Although many people had specific questions about the proposed LGBTQA Chicago public high school at a recent community forum, most present appeared to support the idea of such a school.
On Sept. 18, Chicago Public Schools' ( CPS ) Office of New Schools held a community forum at the Center on Halsted regarding the proposed Social Justice High School—Pride Campus, a public school for LGBTQA students. Roughly 150 people, including politicians, local LGBT activists, teachers and students were present. There, CPS officials, as well as the proposed LGBTQA high school's design team, discussed the process, presented details and answered questions.
The Pride Campus, if approved, would open in the fall of 2010. A location has been chosen. The school would, in many ways, replicate the successful components of the Greater Lawndale Little Village School for Social Justice, which was born out of a community hunger strike.
Like the School for Social Justice, the Pride Campus would implement college preparatory curriculum. The overall goal is to provide LGBTQA students a safe, affirming and supportive environment, which would also serve as a national model for educating LGBTQA youth and help address systemic change within the CPS system. Also, the Pride Campus would address other important issues that impact the LGBTQA youth population, such as homelessness.
'Inherent in the base of what we are creating is a space that is safe,' said Renae Ogletree, CPS director of student development and a member of the Pride Campus design team.
During the community forum, the Pride Campus' design team said they envision Pride Campus being small in size, and hopefully located in a safe neighborhood near public transportation, so students from all over the city could have equal access.
The School for Social Justice is in its third year, and has seen much success. For example, 75 percent of its students are on track to graduate, and one-third of current juniors received a 19 or higher on the ACT.
According to assistant principal Chad Weiden, 90 percent of their seniors will attend college. He said that Pride Campus would be a college prep option for 'overlooked' students.
During the forum, the design team tried to strike down misconceptions about the proposed school, such as it is only a school for LGBT students. The school, they stressed, if for everyone.
Two Social Justice High Schools students—one junior and one senior who identified as allies—said that if given the chance, they would attend the Pride Campus.
'I would want that opportunity for myself and for my kids and grandchildren,' one student told the crowd. 'I don't think anyone here would want to take away the opportunity to be successful.'
Social Justice High School principal Rito Martinez said that the importance is 'looking at students not as black or brown, gay or straight, but beautiful human beings who deserve a quality education.'
The proposed school's design team also stressed that data is out there to support the need for an LGBTQA high school. The reality is that many LGBTQ students are bullied and harassed in Illinois schools.
Paula Gilovich, education director at About Face Theatre and a member of the design team, has been collecting stories from LGBTQ youth for the past decade.She said one thing remains consistent: 'They do not feel safe in our schools.'
In Illinois, 35 percent of students report that sexual orientation is the reason students are bullied or harassed, according to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network ( GLSEN ) . Additionally, three-quarters of Illinois students report hearing homophobic slurs such as 'faggot,' and 83 percent report hearing remarks such as 'that's so gay,' in school. LGBTQ students are more likely to skip school, suffer from depression, attempt suicide and report being in a physical fight, as well.
Weiden, who is openly gay, shared his experiences as a gay student. He recalled being beat up and harrassed. 'I had to eat lunch in the bathroom,' he said. 'I needed the Pride Campus.'
The Office of New Schools is charged with carrying out CPS' Renaissance 2010 initiative, which was designed to create 100 new, high-quality schools in the city. So far, 75 schools have been created. In 2008, 50 design teams proposed new schools, including the Pride Campus. About half have moved forward in the process. The Pride Campus design team submitted a detailed proposal in July, and was interviewed by a panel of experts. The school's candidate for principal, Weiden, was interviewed, as well. The community forum was the next step in the process. The public was able to participate in two ways: ask questions and fill out a survey.
Next, CPS president Arne Duncan will review the school plans. On Oct. 1, he will announce his selection. During the week of Oct. 6, a public hearing will be held. The Chicago Board of Education will vote on the new schools during an Oct. 22 board meeting.
The design team also shared details about the proposed school's curriculum. Its minimum requirements call for four years of English; four years of math; four years of foreign language; three years of science; two years of physical education, health and drivers education; two years of fine arts and offers many electives. Issues such as LGBT history would be imbedded within inclusive, classic studies.
Also discussed were plans for a student advisory board, health services, inclusive and comprehensive sexual education, sports teams, opportunities for dropouts to reenter and more. Plans also include bathroom and locker room options for trans and gender non-conforming students.
The team envisions the school having a strong connection to the community through community partnerships. Already, several community organizations are on the proposed school's advisory council, and the team hopes to create even more relationships.
During a question and answer portion of the evening, many different issues were raised, such as whether or not an LGBTQA school would promote systemic change within CPS to make all schools safer for LGBTQ students. The design team tried to assure the audience that they share that goal, as well. Design team member and University of Illinois at Chicago associate professor Dr. David Stovall said that Pride Campus would be 'training hub' where other schools could come and see what a safe and affirming environment looks like, and hopefully implement that in their own schools.
'This is an option,' Weiden said. 'This is not a silver bullet.'
For those who wondered about the enrollment process, Social Justice High School English department chair Katherine Hogan explained that there are multiple pathways to enroll, including recommendations from eighth-grade counselors.
She stressed: 'This will never, ever be a dumping ground for students, as some people have suggested.'
A trans member of the audience expressed concern over whether or not an LGBTQA high school was a form of segregation. Some opponents of New York's Harvey Milk High School used that same argument.
Ogletree, who is openly lesbian and a member of the design team, said that even she struggled with that notion, especially as an African American.
'I wrestled with that,' Ogletree admitted. However, she believes that such a school doesn't support segregation, but the idea that safe and affirming spaces can lead to success.
Gilovich agreed: 'Segregation means to exclude,' she said. 'The very point of this school is to build a place for multiple identities—the opposite of segregation.'
During the question and answer portion, there were only a few opponents. One woman said that due to her religious beliefs, she did not want to support such a school with taxpayer dollars.
'I don't want to support, with my own taxpayer dollars, something that I don't believe in,' she said.
One individual argued that the Pride Campus would shelter LGBTQA students from the real world.
Williams Greaves, design team member and the city's liaison to the LGBT community said, 'Students are only in school six hours a day—they have to deal with the real world the rest of the time.'
