Northside College Preparatory High School

Northside College Preparatory High School (commonly referred to as Northside College Prep, Northside Prep, NCP, or simply Northside) is a public 4-year selective enrollment high school located in the North Park neighborhood on the north side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1999, it was the first new CPS high school to be built in 20 years. It is a selective enrollment school, and teaches only at the Honors and AP levels (excluding the P.E. department). Northside has earned a reputation for academic excellence, and has been consistently ranked as the #1 high school in Illinois by US News and World Report.

Northside College Prep High School
Address
5501 N. Kedzie Avenue

Chicago
,
Illinois
60625

United States
Coordinates41.9813°N 87.70783°W / 41.9813; -87.70783
Information
TypePublic Secondary Selective Enrollment
Established1999
OversightChicago Public Schools
PrincipalKelly L. Mest
Grades9–12
Number of students1,048 (2014–15)[1]
Campus typeUrban
Color(s)Maroon     
Silver     
Athletics conferenceChicago Public League
MascotMustang
AccreditationNorth Central Association of Colleges and Schools
NewspaperThe Hoof Beat
WebsiteSchool Website

In 2014, it was ranked #3 in the nation by Newsweek.[2] The school's establishment, part of former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's plan to reinvent the city's public school system, generated controversy in the city and in the education community. The facilities were built with a $52.5 million budget that critics said could have better served other schools in city.

History

Founded in 1999, it was the first new Chicago Public School (CPS) high school to be built in 20 years. It is a selective enrollment school, and teaches only at the Honors and AP levels (excluding the P.E. department). Northside has earned a reputation for academic excellence, and has been consistently ranked as the #1 high school in Illinois.

The school's establishment, part of former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's plan to reinvent the city's public school system, generated controversy in the city and in the education community. The facilities were built with a $52.5 million budget that critics said could have better served other schools in city.

Admission

Admission to Northside Prep follows the selective enrollment application system. Factors considered in the application include a student's grades from 7th grade, standardized test scores, entrance exam scores, and socio-economic status.[3] As of 2016-2017, the demographic makeup of Northside Prep HS was 30.0% white, 19.0% Asian, 29.0% Hispanic, 8.0% black, and 0.4% Native American. As of 2012-2013, 35.5% of the school's students were low-income, 6% were special education students, and 0.7% were limited English learners.[4]

College admissions and rankings

Northside College Prep is well known for the success of its students in the college admissions process, with over a quarter of the senior class gaining admission to the nation's top universities. Over 99% of the graduating senior class matriculates to college. In addition, the student body as a whole earns a large amount of financial aid from various sources.

  • In 2018 Northside was rated #2 in Illinois and #82 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report[5]
  • In 2016 Northside was rated the #8 high school in the nation by "Newsweek" [6]
  • In 2014 Northside was rated the #3 high school in the nation by "Newsweek" [7]
  • In 2013 Northside was rated #1 in Illinois and #33 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report[8]
  • In 2011 Northside was rated #1 in Illinois and #24 in the nation by Newsweek
  • In 2013 Northside was rated the #2 public high school in the nation by "The Best Schools." [9]

Curriculum/scheduling and colloquium

With the exception of physical education classes, all courses in Northside are either Honors or (AP) (Advanced Placement). Northside has 24 advanced placement classes. Northside's math program is unique from most other high schools in that it uses the Interactive Mathematics Program, also known as IMP, instead of a traditional math track. IMP is very writing based, with students writing portfolios and projects instead of simply solving mathematical equations. Aside from four IMP courses, Northside also offers College Math, AP Statistics, AP Calculus BC, AP Calculus AB, and Multi-Variable Calculus.

Northside also offers special education services for incoming students with diagnosed disabilities. The school's Office of Specialized Services helps to arrange appropriate accommodations.[10] Given its extremely competitive academic environment, Northside successfully lobbied the Chicago Board of Education to eliminate class rankings. This effort was led by former principal Dr. James Lalley.

Northside's classes run on a block schedule. Classes meet twice a week: on Mondays and Thursdays or Tuesdays and Fridays. The school day used to start at 8:16 a.m. and ended at 3:30 p.m. until the 2014–15 school year when the school day at Northside now starts at 8:00 a.m. and now ends at 3:04 p.m. (except for Colloquium schedule where it ends at 3:01 p.m.).[11] Each block is 100 minutes long with an 8 minute passing period between blocks. [12] Wednesdays are reserved for an approximately three-hour non-credit class on five-day weeks called Colloquium. Dozens of colloquia are offered, with a wide range of interest such as motorcycle repair, computers, robotics, consumer-education, sewing, quilting, art, photography, paper craft, and Asian calligraphy, and each relates to one specific theme that changes every year. Classes are chosen by students twice a year (every semester, or otherwise it is year-long); availability is dependent on popularity and student's year ranking: seniors get first pick, then juniors, sophomores, and lastly freshmen; all of this is done online, through sound programming, with student portals opening at 7 am for students to start registering. There are different dates for different year students. These are the only classes in which students either pass or fail. Colloquium clubs vary from year to year.

