Pilgrim Lutheran School

I have two children who attended Pilgrim for their entire PK-8th grade schooling. Both had amazing experiences, especially during middle school when so many kids struggled. The small classes allow for a lot of attention, which was especially important for our youngest. Our oldest son attends Northside College Prep, and many of his initial classes were reviews of what he had already learned in 8th grade. With curricular specialists, each subject has a high level of learning, and we couldn't be happier with our experience, both academically and socially. There are also service projects where the kids are actually involved, partnerships between older and younger kids (buddies), and many extracurriculars, particularly in a school this size.

Pilgrim Lutheran School is a wonderful school! Our kids attended from Pre-k thru 8th and are going to excellent high schools! The environment is very caring and they offer a high quality education. The older kids partner with the KG and Pre-K kids and are very kind and thoughtful to the younger ones. The main reason we chose Pilgrim was the high number of students going on to selective enrollment high schools in the city. Pilgrim really prepares its students for the future. Another reason we chose Pilgrim is that it has many extra activities for the kids, particularly a band program which was important to us. (It was frustrating that our neighborhood CPS school didn't offer band) The after-care program is terrific the best! The also have an early birds program if you need it. The school is very inclusive and nurturing. We are not Lutheran but, Pilgrim is welcoming of everyone.Do not be detracted by the smallness of the school. There is a lot going on academically, atheletically and socially.

Pilgrim is such a warm, welcoming, inclusive community. We have two children at the school and it has been such a great place for our kids to thrive and receive personalized attention that they were not getting at CPS previously. The class sizes are small (under 20), I love the project-based curriculum that allows for kids' creativity and intellectual curiosity to flourish, and the social-emotional learning that all grades receive with the full-time social worker is so wonderful and needed in these pandemic times! When we were considering whether or not to send our kids to Pilgrim, the small size was initially a concern, but after being here for 2 years now, it has proven to be an incredible asset - all the kids know each other in the various grades, I feel like my kids are in a safe, caring environment where everyone looks out for each other. One of my children identifies as LGBTQ and the teachers/administrators have been so proactive, kind, and caring advocates for my child all along the way. I really feel like Pilgrim is a hidden gem in the city.

Pilgrim School has been such a huge blessing for our family! We have had at least one child attending Pilgrim for at least 10 years now. Pilgrim is a very positive, academically excellent, and nurturing community that sets up students for success! The teachers are fantastically experienced, focused on instruction, and dedicated. They do a great job focusing on each student through their "whole child" approach and we love their emphasis on service learning. Our kids have also grown spiritually and the social-emotional components woven into the curriculum have been very beneficial. If you are looking for a school, we highly recommend Pilgrim!

Having a child here for 11 years has been the best decision we've made for school. Over the years, my child was nurtured, encouraged, and challenged to reach their highest potential. My son will be moving to the North Side this year and I know this will be a big change but I'm thankful he had this school experience.

This school has been a refuge from the lack of attention that my kids received in their neighborhood CPS school. The teachers are engaged, creative and resourceful and teach to the individual. Pilgrim also recognizes and supports learning differences and makes room for kids to learn in a way that suits their needs. I wish we had made the switch earlier but I am grateful for the gains I have seen in the past year and look forward to seeing my children's continued growth.

Pilgrim is a nurturing community devoted to educating every child. The small classes (one class of 18-20 per grade) allows for personalized attention. A rigorous academic program that never feels rigorous because of the supportive teachers.

Pilgrim is an awesome school... from the small class sizes, to the rigorous academics, to the supportive community of parents... it has been a perfect atmosphere in the city for my kids