CICS Irving Park in Chicago | Military Town Advisor

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	5/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Illinois Assessment of Readiness data from Illinois State Board of Education, and using 2025 Illinois Science Assessment data from Illinois State Board of Education.
Student Growth	8/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from Illinois State Board of Education.

Posted: May 27, 2026

If you are looking for a school that truly sees and supports the whole child, CICS Irving Park stands out in every possible way. The social and emotional learning at this school is phenomenal and woven into the fabric of everyday life. Student behavior is not simply viewed as good or bad it is understood as communication, and staff work hard to uncover unmet needs while providing meaningful support, accountability, and care.

The school has an incredibly talented and compassionate social work team that goes above and beyond for students and families. You can genuinely feel how deeply the adults care about children here. Students are known, supported, celebrated, and encouraged to grow not only academically, but emotionally and socially as well.

Academically, teaching is thoughtful, intentional, and centered around closing the achievement gap while maintaining high expectations for all students. Teachers are creative, reflective, and willing to do whatever it takes to help students succeed. There is also a strong emphasis on belonging and representation students are encouraged to celebrate and share their cultures, identities, languages, and experiences in authentic ways.

The sense of community is incredible. This school feels joyful, welcoming, and deeply human. Without question, it is the best school in the neighborhood.

If there is one area Id love to see continue growing, it would be creating even more opportunities for parent involvement and volunteering, because families would absolutely want to be part of the amazing culture being built here every day.

Posted: May 27, 2026

Posted: May 21, 2026

CICS Irving Park is a truly special school community. What stands out most is the level of care and support students receive every single day. The staff goes far beyond academics they genuinely focus on the whole child, helping students grow socially, emotionally, and academically.

The teachers are incredibly loving, patient, and committed. They are willing to try anything to help students succeed and feel seen, supported, and valued. There is a strong emphasis on empathy, relationship-building, and SEL (social-emotional learning), which creates an environment where students feel safe, connected, and encouraged to be themselves.

What I appreciate most is that the school believes behavior is communication and approaches challenges with understanding, restorative practices, and partnership with families. The staff works hard to build confidence, responsibility, and kindness in students, not just test scores.

There is also a strong sense of community and school pride throughout the building. From celebrations and community gatherings to student leadership opportunities and supportive relationships, students know they belong here.

CICS Irving Park is filled with educators who care deeply about children and work tirelessly to help them thrive. Its a place where students are loved, challenged, and supported every step of the way.

Posted: May 21, 2026

Posted: May 11, 2026

We moved to Chicago thinking our children would receive a better education than Alabama. Turns out Chicago has the worst school system. From education to bullying policies. This school specifically I would never recommend. My son was bullies all year and wasnt taken serious until he wanted to end his life. I have gone to the school multiple times and kids are running up and down the halls screaming! Playing around outside by themselves with no adult supervision. I have reached out to school multiple times throughout the year to see how my child was doing in school and every time it was their fine and they are doing great. Actually, word for word, theyre doing so much better than other kids in the class. If getting a 58% is better than most the class, you need to rethink the standard for the kids. We cant be comfortable with failing where it matters. Our childrens education system in Chicago is absolutely failing and this school is by far one of the worst.

Posted: May 11, 2026

Posted: September 1, 2025

This school had not taught me a lot I wouldnt recommend going here the only reason I like this school is because of my friends. They have been with me ever since I came now facing 8th grade I lost my scholarship fast all because someone was better than me. I am very upset about this. If you think about going here please reconsider. If your in this school already take your chance on leaving this school.

