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Story posted December 16, 2009

Results:
• Over 90% graduation rate 
• 85% college-going rate

Built in 1898, John Spry School has served kindergarten through eighth-grade children from southwest Chicago’s Little Village community, where the majority of the population is bilingual, for many years. But historically many of Spry’s students would graduate in the 8th grade, get a job to help support their families, and never complete high school.

In 2003, former principal of Spry, Dr. Carlos Azcoitia, approached the District CEO about adding a high school to Spry, creating a comprehensive community school from preschool through secondary school. After getting the go-ahead, Azcoitia met with community members, parents, the local school council, teachers, and students to discuss the design of a shared community building with an innovative, “no failure” high school. Today, Spry’s Community Links High School, which serves a student population that is 100% Hispanic and over 93% free or reduced price lunch, is opening new doors for the area’s children.

Committing to Post-Secondary Success
As a public, neighborhood school, Spry’s Community Links High School (CLHS) provides a unique opportunity for students and families from the community who are committed to success. Spry has designed a unique schedule—elementary students start at 9 a.m., while classes for high school students begin later each day. High school students have an extended eight-hour day and attend school year-round, in order to graduate in just three years.

Post-secondary goals are embedded in the school’s culture. Students and their parents make a commitment to complete high school and enroll in college. If students are struggling, they come in on Saturdays or early mornings for tutoring. They go on college and university visits beginning their freshman year. During their third (and final year), all students participate in the College Bridge program, enrolling in college level classes for dual credit at nearby institutions including National Louis University, University of Illinois Chicago, Roosevelt University, DePaul and Loyola.

The school has also partnered with several nearby universities to bring undergraduate and graduate students into the school, further immersing CLHS youth into the post-secondary culture. Several of these higher educational institutions have committed to providing scholarships and financial aid for CLHS students. Additionally, Azcoitia developed a College Fund to assist Community Links students and families who are not eligible for certain scholarships.

Committing to the Community
CLHS also aims to develop its young people to be leaders in their own community through service-learning that connects them to issues affecting their neighborhood. During their first year, high school students serve as tutors and classroom assistants in preK-2nd grade rooms. According to teachers, interaction with older students provides a fun and deeper level of engagement for the children, and being bilingual allows the students to truly connect to each other. Students also participate in a Junior ROTC program that fosters teamwork, self-discipline, respect, and leadership.

During their second year, all high school students are placed as interns in the community, including the local hospital, library, Boys & Girls Club, and private businesses. Working two or three mornings before their school day starts, youth receive job skills and academic credit while being exposed to a range of careers.

Students have also advocated for legislative changes and the building of a new public library, participated in peace marches, hosted a Safety Forum, and engaged in other community development activities.

Connecting with Parents and the Community
“We have the highest expectations,” says Azcoitia. “Our theme is that the greatest influence on the student is the family. And the greatest influence on the family is the community. So it is very important to develop a school to meet community needs.”

Community Links High School enjoys a high level of parent engagement and provides families with a range of community resources. Through the school’s 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, CLHS has partnered with the Boys & Girls Club, located directly across the school’s playground, to provide additional after school programs for students. The school also provides many after school clubs, sports and recreational activities, such as Salsa dancing. In addition, adult literacy, English as a Second Language, math and computer classes are offered at the school on evenings and Saturdays.

“When our students go to their church, to the Boys & Girls Club, to their homes, and the message of education is reinforced, then the opportunities for success are greater,” comments Azcoitia. “I think it empowers us. We know it’s extra work, but we have to share the work. And that’s what counts.”

Spry also partners with Latinos United for Priorities in Education (LUPE), which focuses on Latino student achievement from early childhood through postsecondary education. LUPE hosts meetings in the school and represents the interests of the community back to the District.

In partnership with Alivio Medical Center, Spry has historically offered medical services for students and their families during health fairs and other school-wide events. Last year, the partnership received a health foundation grant to build a health clinic at the school. Alivio staffs the clinic, providing comprehensive services for young people and their parents, including routine physical exams and immunizations.

Leadership
The vision of Community Links High School is 100% high school and post-secondary graduation. Principal Francisco Barros reflects on the urgency of this vision: “A 100 percent graduation rate is about social justice. We are opening the door to a new generation of students, who will then continue to open doors for generations to come.”

The signs of success are clear. The school reports an over 90% graduation rate, above district and state averages, and has tracked an 85% college-going rate. CLHS also has a 96% daily attendance rate.

In addition, when the high school program began in 2003, 30% of the elementary-aged students at the school were meeting or exceeding standards; now rates are at 73%. Being located in the same building allows teachers at various grade levels to plan their curricula together. The teachers and principal recognize that the better their students do in elementary school, the more prepared they are for high school success.

This model has been so successful that in the summer of 2009, Azcoitia helped launch a new high school program at nearby Mason School, modeled after Spry Community Links High School.

For additional information, please contact:
Francisco Borras
Principal, Community Links High School (part of John Spry Community School)
773-534-1997

This story came to LFA's attention after being featured in the August 2009 Coalition for Community Schools publication The Community Schools Approach: Raising Graduation and College Going Rates: Community High School Case Studies (p. 15-16).

Full citation: Axelroth, R. (2009). The Community Schools Approach: Raising Graduation and College Going Rates—Community High School Case Studies. Washington, DC: Coalition for Community Schools, Institute for Educational Leadership.

© August 2009 by the Coalition for Community Schools, Institute for Educational Leadership, Inc.

Story adapted and reposted with permission from the Coalition for Community Schools.