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John H Vanderpoel Elementary Magnet School

CPS choice · K-8

CPS-published· verified Oct 2026

At a glance

14% of students were chronically absent in 2025 - below what's typical for CPS elementary schools (ISBE Report Card 2025). Family involvement was rated ‘Strong’ on the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages). Adjusted for low-income share, results sit in the lower quarter of CPS schools with published IAR results (adjusted view, disclosed method - ISBE Report Card 2025). In 2025–26, 113 applications were recorded for 28 offers (GoCPS, 2025–26 school year - the most recent seat data SchoolNav has).

Academic fit
Instruction was rated ‘Strong’ on the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages). On the 5Essentials survey, school leadership was rated ‘Weak’ and teacher collaboration was rated ‘Weak’.
Social-emotional fit
There is 1 school counselor per 124 students (ISBE Report Card 2025). 52% of students with IEPs spend most of the school day in general classrooms - about what's typical for CPS elementary schools.

Computed from published data with its source and year on every clause - a description, never a grade. How the adjusted view works

Basics

CPS-published · verified Nov 2024

Address
9510 S PROSPECT AVE
Neighborhood
Beverly
Phone
(773)535-2690
Hours
Unknown - not verified yet
Website
http://www.vhaelementary.org/
Before and after care

Supplemental care not found.

SchoolNav searched the school’s website and the main care providers’ pages in Sep 2026 and found no before or after care. Some programs are never posted online, so ask the school office or on a tour.

Arts and creative

Fundamentals/Theory of Music, Student Art Club, Graphic Design, Percussion, Student Music Club, Art Studio, Dance, Musicals, Photography, Talent Show, Choir/Chorus, Drama, Piano/Keyboard

From the school’s CPS profile, for the 2026-27 school year. Checked Sep 2026. Offerings change each year, so confirm on a tour.

Sports

Cheerleading, Girls' Volleyball, Chess, Boys' Basketball, Girls on the Run, Girls' Cross Country, Basketball, Dance, Boys' Cross Country, Volleyball

From the school’s CPS profile, for the 2026-27 school year. Checked Sep 2026. Offerings change each year, so confirm on a tour.

Climate survey
Involved families
Strong
Supportive environment
Neutral
Ambitious instruction
Strong
Effective leaders
Weak
Collaborative teachers
Weak
Safety (student-reported)
Neutral
Overall organization
Moderately Organized

UChicago 5Essentials levels from the spring 2024 survey (CPS Progress Reports SY2425, verified 2026-09-25) - benchmarked categories relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages. A school can answer mostly positively and still rate below the benchmark typical.

5Essentials - the latest survey in detail

Human & Social Resources in the Community, Safety, and Parent Supportiveness are rated above the CPS average this year.

From the 2026 CPS 5Essentials survey (25-26). Scores are benchmarked 1–99 (not percentages) - higher is stronger, and each is shown against the CPS average that same year. This is a newer survey on a different benchmark than the component levels above, so the two aren’t directly comparable.

Show all measures ▸

Ambitious Instruction

91 ▲ above the CPS average (56)

Supportive Environment

99 ▲ above the CPS average (51)

Collaborative Teachers

80 ▲ above the CPS average (52)

Effective Leaders

78 ▲ above the CPS average (52)

Involved Families

88 ▲ above the CPS average (53)

Supplemental measures

Additional survey topics UChicago reports outside the five core measures.

CPS-published · verified Jul 2026Response rates: students 92%, teachers 83%, parents 0%Full 2026 measures report (UChicago)

UChicago Consortium — the 2026 cycle (school year 25-26) is re-benchmarked to spring 2024 (SY25+); it is NOT level-comparable to the spring-2013-benchmarked component levels shown elsewhere.

Programs (1)

ProgramEntry gradesHow seats are offeredTest requiredEvidence

Fine & Performing Arts

Magnet

K–8Lottery
NoCPS-published · verified Oct 2026

Local School Council

CPS-published· verified Oct 2026

The Local School Council is a group of parents, staff, and neighbors who help run this school. They vote on the budget and the school plan. Their meetings are open to the public, so you can go and listen.

Next meetings

CPS has not posted any upcoming meetings for this council yet.

CPS lists the date and time. Ask the school office where the meeting will be held.

Members for 2026 to 2028

  • Jason M Davis · Principal
  • Crystal COLLINS · Parent
  • Kenneth Parnell · Parent
  • Melissa Lyons · Parent
  • Takelia Walker · Parent
  • Tynesha Collins Parker · Parent
  • Andre Walton · Parent
  • Lisa Myles · Community member
  • Andrew Sanders · Community member
  • Kimberly Donson · Teacher
  • Elizabeth Roberts · Teacher
  • Rick Williams · School staff (non-teaching)

CPS keeps the official list of council meetings and members. See the CPS council list.

Parent questions & conversation

What parents and people who know this school are asking, answering, and talking about - their own words, experiences and opinions rather than verified facts.

Parent notes on this school are visible to signed-in Chicago families. Sign in to read and ask.

SchoolNav is not affiliated with CPS. Details change - each fact above shows when it was last verified. Application decisions should always be confirmed in GoCPS.