Private School Prepares Future Black Leaders

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by Thelma Sardin

At a time when some young African American men are under siege by violence, gangs and limited access to quality education resources, one South side high school is determined to help its students beat the odds.

Hales Franciscan High School (HF) is Illinois only historically African-American, all-male, Catholic preparatory high schools. Founded in 1962, the school is undergoing a renaissance of sorts based on its recently installed academically elite Internal Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, which makes it one of fewer than 800 high schools in the nation offering the coveted diploma.

HF holds entrance exams twice year and the next is scheduled for Jan.8th. School officials anticipate a great turnout. The projection is based on interest they have received from prospective parents throughout the school year at open houses, from students during visits and through admissions outreach, said Arthur Reliford in a press release. People recognize the value of a Hales Franciscan education, Reliford added in a recent interview with the Citizen. Not only are we faith based and not only do we have a rigorous college prep curriculum, in addition to our IB programme, parents see that this is a safe environment. Our students are well supervised and we have a preponderance of African American male instructors,Reliford continued.

The school is especially proud of its IB Programme that was started in August 2010. According to the release, the IB Programme is instrumental in helping Hales to turn around its academic programs and enrollment as it addresses a critical need at a time when the nation has turned the spotlight on overhauling education and improving academic achievement. Right now our top juniors are enrolled in the diploma program and we have 25 seniors that are enrolled in IB courses for a certificate, said Reliford.

Reliford began his principalship at HF in 2007. His goals included enhancing the curriculum by stressing science and technology as well as improving test scores. During his tenure, the principal has introduced an integrated science curriculum. With science and technology being a cornerstone in HFs curriculum, the Hales Franciscan Robotics Team was developed in 2007. The Boeing Company, an aerospace and defense corporation funded the team. Most of the students involved are in our pre-engineering program, said Reliford. HF participates yearly in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics competition. The schools partnership with Boeing began when the company was recommended to the school by the organization that hosts the robotics competition. Through my efforts and some of our alumni engineers, we were able to secure their funding, said Reliford.

According to Derrick Coleman, Sr., a 1974 HF alum, the school is a treasure for young Black males. Hales is like a gold mine. It could prove to be one of the best things in Hyde Park, among young black men because they are pretty much an endangered species out here. If you look at the news, Black men dont stand much of a chance in the inner city and its totally opposite on 49th street.

Colemans son, Derrick Coleman, Jr. is a junior at HF and will graduate in 2012. Something unique to HF according to Coleman, Jr. is the schools diversity. Its a very diverse population of character. Theres a different type [of person] at Hales everywhere. Nobody is quite the same. There may be different groups of people that come from different places but we can all relate in some way.everyone basically gets along.

Hoping to be a veterinarian, Coleman, wants to attend Cornell University in New York for both his undergraduate and medical degrees. He admits the school curriculum is challenging at times. There are certain classes where you really have to think. I think Hales curriculum is great and is built upon people succeeding.

Teachers are dedicated to the success of Hales students according to Coleman, Jr. Teachers are always there and willing to help. Its more than just an 8am-3pm school day; the teachers are there from 7 am to sometimes 7pm. An IB Programme student, the sixteen year old cites his experience in the program as challenging thus far. It expects a lot out of people and it takes an adjustment. It forces you to do independent studying and independent learning. He continued by saying each class has something new to learn and lessons build from previous class sessions.

Coleman, Jr. gave a word of advice to young black men such as himself who do not value education. Education isnt just for you. If you are going to school and doing what you have to do, it may benefit everyone around you to do more positive things. If youre not on the right track, you never know who is looking up to you and you never know who you influence through your actions.

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