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National Teachers Elementary Academy

CPS choice · PK,K-8

CPS-published· verified Oct 2026

At a glance

On the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages), family involvement was rated ‘Very Strong’ and instruction was rated ‘Strong.’ The state's 2025 summative designation is Targeted - ISBE has identified the school for additional support (ISBE Report Card 2025). In 2025–26, 215 applications were recorded for 3 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 ‘Strong’ and teacher collaboration was rated ‘Strong’.
Social-emotional fit
There is 1 school counselor per 399 students (ISBE Report Card 2025). 53% 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.

Basics

CPS-published · verified Nov 2024

Address
55 W CERMAK RD
Neighborhood
Near South Side
Phone
(773)534-9970
Hours
Unknown - not verified yet
Website
https://ntacourage.org
Before and after care

Before care from 7:00 AM. After care until 6:00 PM. Run by Right At School. After care costs $288 a month for 5 days a week.

From the program’s own page. Checked Sep 2026. Hours, prices and space change, so confirm with the school.

Arts and creative

Drawing, Painting, Plays/Acting, Step Dance, Theater, Band/Orchestra, Murals, Student Music Club, Art Studio, Dance, Talent Show, Web Design, Drama, Mixed Media, 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, Football, Pom-Pon, Step Dance, Wrestling, Chess, Fast Pitch, Baseball, Girls on the Run, Running, Basketball, Girls on Track, Soccer, 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
Very Strong
Supportive environment
Neutral
Ambitious instruction
Strong
Effective leaders
Strong
Collaborative teachers
Strong
Safety (student-reported)
Weak
Overall organization
Well 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

English Instruction and Quality Professional Development are rated above the CPS average; Teacher-Teacher Trust, School Safety, and Student Peer Relationships are rated below it 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

55 ▬ about the CPS average (56)

Supportive Environment

37 ▼ below the CPS average (51)

Collaborative Teachers

42 ▼ below the CPS average (52)

Effective Leaders

49 ▬ about the CPS average (52)

Involved Families

50 ▬ about the CPS average (53)

Supplemental measures

Additional survey topics UChicago reports outside the five core measures.

CPS-published · verified Jul 2026Response rates: students 95%, teachers 84%, 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.

Pre-K

CPS-published· verified Sep 2026

This school has Pre-K. Families apply for Pre-K through Chicago Early Learning, not GoCPS.

  • Full-day Pre-K · for children age 4

    Seats: full, with a waitlist, as of Sep 24, 2026.

Quality rating
ExceleRate Silver Circle of Quality

Apply through Chicago Early Learning · How Pre-K applications work

Programs (1)

ProgramEntry gradesHow seats are offeredTest requiredEvidence

Open Enrollment (general program, seats by lottery)

Open enrollment

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

  • Monday, November 16, 2026 at 3:30 PM
  • Monday, January 11, 2027 at 3:30 PM
  • Monday, February 8, 2027 at 3:30 PM

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

Members for 2026 to 2028

  • Teneka J Brooks · Principal
  • KAREN MURTAGH · Parent
  • Lisa Hudson · Parent
  • Victoria Earsery · Community member
  • Naamonde Williams · Teacher
  • Yoko Wimby · Teacher
  • Emily Mariano · Education expert

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.