Posted: September 1, 2025

Posted: November 28, 2023

I'm going to be as blunt as needed and I have no hope for this school honestly. The boy's 7/8th grade bathroom got completely trashed in November of 2023 and the students aren't taking responsibility. Speaking of responsibility the teachers take none, they forget about your emails, forget about your work that you have due, and are just there for the paycheck. This school has too many issues with other things besides the bathrooms. The bullying is silently affecting students and the issue is only worse In higher grades. The staff says how they can't do much because most issues are quote-unquote "Out of school" And students suffer from it, and the staff also doesn't care about our well-being. If we are having a bad day or if we're not feeling well... "oh well hope you feel better but we can't do anything". Another thing is the food, a friend of mine today got EXPIRED MILK in their lunch and they barely feed us at all. I saw another review from a year ago about the WI-FI and it's absolutely terrible, they expect us to do top-quality work but if they don't have top-quality internet. The classrooms are dirty and are growing mold at this point. The janitor barely cleans the classrooms after school but there is messes everywhere. Most problems are usually ignored and neglected by the staff and once things escalate to the point of no return is when things are finally dealt with and finally taken into action. These are the things that make this school low on CPS and I 100% do not recommend coming here, However, The front office lady is honestly one of the only actually helpful people when it comes to helping. When I tried enrolling my toddler she was extremely helpful, We need more people like her when it comes to helping. My 8th-grade student is suffering from bullies and other mental issues, The staff here need to value their students more over their money and kindergarteners and focus more on the older side of their school.
Please reconsider putting your child in this school.

Posted: November 28, 2023

Posted: November 30, 2022

The wifi is very poor and they focus more on money than education, success, and comfort. We were trying to watch the World Cup but the wifi kept giving out and we couldn't. The only good thing about the school is the basketball courts they have, Mr. Sloan, and Ms. Breanna. I was trying to enjoy myself but the school has too many issues. Their platform to learn on is very excessive for the age and difficult and stressful.

Posted: November 30, 2022

Posted: May 5, 2022

Our experience with this school has been amazing. Our kids have thrived at this school, even during the pandemic. The teachers and staff truly care about each student, and it shows every day. The school is fairly small compared to other public schools in the area, which has many advantages for the students. The office staff and the principal know almost every student by name. I haven't met any staff member at this school that I didn't like, and the families and students are great, as well. It's a warm and nurturing environment. They have a nice focus on social-emotional learning, and I hear very little about bullying or mean kids at this school. They have a history of kids getting into good high schools, and they have individualized learning, which helps students learn at their own pace. There is an active PTO and lots of opportunities for students and parents to be involved. We are so lucky that we chose this school for our children!

Posted: May 5, 2022

Posted: April 6, 2019

Thankfully, my kids havent had any real experiences with bullying.

Posted: April 6, 2019

From the moment that these kids get into Kindergarten this school encourages and rewards students that model any of the PRIDE characteristics (Problem-solving, Responsibly, Integrity, Drive and Empathy). Each Friday they have a school community meeting where they chose a student from each class that gets the PRIDE AWARD for the week. The kids really look forward to the Friday community meetings and are always happy for whoever gets the PRIDE award for the week.

Posted: April 6, 2019

The staff cares for all the students. Every morning they are outside to greet the students, my kids always get their first high five of the day from Johnny the security guard. The communication with the staff and parents is excellent.

Posted: April 6, 2019

CICS has a personal learning curriculum that caters to each student individually.

Posted: April 6, 2019

We are happy to be a part of the CICS-IP community. The staff is great and so are the parents. There are many opportunities to volunteer for the PTO and your childs classroom. If you are looking for a publicly funded school that has a private school feel to it, CICS-IP is the school for you.

Posted: April 6, 2019

I think homework should be mandatory. At the beginning of the year my son tried getting out of it since he knew it was optional, but we put a stop to that.

Posted: April 6, 2019

Both of my kids are thriving academically. The teachers care about the kids and also seem very passionate about teaching!

Posted: April 6, 2019

Although homework now seems to be optional at CICS, it is still mandatory in my house. IMO homework should be mandatory for all students.

Posted: April 6, 2019

From the moment that you get to the school you feel a strong sense of community which isnt always easy to find in a big city. The staff greets the parents and students with enthusiasm. I have 2 kids at this school. I have one in 2nd grade and the other in Kindergarten. Im always impressed with how much they learn and how much they love it there! The teachers know how to make learning fun and keep the children interested. We feel lucky to be a part of such a great school.

