Pilgrim Lutheran School

We have been at Pilgrim for three years now and couldn’t be happier. The community of this school consisting of teachers, staff, and parents is truly focused on an education that is targeted at the individual child’s needs, skills, and talents. The reason that Pilgrim is able to do this is their very small class sizes combined with their highly experienced teachers. For instance, my sons’s kindergarten class is about half the size of a typical CPS class and has both a teacher and an aide. Additionally, the school’s students have been extremely successful getting into the elite area high schools including Northside College Prep, Jones, Whitney Young, etc.
If you are looking for a great place for your son or daughter to grow this is it!

We just moved our son this year to Pilgrim, and we couldn’t be happier. The teachers have a love of teaching that shows through. They get excited about what they are teaching and in turn, gets my son excited. My son used to say he hated school, something that was so hard to hear, but I NEVER hear this anymore. He loves it there.
I also see a happiness in him that is hard to describe. I see him smiling, laughing and being himself. I think it comes from feeling safe to be himself and not fear being teased. The teachers do not tolerate meanness, and work to develop the children’s character. Its a school filled with really nice kids that are confident in themselves, that in turn allow others to grow in confidence in themselves. I’m extremely impressed and very pleased with the school.

I have had 2 children of mine attend & graduate Pilgrim over the years from Pre-​K through 8^th grade. Pilgrim is solid educational alternative to both the CPS and the Catholic school programs in Chicago. Maintaining small class sizes 12 – 16 students per grade, the teachers provide a rich and caring environment for students throughout their education. A strong family oriented Parent community enriches the school by supporting additional extra-​curricular activities for students. Majority of students continue on to TOP Chicago public and private High Schools, I have watched multiple classes of graduates going to Northside, Whitney Young, Payton, Lane, Latin, Francis Parker. I’ve also seen some of those students continue on and matriculate from colleges such as Univ of Illinois, University of Minnesota, Purdue, DePaul, Northwestern, NYU, and Stanford.
Pros —
Small class sizes
Solid Extra-​curricular options
High Academic Standards with significant support services when necessary!
Tradition of success
Affordable tuition
Cons —
Limited parking near school ;-)

Pilgrim Lutheran School is a special place that strives for both academic excellence and a caring heart. The highly experienced teachers look for creative ways to challenge students. My son graduated from Pilgrim well prepared for Lane Tech academically but also with understanding of serving others. In addition to strong academics, My two daughters (grades 7 & 5) participate in sports teams, choir, band and chapel. There is a friendly community of families and parents are encouraged to volunteer.

We have a son who just transitioned this year to the PK4 classroom. And to say we are pleased is an understatement. To find a school where the teachers truly care, where teachers know what is going on with each student, where the current class size is under 15, is remarkable. In addition this school is a great value.
We had our son in a Montessori preschool previously, and while we liked it, it wasn’t perfect for him. As we knew, it was very work focused, but this didn’t mesh well after several years for our son. We found him to be much more play focused. And while they play, it all ties in to their themes. Pilgrim has been a great fit. In addition to the level of academic rigor, we know we can keep him here through junior high; thus ensuring that we don’t need to work through the selective enrollment craziness.
This is not a school in a glitzy new facility, but what it is, is good, values driven education, with great dedicated teachers, and a community that is accepting of all. In my mind that is a find.

Pilgrim Lutheran School (PreK-​8) is a hidden gem in the city, located in the heart of a residential neighborhood on Cullom and Winchester. We have two daughters (3^rd grade and Kindergarten) who have both attended since preschool. I cannot say enough about the excellent, experienced teachers, who manage to provide the highest level of education in such a warm and nurturing environment. It is amazing how well the teachers know each student (not just the ones in their classroom) and how much they care for them as individuals.
Pilgrim also partners older students with younger students, which paves the way for them to move to the upper grades with confidence. Additionally, nearly 75 percent of graduates who applied were accepted into selective-​enrollment high schools. By the time the students graduate, they are not only well-​prepared for high school, but also to be compassionate leaders in the community.

Pilgrim is a caring, nurturing and safe environment for our 2 kids. We’ve been parents of Pilgrim students for 9 years now, starting in early childhood 3 year old program up through junior high. The classes are small, the teachers are dedicated, experienced and they genuinely care for our children. The older children become leaders and chapel partners for the younger ones. From the play-​based learning approach in early childhood to the upper grades academic challenges, the school educates the whole child and I feel strongly that our children will be well prepared for high school when the time comes.