Blvd in Chicago's West Side. As part of the Chicago Public Schools district, the institution provides foundational education to primary-grade students in the 60612 area. The school is recognized for its strong commitment to health and wellness. Leadership at Willa Cather has been honored with the Deborah Reese Memorial Award for excellence in school wellness, reflecting a dedicated focus on student well-being. The curriculum includes comprehensive sexual health education, and the school has actively integrated health-centered policies into its long-term planning. For parents, Willa Cather is notable for its proactive approach to student health and its leadership's emphasis on creating a healthy learning environment. This focus on wellness is a central component of the school's identity and educational strategy.

  • Common Cold
    4/1/2026
    CoughRunny Nose
    Severity: mild

Health reviews

2.0
1 review
  • Honestly, I’m pretty frustrated with the health situation at Willa Cather. Even though the school district talks a big game about facility upgrades and 'WELL' health ratings, it doesn't feel that way on the ground. The attendance rates in this part of CPS are always a struggle, and it feels like there's always something going around the classrooms. The communication when kids get sick is pretty hit or miss, and I’ve definitely had concerns about the upkeep of the building given its age. While I know they recently got some funding for improvements, it feels like it’s taking forever to actually see those changes in the hallways. Right now, it just feels like the bare minimum is being done to keep things clean and the kids healthy.

    3/31/2026

Live map

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.

Built by parents, for parents

Help families at Willa Cather Elementary School stay one step ahead.

Share this page with your school community so every parent can see what's going around, and contribute their own reports.