| Date | Who | Comments |
| 8/31/2012 | parent | So, to the real estate broker who said that moving near AJ doesn't help your chances, even if you're 1.5 miles away. I read where there was a different lottery for kids within 1.5 miles - are you saying that's incorrect. I'm just asking because we are just starting to look where to move in Chicago for next school year (2013-14) and just want to get a handle on all of this...thanks. |
| 5/14/2012 | parent | This school has done wonders for my daughter! I was always on the look out for a great school for my children and that is exactly what I've found in this school. From principal all the way to the lunch staff , they keep these kids well rounded and completely grounded. Its excellent. The parents are great also. I work crazy hours so I'm not able to be as involved as I want but they always make you feel welcomed and included. Best school ever . |
| 5/7/2012 | parent | Great School, Great Teachers, Great Leadership. They have their act together. Parents are the best here. I mean its WOW! |
| 4/2/2012 | parent | Dear Parent, I am a real estate broker and a mother of two who also lives in the area and would like to inform you that living in the area does not provide you with instant access to AJ because it is not considered a neighborhood school. Therefore, please be careful if promises or statements have been made to you during your home buying search or purchase as to the likelihood of acceptance at AJ will be based on lottery. |
| 3/14/2012 | parent | Does anybody know what are your chances of getting accepted if you live in the neighborhood (less than 1.5 mi away?). We are buying a house around the school and are looking forward to having our son attend, but I am worried about this lottery system even for neighborhood kids. Any opinions would be appreciated. |
| 3/10/2012 | parent | Been at ajla for 6 years as a parent. I have to say I am very happy with the teachers and principal. The principal is fair and understands children and is very supportive both to parents and students alike. Communication with teachers is not a problem. My guess parents that don't like the principal because he is fair and runs a tight ship and the parent didn't get snobby way. If there is anything wrong is a few high strung Parents that want their way and when the don't get it the complain. |
| 3/9/2012 | parent | Fnally a parent speaks the truth about AJLA. I having been waiting for this review. You speak the truth as to what really goes on beyond the black picket fence. Your opinion Feb 1st Parent is much appreciated. |
| 2/1/2012 | other | I attended AJLA from 1997 - 2002. The ethnic diversity at the school provided me with the true meaning of a well rounded education. The faculty and staff always went the extra mile for us. Teachers truly cared about our education and ensured that we would be well prepared for high school. Because of AJLA, I excelled at Whitney Young High School and now a proud alumna of UCLA. Educators at AJLA understand that the foundation of a good education starts at a very young age. The importance of taking copious notes in class was first introduced to me in the 7th grade, and to this day (as a law student) I am still going back to the basics of what I learned when I was 13! I couldn't have gone this far without AJLA being there for the primal years of my educational career! |
| 5/29/2011 | parent | Teachers, Principal, Parents involvement all outstanding. I have two kids at AJLA. one upper grade, one lower grade could not be more pleased with the whole school staff and the education they are getting. Again just outstanding. |
| 5/27/2011 | parent | This is school the bees knees. The teachers are very attentive to the students needs. The administration is also top notch. They always look at the children 1st before the make any decision. Parent involvement is 2nd to none. One just has to walk into the school and see parents that are willing to help at anytime. The principal is in constant communication with parents. Kids are very happy and excited going to school each morning. AJLA is building them a solid foundation for many years to come. |
| 5/27/2011 | parent | The principal has an impressive knowledge of each student, down to his/her reading tastes. The teachers and building staff are dedicated and generous. |
| 5/26/2011 | parent | AJLA provides a solid education so if that's all that matters, this is your school. The principal who in 2007 inherited a superior operation has a stand-off ish "too busy" kind of attitude. The relations between many parents and the principal and teachers is confrontational. It's become SOP, very stressful. In the upper grades, support is lacking. It's all about maintaining rank at this school. Sad to say about such a good school. |
| 5/26/2011 | parent | I strongly agree with the parent who posted today, May 26, 2011. It s a very true assessment of the leadership in the school today. Support is definitely lacking in the upper grades from the teachers as well as the principal. |
| 11/8/2010 | parent | This school is a parent's dream. The parent involvement is excellent. The principal communicates with the parents regularly. The teachers excel in their areas of expertise. I highly recommend this school to anyone in Chicago. |
| 5/19/2010 | parent | It provides phenomenal leadership within the school. The teachers provide excellent instruction. They have the most advanced language program offered nationwide. The cross cultural experience provides a true reflection of our global society. It is a well direct public school. |
| 5/17/2010 | parent | I Love Andrew Jackson Language Academy because of the school's diversity, sponsered learning activities after school and wonderful teaching staff. |
| 5/14/2010 | parent | they are on top of things!they have a clue! |