Posted: February 7, 2019

Our kids have not experienced bullying, so we can't comment.

Posted: February 7, 2019

CICS IP is a publicly funded charter school that is managed by a non-profit organization. It can be easily overlooked because the test scores belie the positive improvements, devoted staff, and friendly community at this school. My kids are thriving academically, emotionally, socially, and *gasp* look forward to going to school each day. They are having fun whilst learning, as young students should, so we feel grateful to have found CICS IP. Hopefully, it can be a good fit for your child too. Go Pumas!

Posted: February 7, 2019

We love how their personalized learning plans (PLP) are used during the school day. The homework policy allows optional opportunities to support classroom instruction using the school's online portal or teacher assigned extensions. The PLP helps my kids keep organized and track their personal growth goals. This approach gives them flexibility to participate in other activities and interests outside of school. CICS IP also offers specials, like music and art, and has an inclusive growing athletic program. This system has worked for us!

Posted: February 7, 2019

CICS IP has a talented core group of dedicated and collaborative educators willing to try several methods of supporting your child when they face challenges at school or in their personal lives. The feedback from our kids is they do a good job of making lessons interesting. We have experienced excellent communication with the teachers. Theres consistent weekly email communications from teachers, administration, and our PTO. Unfortunately, staff turnover seems to happen too frequently. We believe this contributes to an inconsistent student experience.

Posted: February 7, 2019

The best thing about our school, hands down, is the positive energy of our welcoming and diverse community - which includes parents seeking a good education for their kids, educators, and our students. Every school is going to have some challenging kids. The vast majority of the families and kids aspire to have bright futures and demonstrate Puma pride.

Posted: February 7, 2019

Our school has a caring administration. Each day, regardless of the weather, they are outside to greet our kids. They are very visible, encourage feedback, and pursue a child-centered solution to problems that may arise. They make an effort to support socio-emotional development and are committed to safety. Having experience in CPS and private schools, we like how leadership is able to make timely decisions or adjustments throughout the year. It feels similar to a private school in that way.

Posted: February 7, 2019

One child came from a Catholic private school and the other transferred from a CPS selective enrollment school. Both kids were tested gifted, but have different strengths and learning styles. We were frustrated our kids could not test into" the same selective enrollment school because there is no sibling preference in the placement process. They wanted to go to school together, so we started looking for one school that would reflect our family's values as well as address both of their academic challenges and needs. Luckily, we learned about CICS IP through word of mouth.

Posted: July 31, 2018

They hand out homework but there is no follow up or grading so after a while my granddaughter simply didn't do it, she did not take it seriously based on the lack of inspection.

Posted: July 31, 2018

My granddaughter attended kindergarten through second grade, she tested as gifted and in the third grade she scored in the bottom 10% in math. For second grade teacher and simply awful, but she could not control the class, she cried on occasion when the boys in the class will be out of here and he needed during the parent teacher conference that the test scores of the class had suffered due to the chaos. I reached out to the school nearly every two weeks and nothing changed. Now my daughter is pulling her out and will be placing her in private school.

Posted: July 31, 2018

Bullying, swearing, at times physical aggression at lunch that is not addressed.

Posted: July 31, 2018

Absolutely NO help or follow up when issues are raised. Simply poor leadership here.

Posted: July 31, 2018

Awful. My granddaughter tested as gifted but the teachers have difficulty controlling the class as the class sizes are too large therefore she tested poorly. Summer tutoring has helped her catch up and she will go to private school. When my daughter pulled her out they would not reimburse her for fees and uniforms. The student behavior is poor and not addressed by faculty, there is no consequences for poor behavior and no follow up on homework.

Posted: July 28, 2017

They really care about each child. I am really impressed with the individualized learning program.

Posted: July 28, 2017

Posted: June 16, 2017

We transferred our two children from Catholic school to CICS for their 4th grade and Kindergarten years. It was a very difficult decision for me, but after this first year I am so glad I made it! My 4th grade son actually stated that he is not bored in school, finally!, and "actually, almost everything I learn in school is interesting." I almost fell out of my chair! The individualized learning program has worked for my kids so that they get the attention they need to excel. We couldn't be happier with the school for our kids. And the parent community is very positive, welcoming and engaged.

