Unfortunately, this school has gone downhill significantly. It feels like many of the good teachers…read morehave left, and the overall quality and professionalism have declined. Communication is a major issue -- emails often go unanswered, messages left with the main office don't get returned.

I spent the second half of my grade school years here, before it was called an Academy. Back in…read morethe day it was just John H. Vanderpoel (poel pronounced pool) elementary school, which served grades K-8. No middle school back then, and grade school to high school was a big jump. No buses then, either. We walked to school. In the dead of winter, we walked. It wasn't far for me, though, about 5 blocks down quiet streets lined with huge trees. We lived next-door to my grandparents, who had lived in Beverly since before my mother was born, so I'm thinking my mom went to Vanderpoel, too, but I can't remember for sure. But I do remember the school, a 3-story old brick building that included swings on the playground. I remember my teachers, I remember the gym that doubled as an auditorium, I remember my classmates. The school was named after John H. Vanderpoel (in 1910?) as was Vanderpoel Ave., the street behind the school. John Vanderpoel, born in 1857 in the Netherlands, was an influential artist and taught at the Art Institute of Chicago for 20 years beginning in 1880. Georgia O'Keeffe was one of his students. She praised him as a teacher. Vanderpoel's book, "The Human Figure", was published in 1907. BOY could he draw in pencil & charcoal. Until 1929, his works were housed in the school, then moved to nearby Ridge Park Field House & displayed in the art gallery named after him. Vanderpoel School is indeed part of Beverly's rich history & I loved it there. I loved my neighborhood, my friends, my school, and the simplicity of growing up back in the day (not saying how long ago but it was....long ago). I still have many of my grade school papers & projects. Wow, so different from the work kids do today. Example: a geography project for a state (or country?) that exported cotton. In addition to a written essay, I glued a hunk of cotton to one of the pages. I got an "E" for excellent, no "A" back then at this school. My favorite class: art. I also took kiddie art classes at the Art Institute & then majored in Fine Art in college. I went on to have an art gallery in a Chicago suburb. I'm guessing Mr. Vanderpoel would like that. I'm guessing I would have liked Mr. Vanderpoel.

I am a current student at MPA. MPA gives away a fifty percent scholarship in addition to a 2nd…read moreplace of a 25 percent scholarship, and then a third place scholarship in five different areas. Add that on to substantial financial aid, and MPA really does give a lot of money to students, the vast majority, in fact, that don't go to Morgan Park Academy. I am the recipient of one of the scholarships, and went to public school my entire life previously. I come from a working class home, I have a job. On behalf of all the other parents, my mother apologizes for picking her child up from school. A long standing MPA tradition is called Service Day. The entire upper school picks a project, usually in Beverly, but there have been projects at the various Museums, and public schools a bit further away and spends a day working there. Past trips include Washington and Jane Smith Village, Clissold, local churches, Park Forest, a home for mentally disabled people, and the annual senior trip to clean up the Dan Ryan Woods. Funny, a favorite memory of MPA students and alums is being chased by our groundskeeper, Richie on his snowblower. He can be seen working at six AM the day directly after a snow. Morgan Park Academy is really not the neighborhood monster, in fact I've never heard Anyone speak of it like that, unless you're a senior suffering from acute senioritis that is. =D. Having been around for 125, I don't think it's going anywhere, so why don't you come in for a visit and check it out?

MPA is a awesome school no matter what anyone says I'm a Student there the teachers are so nice and…read morethe staff is also nice it has a very nice look and there is no Bully's there everyone is super nice. I really recommend Morgan Park Academy

Wonderful staff at this iconic school that has been around since 1905. Absolutely the best all…read moreyoung men school on the South Side of Chicago. Alumni are located throughout Chicagoland and across the US. We are all forever RitaMen.