| 5/12/2010 | parent | There are so many reasons for which I love this school. Let me start by saying that the teachers in this school are the best. They will go out of their way to make sure you are informed and kept in the loop when it comes to your child's progress. This gives the parents a chance to help their children improve on areas that are needed and are also given the tools to do so by our great and caring teachers. Diversity is also one of the reasons why I love this school. My children have learned about so many cultures and traditions from the friendships they have developed over the years. Not only are they learning the importance of socializing but also the languages that they are exposed to gives them a sense of curiosity with other parts of the world that they would otherwise not have. Our faculty, staff, parents and students are always looking for ways to make our school better and give back to the community. |
| 5/10/2010 | parent | We at Jackson are consistently looking for ways to improve the educational and social experience for students, staff, faculty and parents. |
| 5/10/2010 | parent | Wonderful diversity of student body and families, outstanding teachers, tremendous leadership. The school inspires us as people to do our best in all things! |
| 5/10/2010 | parent | Teachers are very dedicated to their work. They motivate my kids to go the extra mile in any subject. |
| 5/10/2010 | parent | The school encorages kids to learn. They create a positive environment for the students. The teachers are very involved, and have a great sense of pride in the academics taught there. |
| 5/10/2010 | parent | It's a wonderful school. Great teachers, friendly kids, good encourages for the kids to learn, diversify cultures for the kids, and my kids likes the school. |
| 5/10/2010 | parent | Diversity of students; all inclusive Parent Council; superb Chinese program; enthusiastic and fully engaged administration, faculty and staff create a healthy learning environment academically, socially and emotionally; unified grounded principles allow for a safe and secure place strong enough to encourage new approaches and continued growth. |
| 5/10/2010 | other | diversity of studnts,great faculty staff parents and students |
| 5/10/2010 | parent | It has a great sense of 'school citizen' where each student is expected to be a steward of the school. The older students serve as models for the younger students- they often come into the younger classrooms and read to the students, play games, and create special crafts for the young students. It has a calm, ordered atmosphere, and it seems like a true community. |
| 5/10/2010 | parent | Jackson provides an exceptional opportunity for youth to grow into him/her self in a postive way! |
| 5/10/2010 | parent | unified and dedicated administrator, teachers and parents language emphasis and awareness among the children |
| 5/9/2010 | parent | Excellent faculty.... Respectful children and family members....Top notch education! |
| 5/9/2010 | parent | We are blessed to have such caring teachers and staff that inspire our diverse student population to excel in all the do! |
| 5/9/2010 | parent | We have the best teachers and support staff and the best parent group and LSC. Together they make this one of the best schools to educate a young mind in Chicago. |
| 5/8/2010 | parent | The caring teachers who do above and beyond for the students. |
| 5/8/2010 | parent | We have great socioeconomic & ethnic diversity, teachers who care about our children, and administrators who encourage parent participation. |
| 3/11/2009 | student | I love this school! The people are always welcoming and it's extremely diverse. We have students from all over, including Greece, Germany, Hawaii, Cuba, and lots more. In addition, all the teachers make learning fun. Throughout all the schools I have attended, this one succeeds the standards in education and fun. I won't forget the memories I've made at Jackson. |
| 12/2/2007 | teacher | There is a saying that you sometimes don't appreciate something until it is gone. I am a former teacher at AJLA who has since moved overseas. You will have to travel far and wide to find a quality school such as Andrew Jackson Language Academy. Reflecting back on my teaching experience there I can honestly tell you that it was a milestone in my teaching career. I worked with a top notch group of teachers who always went the extra mile for their students. The big difference was that they took the time to care to make a difference in the lives of children. When AJLA students graduate they are fully prepared to enter high school and have an excellent foundation for life. There was much more to learn than your ABC's at this school, you learned about life, about proper behavior, self-control, and learned life skills. |
| 11/22/2007 | student | I am a student at Andrew Jackson Language Academy. I would like to say my experiences here have been great. But I can also speak for the whole student body that we miss Dr. Zeltmann. She was the only reason that kept me up top on things that I thought I couldn't do. This school is great but Dr. Zeltmann wouldv'e made my last year even better. |
| 3/25/2007 | parent | 150 words are not enough to express my satisfaction and admiration of Andrew Jackson Language Academy. The teachers who I know there are professional and seem to really care a lot about the children and I think that probably applies to all the teachers from my observations. High standards for appropriate and respectful behavior are encouraged and the kids are well mannered. The school is very clean and parents are involved and the scores are high. The principal is wonderful. Whenever I've talked with her, she gives her full attention and clearly explains issues with a huge knowledge base, experience, and kindness. The Japanese language class is fun and the expectations for a good amount of homework and practice are well known by the student and the parent. A+ for this school. |
