Chicago Academy High School Miranda De Young Chelsea

Conclusions Through our: ● walk ● research ● various interviews ● conversations somewhat of

Where we went. . . Portage Park Neighborhood

History of Portage Park ● Named from Native Americans ‘portaging’ canoes across the land

History of CAHS ● ● ● Building completed in 1930 junior high school until

Our Walk ● ● ● ● Bungalows Main Street - businesses (closed), Dog Stop,

CAHS College Prep Training Academy 32 Teachers Enrollment: 531 Demographics: o 54. 4% Hispanic

Key component of a quality school and community connection is parental involvement. Despite the

One instance of disconnect comes from CAHS’ selective enrollment ● Kids are pulled from

The racial and ethnic backgrounds of the student population does not reflect the percentages

Interviews Throughout the interviews with CAHS staff, a clear common theme of: Whether the

College Seminar course from sophomore to senior year with a Senior Seminar Internship The

While the school is improving in ACT scores, attendance, and graduation rates, the community

● Foreman and Steinmetz Academic Centre HS ● Both reflect neighborhood populations ● CAHS

● Limited parental involvement ● Not an abundance of afterschool activities involving community members

● Closed campus = limits adults from knowing students ● Demonstrated by Nadig ●

Even though there is a disconnect between the school and the community, the school

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Chicago Academy High School Miranda De Young Chelsea Moorman

Conclusions Through our: ● walk ● research ● various interviews ● conversations somewhat of a disconnect with the Portage Park community due to a ● misrepresentation of population ● lack of community and school programs.

Where we went. . . Portage Park Neighborhood

History of Portage Park ● Named from Native Americans ‘portaging’ canoes across the land ● Located between the Chicago and Des Plaines Rivers ● Inhabited by Native Americans until a treaty in 1816 ● 1845 - E. B. Sutherland build a home, inn, and tavern on Milwaukee Ave ● Annexed in 1889 ● Community park district founded in 1912 ● Park opened in 1916 (swimming, tennis courts, etc. ) ● Bungalows and two-flats ● Kennedy Expressway

History of CAHS ● ● ● Building completed in 1930 junior high school until 1933 elementary and high school branch for 2 years Wilbur Wright Junior College - 1934 1941 -1946: Navy offered training classes Wright College moved in 1993 CAHS opened in 2004 for just 9 th graders and as a training academy Added a class each subsequent year First class graduated in 2008 2007 - synthetic turn field added (can be rented) 2012 - multipurpose room added (community and school access)

Our Walk ● ● ● ● Bungalows Main Street - businesses (closed), Dog Stop, etc. . . Toured school Steinmetz HS Libraries Chamber of Commerce Portage Park Six Corners

CAHS College Prep Training Academy 32 Teachers Enrollment: 531 Demographics: o 54. 4% Hispanic o 21. 5% White ● Report Card Findings ● ● ●

Key component of a quality school and community connection is parental involvement. Despite the fact that CAHS has 91 percent parental involvement, ● the parents are not from the immediate community ● the connection is not within the bounds of Portage Park.

One instance of disconnect comes from CAHS’ selective enrollment ● Kids are pulled from outside community ● Application school ● Lottery system

The racial and ethnic backgrounds of the student population does not reflect the percentages present in the community ● School Census o 55% Hispanic ● Community Census o 52% White o 39% Hispanic

Interviews

Interviews Throughout the interviews with CAHS staff, a clear common theme of: Whether the librarian is visiting schools, the CAHS field is being rented out, or eating at the local Dog Stop, the reputation and prestige of CAHS precedes itself, which was most noted by George Borovik. ● unapologetic college prep education ● strong commitment to learning CAHS is about to celebrate ten years of bringing college and career preparation together.

College Seminar course from sophomore to senior year with a Senior Seminar Internship The internship’s mission is to help high school seniors “enhance their professional skills and clarify their sense of direction while helping community businesses and non-profit These businesses and institutions. ” institutions are found from all over the city

While the school is improving in ACT scores, attendance, and graduation rates, the community is recovering from the recession. Ted Szabo is turning over condos and says business is growing. The community has fluxed in demographics due to lack of major employers in the area and small businesses are starting to rebuild in the community.

● Foreman and Steinmetz Academic Centre HS ● Both reflect neighborhood populations ● CAHS is quarter size ● CAHS has a third of LEP students ● Does not reflect community population

● Limited parental involvement ● Not an abundance of afterschool activities involving community members ● Activities run by teachers or coaches ● Students ordered to leave campus if not participating ● Internship program - not local businesses

● Closed campus = limits adults from knowing students ● Demonstrated by Nadig ● Nadig reports on other neighboring schools, but not CAHS

Even though there is a disconnect between the school and the community, the school does connect to the students who are in attendance. Demonstrated through school wide murals, displayed student work, and prevalent school pride, CAHS works hard to build a safe and connected community within the school.