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COLUMBIA EXPLORERS

4628-4630 S KEDZIE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60632 · School

Inspection summary

COLUMBIA EXPLORERS has been inspected 13 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 2, 2016. The most recent inspection, on September 18, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

7 of 13 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 5 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Pests and Food temperature control.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their findings differently, so we group them by what they mean for your health. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are one of the main ways germs spread, from person to person and onto food and surfaces. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing their hands when required, and sick staff being kept away from work where it matters. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 6 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 11, 2026. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food, supplies and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 18, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Inspectors check that anything that has to be kept at a set temperature, such as chilled or hot food, or equipment like sterilizers, stays in its safe range and that accurate thermometers are on hand. With food, temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning.

    Recorded once on September 18, 2019. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be clean and in good repair, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate health risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 18, 2026. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Many jurisdictions require a trained or certified person on site, such as a certified food handler. These findings mean the training record or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean anything was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 5 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 18, 2019. For example: PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

13 inspections

  1. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • 6-202.15: OBSERVED OPENING AT BASE OF EXIT DOOR IN ROOM 503. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.11: OBSERVED DAMAGED WALL TO THE LEFT OF TOILET IN CLASSROOM 503. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR AND REPAINT SAID WALL FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT AND HOLES IN WALL ABOVE UTILITY SINK IN CLASSROOM 503. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR AND REPAINT SAID WALL FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
  2. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED IMPROPER MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 78.4-80.1F AT HANDWASHING SINKS IN MAIN BUILDING, OBSERVED IMPROPER MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURES AT TWO HANDWASHING SINKS IN PREP AREA AND ALL STUDENT AND STAFF WASHROOMS IN MAIN BUILDING. INSTRUCTED A HANDWASHING SINK SHALL BE EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE WATER AT A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 100F THROUGH A MIXING VALVE OR COMBINATION FAUCET. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OPENING AT BASE OF EXIT DOOR IN ROOM 503. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DAMAGED WALL TO THE LEFT OF TOILET IN CLASSROOM 503. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR AND REPAINT SAID WALL FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT AND HOLES IN WALL ABOVE UTILITY SINK IN CLASSROOM 503. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR AND REPAINT SAID WALL FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
  3. Canvass

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    0 infractions

  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED TIMED FAUCETS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY IN SOUTHWEST STAFF AND CHILDREN WASHROOMS NEAR EXIT #20. WATER MUST RUN CONTNUOUSLY FOR AT LEAST 15 SECONDS BEFORE REACTIVATING FAUCET.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT # ON9-12-22.53-MUST PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE IN ALL UNISEX RESTROOMS, MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090
  7. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MUST PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE IN ALL UNISEX RESTROOMS, MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND ITEMS STORED ON RESTROOM FLOOR IN CLASSROOMS 503, 501, & 500; CLASSROOM 504 CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE ITEMS AT LEAST 6" OFF FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND STAINED CEILING TILES IN 504 CLASSROOM, AND RESTROOM OF 500 CLASSROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  8. Canvass

    0 infractions

  9. Canvass

    0 infractions

  10. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO PRESON IN CHARGE AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVEDNO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON PREMISES WHEN FOOD IS BEING SERVED(TEACHERS ARE MAKING THE CHILDRENS PLATES). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES FOR CLEANING UP VOMIT OR DIARRHEA ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HANDSINKS IN CLASSROOMS WHERE FOOD IS BEING HANDLED AND SERVED TO CHILDREN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDSINKS WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE IN SAME AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C), NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS TO CHECK FOOD TEMPERATURE WHEN DELIVERED, AND BEFORE SERVING, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 61. SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
      • OBSERVED NO SUMARY REPORT ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO DISPLAY AND VISBLE TO THE PUBLIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-010(B), NO CITATION ISSUED.
  11. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (PIZZA, CHICKEN, ETC). INSTD TO HAVE ON DUTY ALL TIMES FOOD IS BEING HANDLED, SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY IN PLACE FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • NO HANDSINKS IN CLASSROOMS WHERE FOOD IS BEING HANDLED AND SERVED TO CHILDREN. INSTD TO PROVIDE HANDSINKS WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE IN SAME AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030C
  12. Canvass

    0 infractions

  13. Canvass

    0 infractions

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