I would like to explain the experience of being here at Acacia Academy. In Acacia Academy, I've…read moreexperienced difficulty with learning while dealing with PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, and ADHD mostly. While being here, I've struggled even more. The classes with these two specific teachers have made it even more difficult for me to learn and to work. The teachers will follow me to the bathroom due to the fact I've cried in the bathroom multiple times and it has been a '"concern" to the staff members. I would also like to mention that I've gotten panic attacks in the bathroom too-because of my PTSD, and also feeling like I am not good enough for anyone in this school (staff members, teachers, and students.) It has really made me uncomfortable from the fact that the administrator has instructed the teachers to follow me to the bathroom to monitor for me crying, panicking, or talking badly about myself even when I had stopped now. I would also like to mention that the administrator assumes that every problem with a student is either stress, or anxiety. There was a time when I was on the bathroom floor from having a panic attack and I felt weak, I've told the social worker that I had a PTSD flashback, yet they had put me in a room with an administrator to just eat my lunch and apparently "give me time" is what the social worker said and put me back in class. I understand that social workers have to talk to other kids in school, but what makes these "social workers" think that putting me back in class was a fine thing to do? Every time that I've talked to these "social workers," and discuss about how this school has made my mental state worse, yet they encourage me to keep going to this school. I've never felt more disgusted, hatred, and anger in my life from how a "social worker" would convince me that it is required to keep going here while my mental state is getting worse day by day while coming to this school. Keep in mind, I am really struggling with suicidal thoughts right now at the moment and I have to do an online hospitalization program. The teachers continue to stack up on work, while knowing that I will not be able to do some of these assignments at home because I have to do an online hospitalization program. I've never felt more pressured in my life than ever when wanting to have good grades, to get my work done, while I feel that the teachers and staff have absolutely NO awareness about the fact that I won't be able to have enough time to turn in all these assignments on time because of my online hospitalization program. Dealing with my mental health and education is absolutely exhausting, but yet-the teachers continue to give me stacks of work while I'm having to do the online hospitalization program at the same time. I've tried talking to the social workers here, but I've noticed that social workers tend to go straight to the negatives when it comes to certain talks, but never find the positivity in things that could happen if I made changes for coming to this school. Another thing is that a social worker was hoping for me to go to a partial hospitalization program *in-person*, but I told her that I was doing it *online* and she gave me a disappointed look and said, "I was hoping you would go in-person." I felt that it was completely unnecessary that she had to give a comment like that for the choices my parents make to try to help me. The social workers will always tell you, "I'm glad you came today!" Sure! You're glad that I came today to this school, but do I feel that I'm glad I came today? Absolutely not, in reality, I feel like I am forced to be in this school and suffer more each day as I continue to come here. Sometimes I don't even have a choice from whether I should come to school or not, my parents mostly make the decision to whether I can stay home or not. Attendance really matters here, because if you don't come to class for a certain amount of days, you will be held back. I feel even more pressured that I am *required* to come to this school every week without being able to give myself time to stabilize myself, yet I will have to continuously live a dreadful loop for coming here to this school and suffer even more. This school needs to have more awareness on how students feel and need to know what they're struggling with. This school may seem that it's "accommodating" and "helpful," but I feel that the school has barely accommodated anything for me as a student who wants to be successful. Oh! And also, this school told me to take my other rating down because they're afraid of people seeing the truth for what it's like to come here.

When I was sitting in an IEP meeting for my child in our normal school district I was gutted when…read morethey recommended placement out of district. I mean, how could this be? His diagnosis is manageable in public school. It happens everyday. I knew the teachers didn't understand him, and didn't care to. I knew they were mean to him but I fought to keep him in regular school because I wanted him to be with friends in the neighborhood and I didn't want the stigma attached to being sent out of district. His school district turned the screws and fought harder to get him out by destroying his self esteem. Ultimately I agreed to placement out of district to save my son's sanity. Enter Acacia. I was apprehensive at first. Everyone was so nice. I didn't think this could be real after everything we'd been through. But guess what? It IS amazing! My son loves going to school here. He feels valued as a human being and an individual. They teach him at the speed he's comfortable with. Every day that I ask him how his day was he says, "GREAT". I used to be scared to ask him how his day was. My stomach would flip when I saw an email from his school. Those days are over for us. Acacia is where it's at. Everyone knows what they're doing and I regret fighting our school district. He went from someone who was being shamed daily and punished for a neurological problem to someone who has his self esteem and happiness back. He has A's and B's and they LIKE him. I highly recommend Acacia. If you're checking reviews like I was, I know you're not in a good place right now. Hang in there moms and dads. Meet with Acacia as one of your options. You may be scared but everything will be ok - especially if this is where your child ends up.

