About Waters Elementary School

Waters Elementary School is a level 1+ rated neighborhood elementary school, with magnet cluster programs specializing in fine and performing arts, ecology, and technology. The school is 110 years old located on the northwest side of Chicago. It started as a single three story red brick building around a nondescript lot. Before the school was constructed, the Chicago river was moved west to provide space.

Waters it’s a fine arts school where arts integration is a critical part of a typical day. The school has a diverse population of students, although diversity has been in decline since the last 10 years. 

With the neighborhood community being a strong grass roots community, changes of the school has come primarily from the teachers and parents. 

The school has a strong environmental focus and art field house. The school has an edible garden where families from the community can get a plot and grow their own crops. The oak trees in the garden are over 300 years old. 

The school’s community also got rid of the asphalt to get better rain drainage for the community. Rain water goes directly into the soil and in aquifers with the new playground that is surrounded by plants and flowers. 

Other parts that we love about the school:

• Benches: each colorful bench represents the season of the year.

• Murals: there are murals nearly at each entrance of the school created by CAPE, Mrs. Veccioni, Juan Chavez, and other students.