| 3/22/2007 | parent | the incredible dedication of its principal and teaching staff and the active Parent Council make this school excel. The principal is always there for parents and kids. Whenever the children are entering,leaving,or going on field trips she is there. She comes to the parties we have for the children and staff. The teaching staff is very ready to work with parents to help children overcome diffculties - in every grade they have helped my son with extra activities. The Parent Council is very active and parents are welcome in the classrooms. The principal always looks out for the good of the whole student body, and if you want 'special treatment' that conflicts with this goal, its unlikely that you will get it here. Expect fair and equal treatment. |
| 9/19/2006 | parent | Jackson is a great school with a lot of potential. The Languages offered are excellent, but the changes from language to language can disaapoint the children. The principal has no concern for change. The school needs to change some of its ways of communication with parents and students. There needs to be more cultural awareness for all, especially for the African American students. Overall the education is great, but the principal needs more people skills. |
| 9/8/2006 | parent | Can't say enough positive about this school. The teacher's are excellent and the homework challenging. The environment is nurturing. I attribute a lot of the success of this school to the leadership of the principal, who is very involved and personable. My daughter wakes up in the morning eager to go to school, which says it all. |
| 7/6/2006 | parent | I believe that A. Jackson is a good school but the Principal is doing the school a great injustice with her inflexible nature. |
| 3/31/2006 | parent | great staff, positive learning environment, diverse student body that benefits everyone, principal has what it takes. |
| 3/23/2006 | parent | We Love AJLA. The academics are tough and the students receive lots of homework but the test results speak for themselves. The principal, staff and caring teachers make AJLA feel like a second home to my daughters. More than one teacher has offered to stay late or show up early to give extra help in a subject . The racial diversity of this school is unbeatable, my girls have friends from all parts of our city. I feel that the school can offer much more in the extracurricular activities. Parent involement is very strong. |
| 12/8/2005 | parent | The Academic Program involves a tremendous amount of homework. Their main source of helping children is referring them to outside tutoring programs. The children who graduate live around the school are most likely get admission in to the top high school in the vicinity. The school has art, music, sports and computer class. Parent involvement is average. |
| 10/1/2005 | parent | the academics at this school are excellent and advanced. The teachers are well educated. The prinicpal sticks up for her school. My only complaint is the draconian discipline. In my son's first year he had quite a bit of damage to his self esteem due to AJLA's method of discipline for the incoming kindergartners. I can understand giving a smiley face or a star to students listening well and behaving, but to make a child sign their own name on a 'sad face' in front of the class if they didn't follow directions even once is excessive. No point to requesting another means of less humiliating discipline. With Chicago's schools so bad, AJLA can operate as it suits them they know parental options for other schools is small. Academics are great, but children who are absent-minded or shy are at a disadvantage. expect them to come home crying alot in Kindergarten. |
| 3/2/2005 | former student | I am currently a college student here in Chicago, I went to AJLA when I was younger. Of all the schools I attended, I specifically remember Andrew Jackson. I truly love this school, and when I have children, they WILL be enrolled in AJLA. I am very fluent with other languages because of the wonderful language program, I also received a head start on computers because of the advanced computers and advanced updated computer software. The library was truly one of the biggest and best, where the librarian made it easy for use to look up books, and I had a ball in gym, with Coach R. Overall, my learning experience in the classroom was the best. My teachers explained the work easily and made class fun and adventurous. Thank you AJLA! |
| 2/17/2005 | former student | LOVED This school. I'm curretnly in college-- and I still have very fond memories of Andrew Jackson Elementary Language Academy! Teachers are there to motivate the students. Both teachers and parents are very involved with each students learning experience. The school is very diverse, enabling me to learn tons about other culturs that I know I wouldn't have learned before. Coming to college, I see myself as having an advantage *because* I attended Jackson. I highly recommend this school to every parent. It was the greatest school I'd ever attended |
| 6/1/2004 | parent | Nicely designed, this school is spacious, bright & clean. Highlights include a wonderful language and library program, recess, gym, art, music, & computer lab. However, this is a very traditional school that places emphasis on conformity and test scores. Repitition and following directions preside over a very rigid, one-size-fits-all curriculum. Discipline within the primary grades include daily placement of children's names on a happy or sad face. Though safety & bullying issues are of great concern, there is little tollerance for age-appropriate behavior. Of course there are those of exception, but overall I find this school's culture non-differentiated, controlling & impersonal. |