This is a newer school in Oak Park so I was a little nervous at first. The class sizes are small so…read morethe teachers are very attentive. Pricing is better compared to some in the Chicagoland areas. My daughter is taking Japanese classes here and so far so good. She really likes her teacher which I feel is important. The space also promotes learning, rugs and pillows everywhere but also small classrooms for teaching. On the weekends the environment is very quiet. Had a chance to write this review while sipping complementary coffee while waiting for my daughter. The staff here are always so welcoming!

I am Cynthia R.'s husband. We signed up for the whole summer back in January and have the email to…read moreprove it. When we showed up with our daughter for day 1 of the 2nd 6 weeks, we were shocked when they said we had not enrolled. Then they lied to us and said the session was full; we had a friend call the next day and found they had room. It wasn't until after repeated calls and emails that the director (does not deserve this title) informed us it was due to our child's behavior. We were only notified once of any issues and we immediately addressed them. In addition, we asked every day how things were and were always told "good" and "fine" and were never again contacted about any behavior issues. If we had been, we would have dealt with them but the lies and deceit are so very unprofessional and unethical. We have filed a formal complaint with the BBB of Chicago and have done the same with the Village of Oak Park. Our child did love Academia and is heart broken, is this how an institution of child learning acts and behaves? Buyer beware with this place!!

My daughter attended the before and after care programs run by Grand Avenue for 5 years, as well as…read morethe summer camps, and I couldn't have been happier with the experience. The staff was always kind and professional, and my daughter never wanted to leave at the end of the day! I looked forward to chatting with the staff at the end of a long day too, an added bonus for sure. As for professionalism, I couldn't have asked for better--everything I needed to know was well documented for me (upcoming activities, enrollment deadlines, etc.) and handled with the utmost care. Mr. Dan and his staff are the best!

I had a damaging experience with a teacher named Jacob Benke. Jacob was also a head basketball…read morecoach at Walther Christian Academy. His conduct was manipulative and harmful. I was a victim of his control tactics, which had a lasting emotional and psychological impact. As a student athlete, I started every game I played. I was eligible to play, but he would use my game participation as leverage for obedience. For instance, when I expressed things he disliked, he would prohibit me from going to games. He made decisions based on his ego rather than athletic or academic merit. The result was deliberate sabotage of both my development and the team's. Jacob is sadistic. I remember him mocking me about recruitment while interfering with my opportunities. He would sit me out during games that mattered. For a young athlete, this behavior was damaging and reckless. He uses psychological mind games, pressure, and humiliation when in power. Years later, he saw me in person and attempted to apologize. That moment confirms his awareness of the harm he causes. He often sings in the chapel and projects a likable image while being evil behind the scenes. The contrast between his presentation and conduct is conflicting. As of the date of this writing, December 22, 2025, he is still teaching at the school, which is disturbing. Currently, he is the chair of the school's Social Studies department. His egotistical behavior places students' mental health at risk. Based on my experience, he is unfit to hold power over children. Parents should be diligent to protect their children from his manipulation. There are stronger private school options for academics and athletics. You should continue searching for better schools. Your child's future depends on it.

Our son has been attending Walther since he was in Kindergarten. Even though the lower school…read moreclosed and we transferred him, we always planned to enroll him into the middle school once he reached 6th grade. He is now a Freshman and we couldn't be happier. Great faculty, support staff, athletics, extracurricular activities, facilities and most important, the curriculum is rigorous and challenges students. We plan to stay until 2028, his expected graduation date. Please know that Financial aid is also available for those in need. I highly recommend Walther Christian Academy in Melrose Park, IL. It's a great day to be a Bronco Parent.

My wife and I looked at several daycares, and at home daycares, in the area for our 2 year old…read moredaughter. Kindercare care was clean, the staff seemed friendly and the hours were convenient for our work schedules. We thought we'd try it out and see how are daughter adjusted to the environment. Before moving to DG we had a nanny and we wanted her to have exposure to other children. It's been over a year now and we're very happy with the care our daughter has received. Our daughter loves going their each day and is learning a lot from their lesson plan. The staff is very proactive in addressing issues; though we have had very few. If a parent has a concern, they respond and follow up immediately. I don't agree that the staff are overwhelmed. With a classroom of 2 year olds it's going to be a bit noisy. But, the staff is great at settling the mood of the room. Since the first week, I have felt at ease and confident that my daughter is getting the best care possible. I highly recommend considering the DG Kindercare.

this is by far the worst kindercare you can enroll your kids, i do not recommend bringing ur kids…read morehere, they have so many lazy people and they are very unprofessional especially amber and dee. they don't have communication and when something happens to the kids they try to cover it up.

