Understanding the ins and outs of the Chicago school system

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Oh it's enough to make my head spin - and I don't even have kids yet.

Public, private, magnet, charter, college prep, gifted. Hello!

The intricacies and the complexities of picking a school for your child in the city of Chicago has more layers and loopholes than a tiered wedding cake. I'm a proud result of the public school system in my home state of Michigan and I am determined to do what I can to give my future children a public education - whether it's in Chicago or in the suburbs.

What's interesting about CPS is the perception that it stinks - it doesn't. It's this silly perception that gets passed on from one charity event to the other that makes new moms think that they have to compete for the best preschools, grammar schools or worse - high end private schools for their children's education.

Ok, sure. There ARE some Chicago public schools that can use some help. There ARE those teachers that should be replaced. There ARE those neighborhoods that need some tender loving care to give their schools the supplies and research they need to propel their students forward.

What it comes down to is research and time. Understanding the differences between public, magnet and charter schools, in addition to whether or not living in a certain school district  gets your child into a particular school is always good to know. Talking to your friends, playdate groups, etc. helps, but at the end of the day, YOU need to make the choice based on your CHILD'S needs. Don't succumb to pressure to send your kid to xyz place purely because of its reputation, along with the pressure of fitting in with the Joneses of the world.

Get an old fashioned spreadsheet, visit schools, talk to faculty and do your own homework. Chicago has a bevy of options  and yes, you may just have to move to a new neighborhood if you'd like your children to attend a certain public grammar school. 

Happy school hunting!