Pritzker College Prep Principal Named Charter Principal of the Year

Carrie Spitz, principal of Noble Schools' Pritzker College Prep campus, has been recognized for outstanding achievement among Illinois' public charter schools

 Pritzker College Prep Principal Named Charter Principal of the Year

Carrie Spitz, principal of Noble Schools' Pritzker College Prep campus, has been recognized for outstanding achievement among Illinois' public charter schools

CHICAGO — The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) has recently announced the recipients for the organization’s 2023 Charter Excellence Awards, naming Carrie Spitz, Principal of Noble Schools’ Pritzker College Prep campus, as ‘Charter Principal of the Year.’ The $10,000 award recognizes Spitz for outstanding achievement among the Illinois public charter school community.

“Being named INCS’ Charter Principal of the Year is such a tremendous honor,” said Spitz. “As a charter, our families choose us, and I do not take the responsibility that comes with this choice lightly. Our students only get one chance at high school, and I am constantly motivated to prove what’s possible for our community and give our students and families the best four years we can. I find the recognition both validating of the past two decades I have invested in education, as well as motivating with respect to the years to come.”

Spitz began her career in education as a tutor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she first realized her passion for teaching and educating others. Through Teach for America (TFA), Spitz was given the opportunity to serve Chicago’s West Englewood community as a high school Spanish teacher. During this time, Spitz earned her Master’s degree in Teaching and later went on to earn her Education Specialist Degree (Ed.S) in administration. In 2007, she joined Noble Schools at Pritzker College Prep. At the time, Pritzker was in its second year of operation, and Spitz was inspired by the task of building a new school. After serving as a teacher, dean, and the assistant principal at Pritzker, in 2017, Spitz accepted the role to serve the Hermosa community as the school’s principal.

“We are so incredibly proud of Carrie and are immensely grateful to have such dedicated, passionate, and experienced public servants who make Noble an outstanding option in Chicago education,” said Constance Jones, CEO of Noble. “Carrie has dedicated the past 16 years to the students, families, and staff of Pritzker College Prep, playing a key role in helping shape the school’s continued success while facilitating countless transformational experiences for its students. Carrie’s designation as INCS’ Charter Principal of the Year is well-earned, and we congratulate her for all of the amazing work she has done and continues to bring to the job each day.”

INCS, an organization dedicated to advocating for the improvement of public education by leveraging the charter school model, states that recipients of the Charter Principal of the Year award demonstrate a clear and shared vision for the school, regularly innovate to support students and staff, practice servant leadership, and focus on the growth and well-being of staff, students, and families. Since 2011, INCS has recognized exceptional principals, teachers, students, and advocates statewide with the Charter Excellence Awards. These awards honor and recognize outstanding achievement and the exceptional contributions the honoree has made to their schools, communities, and students. This year, INCS received 92 nominations from charter schools across the state.

Additionally, applicants of the award must lead a high-performing school. In the summer, U.S. News & World Report listed Pritzker College Prep as the leader among seven Noble schools ranked in the top 10% of U.S. high schools.

Pritzker College Prep, like other Noble public charter high schools, is ranked similarly to Chicago’s most elite selective enrollment schools, which require strenuous test-in admissions standards. Noble schools, in contrast, require no testing for admission and are open to all students in the city of Chicago.

At Noble, we are college-bound. Noble’s 17 nonprofit public charter high schools prepare roughly 12,000 students for college success each year with excellent teaching, rigorous academics, and comprehensive wraparound supports. With love and high expectations, Noble guides students through the college application process and is recognized nationally for innovations in alumni support. The Noble Class of 2023 earned more than $623 million in college scholarships and over 17,700 college acceptances. Learn more and join us at www.nobleschools.org.

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