Posted: December 9, 2015

CICS IP has been great to and for my children. Many great friends, Many great Teachers.
They are not too proud to not say when they are wrong and they make an effort to fix things that need to be and can be fixed. No one, no place is perfect but IP makes the top of the list. Keep Strong. Every Minute Every day. Puma Pride!

Posted: April 30, 2015

Our daughter is finishing Kindergarten at CICS Irving Park. We have been nothing short of amazed with her development, both educationally and socially, throughout the past 8 months. She absolutely loves to go to school every morning and trusts and enjoys her teacher immensely. The teachers are engaged and dedicated to the success of their students. Every one I have met from the Director to the support staff are working toward the same goal - teaching these kids to succeed in the higher levels of education. There is a great energy here and tremendous school spirit. We feel fortunate to be a part of it.

Posted: November 10, 2014

I'm really glad I put my kids in this school. They continue to excel, have great friends, and are challenged. When there are issues, they are addressed quickly and courteously and always with the child's best interest in mind. I have also found the parents to be very involved and helpful and have made a great group of friends myself here. The management changed two years ago and it made the school much more positive - there used to be too much focus on what kids were doing wrong. Now the focus is on what they're doing right and making learning more fun, with wonderful results. My kids are doing better than ever.

Posted: January 30, 2014

I LOVE this school, I think the principal is wonderful and really does a good job. The teachers and staff are very helpful and accommodating.My kids love it, they are doing well and really like the culture. I feel like the bad reviews on here are by people who cannot and will not follow the rules. It is $1 a minute but they do give you till 3:45, school is out at 3:30, just pick your kid up on time. simple, the only negative I see are the founding families, so to speak, are a little condescending and some of the parents are pretty clique-ish, I mean most are nice, but not the most welcoming to" new" families and 1 huge pain in the butt are the school colors, maroon tops and gray bottoms, let me tell you from experience that the gray bottoms , unless you buy online or at the uniform store, they are IMPOSSIBLE to find!! Overall it is a great school and I just love it!! We are VERY happy here.

Posted: January 22, 2014

I am a student there! OMG best school ever! Everyone there is trying time make students lives better. The security guard Johnny is so awesome and the staff greets you outside when you come in. The staff and students are family. We have a creed and pride. The creed we say every Thursday and pride is an acronym. Positive, responsible, integrity, dependable and engaged. Don't wanna take it from a parents? Take it from a student. I am in 6th grade. I was going to do the ac test...but i found out I could not leave my family. This is the best school you can pick from. It's a place were you have trust, a place where you can talk to the teachers, a place where students are Happy. I did this one thing with a couple friends and the social worker Ms.gurwin. we took posted notes and put through all over the girls bathroom saying your beautiful and don't let anyone dull your sparkle. Im telling you. Come join the family

Posted: October 15, 2013

My son is a kindergartener at CICS Irving Park and we couldn't be happier. The level of communication we receive from the school is fantastic. Engaged teachers and administrators. My "spirited" son is thriving and learning so much. He's excited to go to school every day. We feel very lucky to have won the lottery to get in!

Posted: September 17, 2013

My daughter is extremely happy at CICS IP. She is excelling across the board; academically, behaviorally and emotionally! She loves the after school programming also. There is finally a Director that has a family and can encourage her staff to find work life balance and she is approachable. The staff are professional and treat my family with care, respect and compassion! My daughter loves being a PUMA!!!

