After over a year of vigorous advocacy work to expand the school, Horizon Science Academy McKinley Park was granted a second campus for its high school programming starting next fall.
The Illinois State Board of Education State Superintendent, Dr. Tony Sanders, sent Concept Schools a letter on Jan. 13 stating its application to modify the school's charter agreement had been approved. HSA McKinley Park's current campus on Pershing Rd. will continue to be home for the school's K-8 students while the new high school campus (for grades 9-12) will be at Lourdes Hall on W 32nd Pl.
This is an enormous win for HSA McKinley Park and the Bridgeport community, who made it clear they were ready for a top-tier high school in their area.
"This simply wouldn't have been possible without YOU – our engaged, thoughtful, and passionate HSA community," the school wrote on its Facebook page. "We are so grateful for all that you did to advocate for our school and this expansion."
Since 2013, HSA McKinley Park has continued to make a name for itself. U.S. News & World Report named it the top charter school in Illinois while the Chicago Reader ranked it as the No. 8 public school in Chicago. By moving its high school programming to Lourdes Hall, the school's enrollment will increase from 900 students to 1,999 between the two campuses, allowing more families to have access to our world-class education.