I spent many years as a CPS parent before I ever started talking with clients about Chicago schools.
My oldest attended CPS from kindergarten through graduation, and my triplets attended from second grade through graduation. All four of my kids went to Bell School, where I volunteered as a room mom and served on the inclusion, allergy and fundraising committees. Two of my kids later attended Lane Tech, where I helped with early fundraising efforts, supported Friends of Lane, worked on the Football Booster Club Ad Book and served on the PTSO.
Being that involved gave me a much better understanding of what makes a school community feel strong.
You Learn a Lot by Being Involved
When you volunteer at a school, you see what does not show up in a ranking.
You see how engaged parents are, how teachers are supported, how events come together, how people rally around programs and how much of a community exists outside the classroom.
One of my favorite examples is the Lane Tech Football Booster Club Ad Book. I was part of a group of five parents who helped get it started when the football team was using old helmets and uniforms. Honestly, they looked a little like the Bad News Bears.
We dressed the players in their gear and dropped them off throughout the North Side to visit local businesses and ask them to purchase ads. The fundraising helped replace uniforms, equipment and much more, and the Ad Book continues today.
Experiences like that showed me how much people can accomplish when they are invested in a school.
Fundraising Showed Me How Much Community Matters
I spent a lot of time fundraising at Bell and Lane Tech, while also supporting Whitney Young High School.
Those experiences gave me a real appreciation for how much work goes into the programs, athletics, events and opportunities people sometimes take for granted.
One of our first Lane Tech fundraising events was at The Village Tap in Roscoe Village, and about 30 people attended. Today, the Lane Tech Gala attracts close to 1,000 people and has become an important fundraising event for the school.
Watching that grow over the years has shown me what can happen when people continue to show up and support a school community.
It Changed the Way I Talk About Schools With Buyers
When buyers ask me about schools, I do not just think about test scores or online ratings.
I think about the culture, parent involvement, programs, opportunities and whether the school feels like a place where people are genuinely invested.
That is why I encourage buyers to visit schools and take tours themselves. At the Cindi Sodolski Group, we also attend school tours so we can continue learning about the programs and opportunities different Chicago schools offer.
When I tour a school, I pay attention to the tone of the teachers and principal, how the students interact and, quite honestly, how many smiles I see.
Each school has its own strengths. Some may have particularly strong art, music or language programs, while others may offer unique conservation projects, athletics or other opportunities.
That knowledge also matters when I am representing sellers. Understanding the schools surrounding a listing helps me better understand the questions buyers may have about the neighborhood.
Why This Still Matters in Real Estate
Real estate is personal.
People are not only choosing a house. They are deciding where they want to spend their time, what kind of community they want around them and what matters most in their everyday life.
My years volunteering in Chicago schools gave me a perspective I still use today when helping buyers make those decisions.
I know firsthand that a school is much more than a number on a website. The people, programs, opportunities and sense of community can make a lasting difference.
