LINCOLN PARK — Before school starts on Tuesday in Chicago, here's everything you need to know about Lincoln Park, Old Town and Near North Side schools going into the new year.
Lincoln Park High School, 2001 N. Orchard St.: Chicago Magazine recently ranked the neighborhood high school the 10th best in the city.
Plus, the school might be getting $20 million in improvements that would include revamping the former Near North Career Metropolitan Career High School's overgrown field, according to a secret list of possible construction projects obtained by WBEZ. In an email, Principal Michael Boraz said there are "no plans to discuss re-construction beyond [the school] being on the list." But he added, "When there are plans I will share them."
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, 615 W. Kemper Pl.: Despite its success, the elementary school did not make Chicago's best-of list this year. (Here's the methodology behind the rankings.) Earlier this year, Lincoln debuted a $19 million annex as a controversial solution to its overcrowding problem.
LaSalle Language Academy, 1734 N. Orleans St.: After winning the 2015 national Blue Ribbon award, Principal Beth Bazer said the school is "bursting at the seams" and poised to expand. While LaSalle didn't make WBEZ's list, Bazer said Mayor Rahm Emanuel told her he'd "get it done."
Manierre Elementary, 1420 N. Hudson Ave.: Manierre was one of several CPS schools to test positive for lead earlier this summer. In the spring, the school received financial support from its sister school, Blaine Elementary School, after another round of budget cuts.
Skinner North Classical School, 640 W. Scott Ave.: Skinner North was ranked the sixth best elementary school in the city, according to Chicago.
The school appears to be faring better than others after budget cuts: "While we experienced some cuts, we were able to preserve our programs and continue on with our current initiatives. Students will still have Art, Music, Spanish and even daily PE," an August email newsletter reads.
Franklin Fine Arts Center, 225 W. Evergreen Ave.: This school year, Franklin has a new principal. Kurt Jones came to Franklin by way of Arthur A. Libby Elementary School, where he was principal for nine years. The meetings leading up to the decision were tumultuous: Some parents were "outraged" by the Local School Council's decision to part ways with the school's former principal, Margie D. Smagacz.
According to WBEZ's list, the school may be getting improvements, including a new roof, to the tune of $9 million. But like Principal Boraz, Principal Jones hasn't been briefed on the project. In an email, Jones said he has "no information at all" yet.
Walter Payton College Prep, 1034 N. Wells St.: Ranked no. 1 in the city by Chicago, the selective-enrollment high school is debuting its $17 million addition this school year. The renovations, which have been in the making for years, include 11 classrooms, a new gym and fitness room and a "black box" theater.
Prescott Elementary School, 1632 W. Wrightwood Ave.: Chicago ranked Prescott the 14th best elementary school in the city. Local School Council president, Jennifer Lister, and other council members say the school's enrollment is growing fast — so much so that its kindergarten class is now bursting at the seams.
Jenner Academy of the Arts, 1119 N. Cleveland Ave.: Efforts to combine Jenner with Ogden Elementary are back on, with a consultant studying how the two schools could merge. A merger has to be approved by Dec. 1 for it to take effect next school year.
No known changes are coming to Alcott Elementary School, 2652 N. Orchard St., Oscar Mayer Magnet School, 2250 N. Clifton Ave., Walter L. Newberry Math & Science Academy, 700 W. Willow St., and Ruben Salazar Bilingual Center, 160 W. Wendell St.
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