Posted: September 9, 2013

Used to be a school where children felt welcomed & felt that they had a purpose. With the new director who has some sort of connection with the new management doesn't appear to love her position. It's more of a "job" than career choice. Director in a grammar school should be involved not just seen. New teachers can't provide useful information regarding high school requirements. Teachers who have been there for more than two years are awesome but then again they were hired by the past directors who made a positive difference in children's lives. As with any business, a successful well respected organization can be brought down with poor management; this is what this school is headed for. Director needs to be re-evaluated along with the office staff who doesn't know the meaning of the word "humble". If you don't donate to the school the office staff doesn't respect and if your family contributes then the kissing of rear shines a mile away. Sad to see such a wonderful school at one point go down hill. Just watch the test scores while it's under this lady director who doesn't have any sort of experience in running an organization. CICS I.P is a reflection of Chicago's politics

Posted: August 28, 2013

all the good reply on here are paid people and teacher. dont put your child in this school. their are better school.in chicago. teacher come and go,sercuity guard are allow to teach kids. they should make sure the school is safe only. .they charge a dollar a min, if you are late to pick up your child. this school is on its 4 principal. what does that tell you.

Posted: August 28, 2013

My daughter just started Kindergarten and we're at the end of the second week. Every teacher and staff member I've met is very nice, caring, and concerned about the kids well being and success. Communication between school and parents is outstanding. Kids are being encouraged and rewarded for good behavior, which makes them "want" to do well and be a good listener / student and it works very well with my daughter. One of my close friends (who is a teacher herself but not at CICS) highly recommended CICS Irving Park as she knows teachers and their curriculum through professional development workshops. We are excited to be part of CICS Irving Park!

Posted: August 6, 2013

Yes, this school was Chicago's top charter school for the past two years, however, I would say that is could always change, especially now that many changes are coming to this school. One being that the school has a new director that came from another school, two is that the school just switched to another company/provider that can change rules, codes, and regulations. Staff members are also being changed and new teachers hired. It's a great school (again, could change) for upper grade levels and a bit harsh on lower grade levels. They don't provide much help and attention to lower grade levels (k-4th) as a parent think they should, but they support and encourage upper grade levels (5th-8th) all the way until they graduate. It is true that late pick-ups are charged a dollar per minute late, though that is mostly because whoever is in charge of the watching over the late pick ups doesn't have to be watching over them. Still, as I said before, the school is undergoing new changes at the moment. As any other school, one can only hope for a bright future for their student regardless of situations.

Posted: July 31, 2013

This school is the best. I am trying to get my son enrolled in here. I have cousins attending school at time. Teachers really care about students.

Posted: August 23, 2012

This is an excellent school. I took my child out of a CPS public school 3 yrs ago. It just wasn't cutting it. And since then my child is learning what he should be and his test scores are great and above the learning curve. The staff at CICS is awesome and are determined to find anyway to work with you and your child. The work hard to make sure your child goes to school to get their education on a current curriculum. They treat every student like family. They have great fundraisers and have Family Movie Nights. This has been my experience. Very glad I chose this school for my child who is now in 6th grade!

Posted: March 12, 2012

Parents of 2, soon to be 3 children, 5th, 3rd, and incoming kindergartener. This is an active, engaged, and involved body of students, staff and parents. The scores speak for themselves. Number one charter school in the city of Chicago. Great place if you're looking for a healthy learning environment, an engaged staff and the prospect of your children getting a college-bound foundation. CICS Irving Park is for you.

Posted: February 27, 2012

I am a parent of 2 students at this school, and we are so happy we got into CICS-IP. We've declined spots at other in-high-demand schools since we started here, as we feel it is the best elementary sch for our children. The teachers & staff are extremely dedicated, educated, professional & approachable, plus they promote excellent social skills among students. The children & their parents are welcomed at the sch plus their opinions & input are valued. Each day, my children are happy to go to school & in the evening they recount how good their days have been. They are learning at a pace faster than many public & private schs due to the high quality advanced educ, the targeted teaching per each student's abilities & the fun environment. They appreciate the wide curriculum avail to them incl Spanish, Science, Art, Music, Gym, plus the excellent optional extra-curricular activities. As working parents, we also appreciate the longer sch day, less sch days off, and competitively priced after-school care. It is also great that parent involvement is appreciated & encouraged, as more social & after school events are being organized so both kids & parents can participate more if they wish.

