Mayor Emanuel and CPS Announce 28 Schools to Receive State-of-the-Art High School Science Labs Next Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, July 11, 2018

CHICAGO - Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools today announced the first group of 28 high schools that will receive new, upgraded or renovated science labs as part of the district’s nearly $1 billion capital budget, which was released last week. This $28 million investment is the first step in the district’s $75 million, 3-year investment to ensure that all high school students in the City of Chicago have equitable access to a rigorous science education that will prepare them for success in the 21st century economy. Construction on the first 28 high schools is expected to begin in spring 2019 with completion by the start of the 2019-2020 School Year.

“For our students to succeed tomorrow, they need access to the best tools and technologies today,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “By equipping every CPS high school with a modern, state-of-the-art science lab we are helping to prepare every student in Chicago for a lifetime journey of discovery and inquiry.”

Chicago Public Schools chose the first group of 28 school communities based on facilities needs and programmatic alignment, with a priority focus on school communities that primarily serve minority and low-income students. Through this $75 million, three-year investment, 82 total high schools from across Chicago will gain access to brand new state-of-the-art science equipment and a lab layout that’s designed to facilitate learning in the same location as experiments, which encourages collaborative laboratory activities that support student learning.

"The future is now, and this investment will ensure that every student in every neighborhood has state-of-the-art science equipment to prepare them for rigorous college coursework and the jobs of the future,” said CPS CEO Dr. Janice K. Jackson. “Every student in Chicago deserves to attend a school with high quality resources, and in the first year of this multi-year investment we are prioritizing schools with the most significant facility needs and those that serve minority and low-income students to ensure all of our students have an opportunity to reach their full potential.”

This investment also supports the district’s realignment of its high school science curriculum and graduation requirements to provide a more comprehensive science education that aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). By ensuring equitable access to state-of-the-art science labs, CPS is helping reveal the inner scientist in all our students as they achieve the science credits they need to graduate.

Over the next three years, 54 more high schools (82 total) will add or undergo renovations to their science labs as part of this $75 million investment.

The following 28 high schools will receive a new or renovated science lab by the 2019-2020 School Year as part of the FY19 budget:

1. Austin CCA High School (New Lab)

2. Bogan High School (Renovations)

3. Bowen High School (Renovations)

4. Bronzeville High School (Renovations)

5. Chicago Agriculture High School (Renovations)

6. Clark High School (Renovations)

7. Corliss High School (Renovations)

8. Crane Medical High School (Renovations)

9. Curie High School (New Lab)

10. Dyett Arts High School (New Lab)

11. Harlan High School (Renovations)

12. Hubbard High School (New Lab)

13. Hyde Park High School (Renovations)

14. Juarez High School (New Lab)

15. Julian High School (Renovations)

16. Kelly High School (Renovations)

17. Kennedy High School (New Lab)

18. Marshall High School (Renovations)

19. Mather High School (Renovations)

20. Phillips High School (Renovations)

21. Prosser High School (New Lab)

22. Raby High School (Renovations)

23. Simeon High School (New Lab)

24. Steinmetz High School (Renovations)

25. Sullivan High School (Renovations)

26. Tilden High School (Renovations)

27. Washington High School (New Lab)

28. Williams High School (New Lab)

Chicago Public Schools serves 371,000 students in 646 schools. It is the nation’s third-largest school district.

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