I was a teacher in CPS (chicago public schools) for a long time. Over my dead body would I ever send a child of mine with special needs to cps. Minutes are frequently missed, not provided for. Sped teachers are pulled to be subs. Teachers run groups in hallways. It is a DISASTER. Do not do this. Move to a suburb or don't move to this are. Seriously. CPS has some good schools, but none of them are good for sped kids.

Do not put your child with special needs in Chicago public. Anywhere in Chicago public. They are notorious for being terrible for special needs. Some suburbs that are okay would be Evanston, Oak Park, Lombard.

We're relocating from Northern VA to Chicago this summer and have a 6 y/o child with severe ADHD-combined type, anxiety, and a host of behavioral and social issues. We've had a terrible experience with DS' current elementary school, his self-esteem has suffered a great deal, so we need to place him in a school with strong SN support services. We cannot afford private. I know Chicago is huge, and I'm casting a wide net here -- I just don't know where to begin. Would appreciate any insights. TIA!