CHICAGO – Since 2013, Horizon Science Academy McKinley Park has built a reputation for taking care of its community. Today, it was the community that rallied together to support the school they love.
HSA McKinley Park students and staff members, community leaders and charter school advocates packed the most recent Illinois State Board of Education meeting to make their case for why the board should approve the school’s bid to relocate its high school programming to a nearby satellite campus and increase its enrollment cap. As a K-12, non-selective charter school, HSA is ready to move its high schoolers into their own building so K-8 students may have increased access to science labs at the current location and 9-12th graders can have their own space to grow as budding future leaders.
Alderperson Nicole Lee of the 11th ward has been a strong advocate for the school’s efforts to expand and delivered a passionate three-minute speech to the board.
“Horizon Science Academy came to me a year ago and I can say, without question, that they have been committed to a community-oriented process,” said Lee. “I will just tell you that, without question, I'm in full support of the expansion of their charter for the bifurcation from the elementary school to the high school, and that this is something we absolutely need.”
HSA McKinley Park, which is widely regarded as one of the city’s best public schools, is seeking to sublease Lourdes Hall at 1040 W 32nd Place from the Archdiocese of Chicago. The campus is currently vacant after De La Salle High School, which still maintains the property, moved to a new facility in 2015. With nearly 200 students on its enrollment waiting list, HSA has outgrown its current building and wants to give the community a fresh high school option to send their children.
Over the last year, the school has spent countless hours connecting with 11th ward residents to explain why it's necessary to have a high school campus nearby. HSA McKinley Park has hosted town hall meetings, participated in community events, and has mapped out a comprehensive plan on how it would transition its high school programming to Bridgeport.
As Concept Schools’ Chief Growth and Communications Officer Dr. Chris Murphy said during the meeting, HSA McKinley Park has submitted a “bulletproof application” to the board.
“HSA McKinley Park has worked hard over the past two years to build relationships with local civic organizations, the Archdiocese, residents and elected officials,” said Murphy. “We've heard a common refrain: Chicago's 11th Ward and surrounding community needs another free and public high school option.”
Parents of HSA’s students have seen what the school has done for their children and want other families to have access to the same high-quality education. However, they know that education can improve by establishing a separate school culture at a new campus. This would also allow HSA to expand its sports programming, clubs, and College Pathways and Career and Technical Education programs.
Multiple parents trudged through Chicago’s inclemency to make it to the meeting and detailed why they strongly favor HSA’s expansion.
“The way (HSA has) set up the logistics and be as creative as they are, my children have excelled,” said one parent. “Everything is set up to move the school, which is limited (in space), to a higher level. That’s why we whole-heartedly support Horizon Science Academy to be given this opportunity to continue to do the things they have done.”
Elected officials, 11th ward residents, current and former HSA students and community members made clear to ISBE they are in full support of the school splitting its high school and middle school programming. One HSA student hopes the board heeds the simple message that was clearly sent today by the school’s community.
“We are ready for this.”