Tag: Charter School

Christopher House Breaks Ground on Innovative Middle School

As a toddler, Camilla Ruelas had a life-saving liver transplant. She’s now a sixth-grader at Christopher House Charter School, with her sights set on college at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and later, medical school. “I hope to learn more about the human body and anatomy to become a doctor someday,” and perform those lifesaving transplants herself, she told a…

Real School Choice Means We Need Good Neighborhood Schools Too

I believe in school choice. But I believe in it like I believe in capitalism or college football. It’s a cool idea and I’m glad it’s around, but it doesn’t always work quite as well as advertised. Capitalism needs regulations and external guardrails to operate in any sustainable, fair way, and college football needs…well, I don’t have room to go…

Gov. Rauner, Don’t Call Yourself a Charter School Supporter Until You Fund Our Schools

The war between Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats in the state’s General Assembly has claimed its first charter casualty: Chicago’s Galapagos Charter School. More than likely, more will follow. That’s because charter schools are public schools, and in Illinois, that means they too are subject to our inadequate, unfair school funding formula and our record-setting budget stalemate. If Chicago Public Schools takes the…

Illinois Must Have A Budget For Our Schools By August 1st! #TheClockIsTicking

Dear Legislators, I am writing today because parent voice needs to be uplifted and amplified in discussions that affect children and families. I, along with hundreds of other parents, am extremely concerned about the lack of public school funding and the anticipated additional budget cuts that will dramatically affect our students in Chicago. The Illinois State Constitution promises “the state…

Moments that Matter

Earlier this week, the University of Chicago Charter School-Woodlawn Campus held their annual commencement ceremony for its graduating seniors.  Kai Stewart, the class valedictorian, stepped to the microphone to address her classmates, school administration and hundreds of proud family members in the audience.  During her speech, Kai reflected on her high school journey, spoke passionately and enthusiastically about her future…