My son started going to Happy Bear at 4 months old as of last year in May 2020... right in the…read moremiddle of the COVID-19 pandemic. I choose this place because at the time Ms. Wendy was very thorough with her answers and explanation of center (compare to other centers) and at the time they also had a certified teacher in the infant room, which was one of the main reasons I choose this place. I was concern about how old the place looked; however, due to some COVID relief funding Mrs. Adriana has remodel the place and it looks amazing! Also due to COVID changes from DCFS and DHS, there has been a lot of staff changes because of the extra work that was required of staff which lead for many of them to leave including the certified teacher, who was there for 8 years, and Ms. Wendy who was there forever. It was probably a blessing in disguise, because, now, the newer daycare aides have stuck around for while and they are truly the best and very hard working and caring women. I am not sure if any of them are currently certified teachers, regardless, they care of our babies. I am so hands-on mom and would tell them do this and do that and they are really good and listening to my request. I also love how this daycare seems like a school. They are always teaching something new to the children, have holiday photo shoots, and parties for them. Their calendar is filled with activities as well for the infant rooms. They do their best to update photos on dojo and adhere to COVID rules. This place has been through a lot in the last year (both professionally and personally) but Mrs. Adriana works hard not to skip a beat. Daycare owners and aides do not get a lot of credit and this place deserves to get noticed. My son, who is now 13 months, gets so happy to go to school and gets very cheesy when he sees his teachers. That tells you a lot about this place. I highly recommend it!

We love this daycare! Clean and cozy center. They have a great team, experienced teachers who love…read morewhat they do. Friendly staff and all communicate very well. Our 13 month old has learned a ton in the few months he's been here. We would definitely recommend this daycare.

This is my second time staying at the Olive Branch Mission and I truly appreciate this place…read more Today is my last day here, I am moving into my new apartment and they have gone above and beyond to assist me with some of the things that I need. I am truly grateful for Olive Branch Mission and the staff.

Second Baptist Church Youth Ministry in Action: Partnering with Olive Branch Mission Second Baptist…read moreChurch of Harvey, Illinois, under the leadership of Pastor Darnell Bowles Sr., has a long standing commitment to serving the community. Our Youth Ministry has been especially active in outreach, taking every opportunity to put faith into action. Last year, 15 youth members, supported by adult volunteers, partnered with Olive Branch Mission to serve Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Together, we provided meals for nearly 100 residents, offering not just food, but encouragement and fellowship during the holiday season. This effort was an extension of our ongoing support for local shelters and programs that assist battered women, children, and families in need. We are excited to celebrate Olive Branch Mission's recent announcement of major infrastructure upgrades made possible through a city grant. As part of the Department of Family and Support Services' $40 million Shelter Infrastructure Initiative, Olive Branch Mission will create 32 non congregate rooms with private bathrooms for families, along with eight semi-private rooms. These improvements will bring greater privacy, dignity, and security to families experiencing homelessness. Led by Executive Director Katrina Coleman and supported by dedicated leaders like our own member, Geneice Randolph, Food Service Director Olive Branch Mission continues its 158-year legacy of providing hope and a safe haven to Chicago's most vulnerable populations. Second Baptist Church is honored to partner with such a vital organization and looks forward to continuing our youth-driven service in support of their mission. Together, we can build stronger families, stronger communities, and brighter futures Sincerely, Chris Cowns Youth Ministry Darnell Bowles, Sr. Pastor Second Baptist Church Harvey, Illinois

Always very nice and helpful with any questions Easy line…read moreto speak with customer service reps

My senior friends numbering 8 to 12 members play mahjongg at Community House and have been coming…read morehere for years. This year we have been asked to move to the foyer or to whatever room may be available as they rely on rentals for these rooms. We agreed and we have been playing where they tell us to go. We pay $2.00 and now are asked to sign in and pay the fee. Additionally, we always were given water and coffee, and are now told that would no longer receive free water or coffee. When several of our members complained about this, a call was made to one of our members that we were rude to their staff, and they are not going to put up with this. I believe The Community House is ignoring the elderly in their community and are actually forcing us out of this venue in favor of younger members. Why else deprive us of free water.