Posted: December 7, 2011

This is an amazing school that we are very fortunate to be a part of. CICS Irving Park was just rated the top scoring Charter school in the City of Chicago! Not only is it a high performing school, but the director, staff and teachers are all deeply committed to offering a differentiated learning experience to each and every child. They all also care deeply for each child and greet them warmly each morning. The attitude of the children is also one of caring and respect, from K through 8th grade, which is rare. In addition to being academically rigorous, the school offers full-time art, music, gym and spanish as part of the curriculum for all grades. They have computers in every classroom and the children are tested regularly to identify areas of strength and weakness. The school also has a very involved and passionate group of parents who have initiated many events, fundraisers and programs including a school garden, chicken coop and school composting program! It is truly a wonderful, nurturing and hands-on community for our child, who is excelling academically, socially and emotionally. We love CICS Irving Park!

Posted: November 27, 2011

This school has actually improved now that last year's director left the school and the assistant director took over her position. I received regular news emails from the new director, something I never once did in previous years from the old director. Every now and then I receive a reminder email about the school not being responsible for calling parents about picking up children on time on early dismissal days - at least we get an email now. I'm giving the teachers a 4-star rating instead of five stars because although they work long hours, we have an incredibly high turnaround of teachers every year. This must have a huge impact on the quality of education since most of the newcomers are new graduates. I believe it can and should be better, especially at a so-called "school of choice" as administration likes to reiterate every time they have the opportunity. In addition, last year's science test scores came back - not impressive what so ever! So overall, CICS Irving Park is NOT a superb school as some parents may paint it for you. If you have other options, look into those first!!!

Posted: May 25, 2011

I agree with the parent who commented on CICS Irving Park's director. I attended a school function once, and saw her wearing the most inappropriate clothes for school. She was wearing a halter top with a bare back. It was a swag-type back that landed nearly at her waist. She wore a mini-skirt, the kind that is in style and appropriate only for teens which was definitely shorter than the two inch above the knee rule. Ridiculous! She is supposed to be a role model to so many girls in the school. How can the dress code be enforced when she dresses in clothes that should only be worn to night clubs? I have daughters and I do not want them exposed to that kind of unprofessional behavior and lack of common sense.

Posted: May 24, 2011

CICS Irving Park teachers are wonderful. They will provide what is promised by the organization's mission statement. With that said, the school has it's downfalls as well. One downfall to this school is the director. The director is the most inaccessible head of school that I have ever known. So if you have to speak to her, forget it because it will get as good as the assistant director. Also, if you are late to pick up your child, you will be charged $1 per minute! I have been told horror stories by parents who have had to pay over $100 dollars because for one reason or another they were unable to pick up their child(ren) on time. This mostly happens on Wednesday since kids are dismissed at 1:50 on this day not the regular dismissal time of 3:30. The school will not make a courtesy call to remind you that your child is still waiting to be picked up. They claim it is not their responsibility to call. So, imagine if you have two or three kids and you pick them up just thirty minutes late--you do the math! Oh and the late fees must be paid otherwise come report card pick up day, you will not be given the privilege to take your child's report card home. Inform yourself first!!!

Posted: February 16, 2011

I love is school! Best school in the city...The most wonderful and caring teachers. They go above and beyond to help my child. I wish I had a school like when I was growing up in the city!

Posted: February 14, 2011

We have been here since the school opened in 2007, the first kindergarten class. He is now in 3rd grade and excelling beyond what we could imagine. We are so happy we made the right choice for our son.

Posted: February 13, 2011

We made our original decision to attend CICS Irving Park based on word of mouth on, Charter Schools being better than any CPS school. But after the first few weeks we made the decision to stay, keep our children in CICS Irving Park. These are our reasons: Diversity Always looking into challenging our children, Academically rigor Great family involvement The teachers are highly qualified and or certified, positive, challenging and even fun. Administration is just as involved as the teachers. Everyone knows the children s names and is respectful and attentive to what is best for the students. Which make the school a rich and SAFE learning environment It does not matter if your children are at/below or /above grade level, CICS Irving park challenges our children and strives to have them moving forward and upward. This college readiness approach already has my 1st grader weighing out her options. She is a Scholarship hopeful. She wants to know it all and believes she is half way there The office staff is friendly so if you are looking for a tour or just have question that needs to be answered stop on in or give them a call today.

