After over a year of vigorous advocacy work to expand the school, Horizon Science Academy McKinley Park was granted a second campus for its high school programming starting next fall.
The Illinois State Board of Education State Superintendent, Dr. Tony Sanders, sent Concept Schools a letter on Jan. 13 stating its application to modify the school's charter agreement had been approved. HSA McKinley Park's current campus on Pershing Rd. will continue to be home for the school's K-8 students while the new high school campus (for grades 9-12) will be at Lourdes Hall on W 32nd Pl.
This is an enormous win for HSA McKinley Park and the Bridgeport community, who made it clear they were ready for a top-tier high school in their area.
"I really believe that this is going to change the community for the better,” Vedziovski said. “Within the two and a half mile vicinity (in Bridgeport), there’s no immediate high school. There’s a lot of elementary students but a lot of those families would have to send their children to a place that’s farther from their actual location. This high school is going to change everything because we’re bringing back a secondary education to the community.”
HSA McKinley Park has built a strong reputation in Chicago and across Illinois as one of the best K-12 schools in the state. As more and more families joined the waitlist to enroll their children at the school, HSA McKinley Park was ready to expand to a satellite campus. After ISBE provided feedback for what it needed to do to land the new location, the school hosted town hall meetings, community events and made a point to be present at ISBE’s board meetings.
HSA McKinley Park submitted another application and, in the end, its advocacy work was undeniable––leading to ISBE approving the school’s material modification application.
"This simply wouldn't have been possible without YOU – our engaged, thoughtful, and passionate HSA community," the school wrote on its Facebook page. "We are so grateful for all that you did to advocate for our school and this expansion."
HSA McKinley Park will be leveling up its high school programming when it officially launches its satellite campus. It will have larger classrooms and lockers, a stage for students to perform on and a laboratory for its Career Technical Education system (one half of the classroom is designed for lecture, the other half for lab).
A lot of energy was poured into making this dream a reality––and HSA McKinley Park is just getting started.
"We want to thank Tony Sanders and ISBE for all of their support and believing in us," Vedziovski said. "I feel like they understand we are a unique school and that we can make a difference here. Everyone here is dedicated and wants to serve our students. We look forward to continuing to spread our philosophy and give back to the community."