Nettelhorst Recent History

Since 1892, the red brick building in East Lakeview has not only served as one of the first, but one of the finest public elementary schools in Chicago. Today we are a CPS Magnet Cluster School and one of the first CPS community schools in Chicago. We offer a broad-based education emphasizing learning, creativity, personal growth and an appreciation for other cultures. Children from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade learn in a stimulating and secure environment. In the last five years, a consortium of concerned parents has worked with the school along with local businesses and artists to transform the landmark building into a visually stimulating and vibrant space and environment in which to explore, grow and learn.

The globes along the hallway Undersea mural

Head up our entry hall wallpapered with maps donated by Rand McNally and artfully dotted with dozens of globes. Or venture down to the basement now transformed with the donation of paint and artists' time and energy into 'Atlantis' - a virtual underwater passage. From donated museum quality displays to historic WPA murals and art by leading community artists, the very fabric of the building is tuned to inspire a student's own sense of discovery.

While these and other aesthetic transformations were being made, Nettelhorst also made great strides academically. Over the past eight years our ISAT scores across all grades have improved from 30-50 out of 100 to 60-90. For this consistent improvement, CPS recognized the school as a 'Rising Star School' in 2005-2006. In addition, our status as a fine arts magnet school means that CPS funds full-time arts and music teachers at the school, ensuring our students now have a rich arts environment and education. Our school has earned a solid and comprehensive academic reputation. As a measure of this reputation, Nettelhorst now has two tuition-based preschool classes (around 40 students total), which fill quickly.

Reading time in the Library Students in front of the WPA mural

Our student body of 480 is very diverse: about 25% are African American, 25% Hispanic, 40% White, and the remaining 10% mostly Asian. Because of our cultural diversity, and because we are an international magnet school, one of the high points of our year is our annual International Festival. Every class from preschool through eighth grade studies a different country, and contributes a performance - from traditional dances and songs, to news reports on the history and culture culminating in a show that brings all the parents and children together in our auditorium.

We attract students from a range of socio-economic situations, from professional families to those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Diversity is important to us, and we ensure that all students can fully participate in school life -- for instance arranging scholarships for Hull House activities on the basis of financial need. In addition, we have two state-funded preschool classes, with 40 students total. It is a state of Illinois and Nettelhorst priority to serve "at risk" children, and therefore the various criteria for admission satisfy this priority and include them in the school. Finally, we have a group of special needs students, some with severe or profound learning disabilities, and our facilities and curriculum must serve them well.

Nettelhorst Cafeteria

Nettelhorst is often cited in the media as an example of innovation and renewal in urban public schools (we have been featured on CBS, PBS, NPR, 60 Minutes, the New York Times as well as Chicago papers). Our innovation goes beyond academic changes - for example, we received a grant from XM radio to play classical music in our cafeteria during lunchtime, and piloted the CPS Healthy Eating Program, which brought a salad bar to the school.

Nettelhorst has also become a centerpiece for the community. The Nettlehorst French Market is a Saturday 'town square' with stalls featuring fresh farm produce, flowers, gourmet foods, crafts and goods. The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce co-hosts the neighborhood Halloween Hoopla and Easter Egg Hunt. A weekly story time is run in our library by the Unabridged bookstore across the street - open to the public and a treat for pre-k students each week.

Students in a dance class

Jane's Place at Nettelhorst is a partnership between Hull House Association and Nettelhorst and offers a variety of programs for students and community members. It provides an infusion of arts and culture as well as an academic focus on literacy, math and technology; children and adults are able to participate in a variety of on site programming. Many are taught by such Chicago area groups as Old Town School of Folk Music, Lillstreet Learning Center, Fairytale Ballet and Lincoln Park Athletic Club.

In 1996, parents and community leaders established the Nettelhorst Community Group (NCG), dedicated to revitalizing the landmark Nettelhorst School. NCG provides a full range of support across the school, and is the principal fundraiser (we are a public 501c3 non-profit organization). A tightly coordinated parent volunteer group, in close collaboration with our Local School Council and Nettelhorst administration, supports our fundraising efforts.

A broken seat in the auditorium

This year NCG has increased its fund-raising goals considerably, in order to find the investment necessary to lift our 'rising star' even higher, to be one of the top schools in Chicago. Our academic standing has improved dramatically, and now our teachers, parents and community are ready to make Nettelhorst truly outstanding. To read more about our goals, please visit the our fundraising site.

Please join us in the library every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. for a free children's story hour, hosted by Unabridged Bookstore, and stay for the school tour immediately following at 9:45.