The last class to graduate from Calumet Career Prep Academy, a public high school in Auburn Gresham, had its commencement this month, marking the end of an era and, many hope, the beginning of better things to come.
Calumet Career Prep, one of several underperforming schools the city phased out as part of Mayor Daley’s Renaissance 2010 schools plan, is being replaced by a cluster of charter schools that will occupy its space at 8131 S. May St. The Perspectives Charter Schools Calumet Campus will include a middle school, a liberal arts high school and a technology-focused high school.
The announcement several years ago that Perspectives would replace Calumet Career Prep raised protest. “There was concern that a charter school would bring in new faces, and kids from around here would not be able to attend,” said Carlos Nelson, executive director of the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation.
To ensure that didn’t happen, a community group asked that at least 80 percent of the kids admitted to Perspectives be from the three area ZIP codes. When Perspectives partially opened last fall, sharing space with Calumet Career Prep, 90 percent of its students met those standards.
“After this first year, a lot of opposition has diminished,” Nelson said.
The charter schools are part of a greater plan to attract middle-income young families to the community, Nelson said. He hopes Perspectives can change the “downtrodden culture that had enveloped Calumet High School.” aelejalderuiz@tribune.com
“I graduated from Calumet high school, and I hate the fact that they’re getting rid of the name of Calumet. But I think that the idea behind bringing new families in is a good thing, and revamping the school program is good. I believe the neighborhood is moving forward, but there’s a lot more that needs to be done.”
Phyllis Coleman, 39
“I think a charter school will be a great asset to this neighborhood. It will bring more people into the neighborhood, and for the kids around this area, it’s a great opportunity.”
Eric Pernell, 22
