ROSELAND — After four years at the helm, the principal at Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep is stepping down.
D’Andre Weaver posted a video to students and parents explaining that he and his family were moving to Houston. His last day at the school at 250 E. 111th St. is June 30.
“This decision to move did not come lightly, and certainly was not as a result of anything going on in our city or state,” Weaver said. “It’s something our family has been contemplating for quite some time now.”
The selective-enrollment school has the highest ranking a school can get on the five-point CPS system. There are 833 students.
Weaver said in the video that the students had a “fantastic year” and that the last four were just as great.
More than 50 CPS principals have announced they were retiring or leaving CPS this year, but Weaver said his decision to leave was not made out of frustration.
He said he is confident that the school is in good hands because there’s strong internal leadership that will rise and continue the work he started.
Weaver grew up on Chicago's Southeast side, and lived a few blocks from Brooks for two years during his childhood, according to his bio. He attended Joseph Warren Elementary, Countee Cullen Elementary and Morgan Park High School.
Students on Twitter expressed their feelings about their principal moving on.
@Brooks_MrWeaver You're leaving? Oh no, man. This actually really hurts. We're going to miss you❤
— Goner. (@Aubra_Kins_) June 20, 2016
Nothing but love and respect for Mr. Weaver RT @Brooks_MrWeaver: Thank you for the memories; I'll always Bleed Blue. https://t.co/YQiBnDpHw6
— Brooks Counseling (@BrooksPrepCSL) June 20, 2016
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