Absolutely one of the best places to bring your family. The staff and owner truly care about you…read moreand your children!

I loved this place! My mother enrolled me in Small Stride back in the 80s. I am now 38 and I still…read moreremember my time there. Great memories! Ms Harrison was my teacher and Mrs Beck was very nice. Ms Harrison treated me like her own and I always felt safe and taken care of. If I lived in Chicago my children would definitely be there at Small Stride. Belinda Marsaw Lowery

The school is run by a principal who lives in the neighborhood and who has children at the school,…read moreteachers that live in the neighborhood and have children at the school. The children who attend the school are from people who never left the neighborhood. If your child or you yourself are not from the neighborhood and do not drink the kool-aid you and your children will be treated poorly and graded poorly. The school does not encourage diversity, the staff is not diversified. The staff is comprised of mostly people from the area. Many parents are entitled police and fireman with the gangsta in a uniform mentality, which in turn the children mimic. This in turn makes the school environment hostile for children, who are learning intolerance for people different than them. Instead of being sensitive and aware of the problem, the leadership is more concerned about their hyper inflated ego and the fact responses are to conflict are threatening to you and your child's education. The best one I heard was "I am responsible for the largest school in the Archdiocese" and I personally, and I..I..I. No addressing situations that cause concern for your child. Just I..I..I. There are a few great teachers who do not deserve this review. There are others that I question their mental fitness to work with our youth. In one instance I questioned a grade for my child who loves school, and my child was torn down, made accusations against, and our family was torn down with my child. All for noticing a grading discrepancy. Don't expect anything less than South Side drama here.

Unbelievable school lead by competent staff and teachers. If you put in the effort and work hard…read moreyou will be rewarded. Highly recommended this great school.

My 2 year old & 3 year old love the Castle! My son now 7 also went there. Mrs. Sise & Mrs. Groah…read moreare so great. All of the teachers are very positive and so great with the kids. My 3 year old had a rough time going to school when he started, but everyone there made it so nice for him. They are very patient and I could not believe my son that is more on the quiet side came home & was able to say the Pledge after only a month in school! The castle always has great activities too. Lots of theme days, fun field trips and their concern for safety makes me feel they are very trustworthy. The drop off & pick up is great, especially if you have babies! Love this school!

Love The Beverly Castle Academy. My 4 year old son is attending his second year at the castle and…read morehe loves it. Small classes and two teachers to each class. Every holiday they have little activities for the parents to come to and Christmas and school pictures as well. The teachers are always waiting outside for you to pull up and help get the kids into school safely. They are always doing things that are just really special for parents. Last school year they had the parents come in on the last day of school and go over how your child did through the year and also gave us this big book that my sons teacher had been making over the past school year. There were little pieces of artwork that he made, photos of him playing with friends and being goofy, and pictures of us with him at his school activities. It was really touching. If you live in the Beverly area and have little ones, send them here. You won't regret it.

We have tried a number of different schools and styles, and P.L.A.I.D. Academy is the bomb! Our…read moreson has never flourished more than at P.L.A.I.D. At first the size put me off, but it is now one of my favorite aspects. Their attention and individualized approach is rivaled for best with their environment of universal RESPECT. Children are listened to but not coddled; encouraged but not pressured. The result is a happy and confident student who independently (finally!) wants to do and be his best. No homework fights. Seriously. We have found our forever school! Positive Learning in an Atmosphere of Individualized Development

When my wife and I first moved into the area, we were looking for the perfect fit for our preschool…read moreage child. We found it in PLAID! Since that time we sent all 3 of our children to this amazing school and each of them flourished in their own individual and special ways under the care and instruction of this incredible teaching team. The concept of learning styles being as unique as each of the children in their care is the obvious basis of the educational experience. My children were not one of many; they did not get lost in a sea of faces. Learning was a cooperative, hands-on experience that encouraged the development of the whole person. Learning is a POSITIVE experience at PLAID Academy. I'm grateful that we found PLAID Academy, not only did we find a place to jump start our children's enthusiasm for learning, we also found a family of educators that encouraged each of my kids to become the best people they could be.