Not everyone is sad to see Urban Prep is closing

Urban Prep Academy High School students celebrating after "National Signing Day 2018," a day when graduating seniors announce which college they will attend in the fall. (Photo by Wendell Hutson)
Urban Prep Academy High School students celebrating after "National Signing Day 2018," a day when graduating seniors announce which college they will attend in the fall. (Photo by Wendell Hutson)

Not everyone is sad to see Urban Prep is closing

By Wendell Hutson Contributing Writer

Students and parents at Urban Prep West Academy High School said they are not surprised that Chicago Public Schools plans to close the charter school next year.

“I think it’s good the school is closing because teachers here do whatever they want to us [students],” alleged Keonte Macon, a 14-year-old freshman. “When parents are around, the teachers put on a show, but behind closed doors they curse at us,” she further alleged.

And Kemon Dean, a 15-year-old freshman, said he is not sad to see the school close either.

“I really don’t care what happens to Urban Prep West,” said Dean. At a Dec. 3 Chicago Board of Education meeting, CPS recommended closing Urban Prep West, 1326 W. 14th Place, largely due to poor, academic performance. The all-boys school opened in 2009 and has about 200 students who are mostly black.

Some parents said they are hoping the school remains open.

“When I heard about the school closing I was very disappointed. I think Urban Prep is the best school for African American males,” said Austin resident Marleen Collins. “My son is a freshman at Urban Prep West and my nephew is a senior. I remember telling my nephew when he was in sixth grade that he was going to Urban Prep and he doubted me, but now he loves it.”

But CPS officials insisted that the school has not made enough improvements (academically) to stay open.

“Urban Prep West failed to provide students with a high-quality education, and it was in the best interest of students to revoke the school’s charter and help families find high-quality school options in the area,” contends Michael Passman, a spokesman for CPS. “CPS’ mission is to ensure that every public school in every neighborhood offers a high-quality education that prepares students for success.”

He added that based on the school district’s “charter accountability policy” and the renewal criteria for contract schools, Urban Prep West failed to meet the contractual condition to successfully implement a remediation plan and improve enough to be removed from the academic warning list. And that Urban Prep West has had a Level 2 rating for the past four years.

Urban Prep West Principal Cory Cain declined to comment. But Tim King, founder and chief executive officer of the nonprofit Urban Prep Academies, said he is opposed to closing the campus.

“This decision is shocking and confounding. After all, CPS just renewed the West Campus’ charter last year,” explained King. “The West Campus provides a curriculum with double the English credits and more core-courses than traditional public schools, an extended school day, robust after-school programs, and daily mentoring.”

King said the school has maintained a 100 percent college acceptance rate, “despite reduced enrollment caused by CPS moving our campus from the East Garfield Park community (to the Near West Side), and despite financial challenges caused by reduced funding and increased expenses (including CPS charging the West Campus $1.3 million in ‘rent’ over the past five years),” according to King.

Passman noted that charter schools located on a CPS-owned property are not charged rent costs by the district.

“Rather, they must cover the costs of maintenance and service provided by the district,” added Passman.

Starting in January, CPS will hold meetings with parents to provide them with a transitional plan for their students as well as other educational options available. CPS is the nation’s third largest school district with 361,000 students and 644 schools.

Urban Prep will continue to operate its two South Side campuses in Englewood and Bronzeville, and King said, “We will pursue every avenue available to us to continue to serve our West Campus students.

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