Posted: February 9, 2011

CICS Irving Park is very impressive. My son is in 1st grade. His teacher is highly qualified, motivated and experienced. The Principal and Vice Principal are outstanding. Overall teacher quality is top-notch. Academics are rigorous; progress closely monitored; expectations high (especially compared with regular CPS schools). Discipline focuses on positive reinforcement. School spirit and responsible behavior is rewarded during monthly assemblies where "Green Team" kids are applauded and cheered by peers and parents who are welcome to attend and do. Every morning my son is welcomed to school with big smiles and enthusiastic Good Mornings from the staff and often the Principal and/or Vice Principal. I feel my son is in a safe, supportive, positive learning environment. We are very fortunate. I highly recommend this school.

Posted: February 9, 2011

CICS Irving Park is an excellent school that educates children with positive reinforcement. My son is in kindergarten and we could not be happier. After touring the school, meeting with the Vice Principal and K teacher, we turned down a classical school to attend CICS. The children are assessed in the summer and come to school on the first day with a curriculum based on the individual. They are evaluated throughout the year and each student's curriculum is adjusted as needed. My son has had different assignments, 1-1 teaching (with the Vice Principal!) for his advanced math lessons during school time. The teachers use positive reinforcement to motivate the children and the school has a team attitude. I love the morning greetings by the staff and school gathering before class starts. There is a student of the day, every day, in every class that is recognized. We could not be happier. Our son is excelling and I highly recommend going on a tour and meeting the staff at CICS-Irving Park.

Posted: February 9, 2011

CICS-IP is an outstanding school. The committment that the administrators and staff have displayed in providing a challenging and individualized education for our daugher has truly exceeded our expectations. When we were faced with the difficult decision of attending CICS-IP or the CPS gifted school our daughter was accepted to, we chose CICS-IP due to the excellent reputation, the diverse population and the emphasis they place on both academic and social-emotional growth. We have not been disappointed. Our daughter has made incredible gains. We feel very fortunate to have our daughter enrolled in such an exceptional school.

Posted: February 8, 2011

We chose CICS Irving Park (over several of the CPS GEAP programs) because of the strong academic rigor that we have found at CICS, and because of the sense of community that we see developing within this relatively new school. The educators at CICS Irving Park are absolutely committed to providing each of the students at CICS with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in academia and in life. CICS focuses on differentiated learning within and outside of the classroom to provide challenging instruction to students at all levels. The school is very diverse and the children are all taught to be respectful learners. The program is very rigorous - with longer school days, longer school years and high expectations for all. There is a strong focus on discipline within the school which results in a safe and supportive environment for learning. In addition to the academic rigor, the school works hard to provide a well-rounded education with Spanish, art, music and gym. The school makes active use of positive reinforcement and individualized recognition. The administration is approachable and very engaged, knowing every student name and regularly participating in the classrooms.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Forrestal Military Community	Neighborhood/Subdivision	North Chicago	IL	25.4 mi
2	Forest City Nimitz	Neighborhood/Subdivision	North Chicago	IL	26.1 mi
3	Woodlake Apartments	Apartment Complex	Gurnee	IL	30.4 mi
4	Reserve at Eagle Ridge	Apartment Complex	Waukegan	IL	33.1 mi

#	Name	City	State	Overall Rating	Distance
1	Libertyville	Libertyville	IL		26.1 mi
2	Waukegan	Waukegan	IL		29.4 mi

Base	Distance
Coast Guard Chicago	17.5 mi.
Great Lakes Naval Station	25.2 mi.

CICS Irving Park

Chicago, IL 60618

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CICS Irving Park

Chicago, IL 60618

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