National Teachers Academy is a high performing (Level 1+) public elementary school that serves 80% low-income African American students. The school also serves a training academy for future teachers focused on learning best practices in urban education. Additionally, the school is deeply grounded in a social justice curriculum (yes, even in K) and is deeply rooted in its legacy as a school built to serve the low-income residents of the Ickes public housing development, which was torn down in the Chicago Housing Authority's Transformation. The school continues to maintain its promise to forever serve as a school and home for former Ickes residents, who are now dispersed across Chicago.
On February 28, 2018, Chicago Board of Education approved CPS plans to close down this vibrant community, to displace students, and to introduce a new high school at National Teachers' campus. Taken out of context, these actions may seem benign. However, when understood in the scope of history that has occurred throughout the last 30 years of development in the South Loop, we believe this case is critical because of its broader implications on school segregation.
On June 19, 2018, NTA parents and community groups has officially filed a lawsuit to save the school.
To learn more, please check out our Resources page.
On February 28, 2018, Chicago Board of Education approved CPS plans to close down this vibrant community, to displace students, and to introduce a new high school at National Teachers' campus. Taken out of context, these actions may seem benign. However, when understood in the scope of history that has occurred throughout the last 30 years of development in the South Loop, we believe this case is critical because of its broader implications on school segregation.
On June 19, 2018, NTA parents and community groups has officially filed a lawsuit to save the school.
To learn more, please check out our Resources page.