Really like these old-fashioned, single-gender schools where the kids can focus more on academics…read moreand athletics, and not have to worry about how they look and dress for the opposite sex...there is enough time for that elsewhere. This school has been around for over 100 years, so you know they have proven themselves...you don't last that long unless you bring results. Academically: the school has loads of AP course offerings, all the STEM subjects one could wish for, and a reputation for getting kids prepared for college...this includes having their own library, auditorium, and computer labs. Athletically: they usually star in baseball, football, and basketball...probably in that order, although it can change from year to year. For example, they won a couple of state championships in wrestling a few years ago, so if you have a son who excels in a particular sport, don't be afraid to bring him here to learn more...he will. In extra-curriculars: they have scores of clubs and activities...some competitive such as chess and scholastic bowl, and some not competitive such as theater...and they also have a renowned band program. Facilities wise: they have a standout football field and practice field (they usually arrange to have the neighboring grammar schools play on their field). They also have their own baseball field, basketball gym, weight room, and swim pool for the swim teams on site. They don't take a second seat in the facilities category. All in all this is a institution on the south side of Chicago. They remained for 85 years at one location (on 63rd Street just east of Western Avenue) and for the last 28 years have been on a 30-some acre campus at 77th & Western Avenue. This place is for real...go visit and decide for yourself...give it a chance, we did.

as a student myself I love it its nice,clean,good food and I've never had to worry Abt bein bulliedread more

Awesome school! Friendly secretaries, Ms. Harris & Ms. Pulliam. Students were walking in single…read morefile lines. PE Teacher was having students playing volleyball! Very fun! School seems to be very clean! For a Public School in a diverse community SD132 is able to keep the school very organized!

Wow gorgeous neighborhood beautiful gym and great sportsmen ship extremely clean is an old fashion…read moreCatholic Church Huge brick walls and wonderful wooden floors I love it here Christ the king screaming eagles

My son is a senior at Brother Rice. He began freshman year was put in all honors classes and played…read morefootball. He became a member of many clubs and received a great education.

Typical good ole boys environment--I was thinking of enrolling my son but I was alarmed at the lack…read moreof diversity. I felt they were just interested my son because of his athletic ability. They seemed phony and out of touch.

I'm a McAuley mom, but I admit I had serious misgivings when my daughter--after shadowing at a…read morenumber of other schools--insisted that she felt McAuley was "exactly right." McAuley was our rival school (I'm an AOL grad) and was, back in the day, noted for being snobby, clique-ish, and "fast." (But one never says nice things about one's rival, does one?) My main concern was that McA was so BIG and I felt--from hearsay--that its athletics program was its focus and my budding actress/writer/academic nerd would be lost. I am happy to say that I was WRONG. My daughter immediately found a group of very nice kids who were also grade-conscious. The drama dept (and this is coming from a Longwood alum, now-closed Longwood having had an A-one drama dept. for generations) put on professional productions. My daughter was nurtured and challenged and she found mentors who truly cared about helping her meet her goals, including a close friendship with a retired Sister of Mercy who has been a great emotional support to her. She loved every minute of her high school experience. Best of all, for my husband and me, is that McAuley reinforced our Roman Catholic values. Our daughter was given service opportunities and got a lot out of her Kairos retreat. The theology department is traditional in the best sense of the word: they demonstrate to the students how to live as followers of Christ. My daughter thrived at McAuley. She got into the college of her choice, and is starting this next phase of her life with humor, self-confidence and optimism. I am sorry that one of the other reviewers had such a bad experience at McA. I know that since she attended, the administration has changed, so maybe a lot of graduates made the same complaints which the new staff/admin has tried to address. But at least the reviewer will have some insight when she helps her children pick a school. I hope her kids have the same experience my daughter had, albeit at a different school.

I'm well out of high school but I still look back bitterly at this school. My parents have actually…read moreapologized for sending me to this school. McAuley claims to teach women how to be independent but it does the opposite. The girls are told they don't need men for anything! Well, except to go to prom..then you need a male date. The school is much more concerned with their image than they are with the students. Yay volleyball! What about academics?

I recommend this high school because it's well put together and teachers teach high Curriculum. I…read moream currently waiting for my results to attend but so far my research has been good on this school.

I like cheese and I like cheesecake and I like cheesecake and corn bread.and I feel like this…read moreschool is very nice for kids ages 2-5 and that orange is like apple juice but is is orange