After colloquium on Wednesdays, Northside College Prep has X and Y block classes. X and Y block classes are classes that students re-pick every week that will help them most that specific week. For instance if a student needs help in math homework they can choose a math tutoring class for either their X or Y block that week (each block used to be about 50 minutes long until the 2014–15 school year where now X and Y are 60 minutes long[11]). Northside recently implemented and utilizes online student programming, in which students access and select their schedules through internet programming for both classes and colloquium. Courses for the upcoming school year are programmed at the end of the first semester of the current school year.

Sustainability

In the summer of 2010, Northside installed a 105-panel solar thermal system on the southern half of its roof. These solar panels work to heat the school's pool and have the capacity to provide hot water to the entire school.[13] This project was head by Northside science teacher Mr. Mike Coy, and Alexandra Rojek, Northside's 2011 valedictorian.

Located behind the school is the Joy Garden, a continuation of Northside's efforts to become a more sustainable institution. The Joy Garden is a 10,000 square foot situated adjacent to the eastern front of the building and was built entirely through the efforts of students with the help of Urban Habitat Chicago. The garden is equipped with the latest in green technology, including a self-sustainable storm water management system and permeable concrete. However, it is more than just ecologically functional and friendly. This garden was built with a particular emphasis on providing a stimulating environment for special needs students. It extends from a traditional garden environment to one that is accessible to all students.[14]

Athletics

Northside competes in the Chicago Public League (CPL) and is a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). The Boy's Varsity Cross Country Team won the IHSA Regional title in 2008 and was the City Champion in 2009. The Boy's Varsity Track and Field Team won the IHSA Sectional Title in 2013 and 2016. The Girl's Varsity Cross Country Team won the IHSA Regional title in 2011, 2015, and 2016. The Girls Varsity Cross Country Team won the IHSA Sectional Title in 2016. The Girl's Varsity Cross Country Team was the City Champion in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. The Girl's Varsity Track and Field Team won the IHSA Sectional Title in 2012. In 2016, under Coach Jon Gordon, the Northside College Prep Varsity Women Cross Country Team became the only CPS School to ever finish in the Top 6 in the State Cross Country Championships. The girl's varsity softball team were regional champions in 2011–12, 2012–13; and became the city champion. In 2013, The girls' varsity volleyball finished first in their conference (Red North). Pom-Pons team placed 1st in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) city championship and placed 2nd in the IDTA state competition in 2013. Girls Swimming CPS city champions tie with Lane Tech in 2012 and champions in 2014. Boys Swimming CPS champions 2016 and 2017. In 2018, Northside formed its first Women's Badminton team, winning 1st place in Doubles, and finishing 2nd overall as a team in the very first CPS City Championship. Sports Offerings:[15]

  • Fall:
    • Cross Country
    • Men's and Women's Golf
    • Men's Soccer
    • Men's 16" Softball
    • Women's Swimming/Diving
    • Women's Tennis
    • Women's Volleyball
  • Winter:
    • Men's and Women's Basketball
    • Men's and Women's Bowling
    • Cheerleading
    • Chess
    • Pom-Pons
    • Men's Swimming/Diving
    • Wrestling
  • Spring:
    • Women's Badminton
    • Baseball
    • Men's and Women's Lacrosse
    • Women's Soccer
    • Women's Softball
    • Men's Tennis
    • Men's and Women's Track & Field
    • Men's Volleyball
    • Men's and Women's Water Polo

Notable alumni
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References
  1. CPS: Northside College Prep
  2. "America's Top High Schools". Newsweek.
  3. "Selective Enrollment". Chicago Public Schools. Archived from the original on 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2013-04-08.
  4. "2012 Illinois school report cards". Chicago Tribune. 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-07-07. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  5. "Best U.S. High Schools".
  6. AM, On 8/11/16 at 9:00 (2016-08-11). "America's Top High Schools 2016". Newsweek. Retrieved 2019-01-14.
  7. "America's Top High Schools 2016". Newsweek.
  8. "America's Best High Schools". US News.
  9. http://www.thebestschools.org/blog/2013/03/27/50-public-high-schools-u-s/
  10. Special Education Information
  11. "2014-2015 Northside Block Schedule". Retrieved 2014-09-17.
  13. "The top ranked high school in Illinois chose CES. Needless to say, it was a smart decision". Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  14. "Northside College Preparatory High School Joy Garden". Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  15. http://www.nscollegeprep.cps.k12.il.us/ncphs/activities/sports/index.htm
  16. Mehr, Bob (July 14, 2005). "Goodness Gracious . . . This great ball of fire goes by the name Miss Alex White". The Chicago Reader. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  17. Borrelli, Christopher (September 22, 2017). "Chicago renaissance woman Eve Ewing is a poet, sociologist, closet 'Star Wars' fan and local Twitter celebrity". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  18. Metz, Nina (November 13, 2019). "'Bojack Horseman' writer Minhal Baig's coming-of-age film from Apple TV Plus centers a Muslim teen caught between two worlds". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
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