Mapping 10 years of school closures

A history of school closings in Chicago, 2001 to 2011, and what has become of their buildings.

December 7, 2011

By Linda Lutton, Sarah Karp and Elliott Ramos

Nearly a decade ago, Chicago Public Schools announced it would shut down three chronically low-performing schools-Williams, Dodge and Terrell.  It was Chicago's introduction to "renaissance," to the hope that an entirely new staff- or even some entity other than the school district-could create a high-performing school from the ashes of a struggling one.

Since then, the announcement of school actions-turnarounds, closings and reconfigurations-has become an annual occurrence. Last week, CPS announced it wants to turn around 10 schools (firing all staff) and wholly or partially close eight others.

If the proposals are approved by the district's Board of Education, Chicago will shutter its 100th school since Williams, Terrell and Dodge. WBEZ and Catalyst plotted out annual school closings and turnarounds over the last decade in Chicago. The sortable chart and maps show where schools have been closed or turned around, what's become of the school buildings and how well new schools in those buildings are performing.

The closings and turnarounds have disproportionately affected African American schools on the West and South Sides. Humboldt Park and the Near West Side, followed by Grand Boulevard, have been the locations of the most school actions. Closings are also clustered around former CHA developments.

Very few of the schools shut down have remained vacant. Many house charter schools, magnets or selective enrollment schools. Almost all of the schools that closed were neighborhood schools with attendance boundaries. More than half of the replacement schools admit students by lottery or test scores.

Eighteen percent of the replacement schools (those schools located in buildings where either closure or turnaround has occurred) were rated "Level 1" by CPS this year, the highest performance level. Nearly 40 percent of replacement schools are Performance Level 3, the lowest rating CPS gives.

 

NameAddressCommunity AreasSchool Year in Which Board Took ActionBoard ActionStated ReasonCurrent StatusPerformance Level of New School(s)
Daniel Hale Williams Elementary School2710 South Dearborn St. Chicago, IL 60616Douglas2001-2002Closurepoor performanceWilliams Multiplex ("schools within a school"). Admissions by lottery.Williams Elementary School Performance Level 2; Williams Middle School Performance Level 3
Mary C. Terrell Elementary School5410 South State St. Chicago, IL 60609Washington Park2001-2002Closure and Consolidationpoor performanceACE Technical Charter School. Admissions by lottery.Performance Level 3
Mary Mapes Dodge Elementary School2651 West Washington Blvd. Chicago, IL 60612East Garfield Park2001-2002Closurepoor performanceDodge Elementary Renaissance Academy, managed by AUSL. Admissions by lottery.Performance Level 2
Carter G. Woodson North Middle School4414 South Evans Ave. Chicago, IL 60653Grand Boulevard2002-2003Closure and ConsolidationunderutilizedU of C Woodson Charter School. Admissions by lottery.Performance Level 2
George T. Donoghue Elementary School707 East 37th St. Chicago, IL 60653Oakland2002-2003ClosureunderutilizedU of C Donoghue Charter School. Admissions by lottery.Performance Level 3
Lucy Flower Career Academy3545 West Fulton Ave. Chicago, IL 60624East Garfield Park2002-2003Closurelow enrollment, change of educational purposeAl Raby HS, a small school. Admissions by lottery.Performance Level 3
Muñoz Marin Primary School3320 West Evergreen Ave. Chicago, IL 60651Humboldt Park2002-2003Closure and ConsolidationunderutilizedCPS Preschool for All site 
Nikola Tesla Alternative School6657 South Kimbark Ave. Chicago, IL 60637East Garfield Park2002-2003ClosureunderutilizedWoodlawn Community Elementary, a small school. Admissions by lottery.Performance Level 2
The Arts of Living Alternative School1855 North Sheffield Ave. Chicago, IL 60614Lincoln Park2002-2003Closureunderutilizedvacant 
Zenos Colman Elementary School4655 South Dearborn St. Chicago, IL 60609Grand Boulevard2002-2003ClosureunderutilizedCPS Network Offices 
Austin Community Academy High School231 North Pine Ave. Chicago, IL 60644Austin2003-2004Phase Outpoor performanceAustin Polytech, VOISE HS,and Austin Business and Entrepreneural High School (contract school). All admissions by lottery.Austin Polytech Performance Level 2; Austin Business and Entrpreneurship Academy Performance Level 3
Benjamin W. Raymond Elementary School3663 South Wabash Ave. Chicago, IL 60653Douglas2003-2004Closure and ConsolidationunderutilizedPerspectives IIT Charter School. Admissions by lottery.Middle School Performance Level 3; High School Performance Level 2
Calumet Academy High School8131 South May St. Chicago, IL 60620Auburn Gresham2003-2004Phase Outpoor performancePerspectives Charter Tech HS, Perspectives Charter Leadership Academy, Perspectives Charter Middle School. All admissions by lottery.Perspectives Calumet Middle School Performance Level 3; Perspectives Calumet High School Performance Level 3; Perspectives Calumet Technology Performance Level 3
Hartigan Community Arts Specialty School8 West Root St. Chicago, IL 60609Grand Boulevard2003-2004Closure and Consolidationlow enrollmentBronzeville Lighthouse Charter School. Admissions by lottery.Performance Level 1
Henry Suder Elementary School2022 West Washington Blvd. Chicago, IL 60612Near West Side2003-2004ClosureunderutilizedSuder Montessori Magnet School. Admissions by lottery.Performance Level 1
James R. Doolittle Jr. West Primary School521 East 35th St. Chicago, IL 60616Douglas2003-2004ClosureunderutilizedChiArts HS (contract school). Admissions by audition. Minimum test scores required to apply. 
Jesse Spalding Elementary and High School1628 West Washington Blvd. Chicago, IL 60612Near West Side2003-2004Closurepoor building conditions; renovations too costly, low enrollmentHope Institute Charter School. Admissions by lottery.not enough data
Orr Community Academy High School730 North Pulaski Rd. Chicago, IL 60624Humboldt Park2003-2004Closurepoor performance, conversion to four small schoolsSplit into four small schools. CPS later closed those schools (2007-08). Now a single school managed by AUSL.Performance Level 3
Richard E. Byrd Community Academy363 West Hill St. Chicago, IL 60610Near North Side2003-2004ClosureunderutilizedBeing used by Immaculate Conception Catholic School. 
Richard Wright Elementary School627 North Harding Ave. Chicago, IL 60624Humboldt Park2003-2004Closurefacility issuesvacant 
Simmye G. Anderson Community Academy6315 South Claremont Avenue Chicago, IL 60636Chicago Lawn2003-2004Phas e OutunderutilizedNew building constructed: Claremont Academy Elementary SchoolPerformance Level 2
Sojourner Truth Elementary School1443 North Ogden Ave. Chicago, IL 60610Near North Side2003-2004ClosureunderutilizedChicago International Charter School--Quest campus. Admissions by lottery.not enough data
Stephen A. Douglas Community Academy School3200 South Calumet Ave. Chicago, IL 60616Douglas2003-2004ClosureunderutilizedPershing West Magnet School. Admissions by lottery.Performance Level 1
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School1522 West Fillmore St. Chicago, IL 60607Near West Side2003-2004ClosureunderutilizedSTEM Magnet School. Admissions by lottery.not enough data
Englewood Academy High School6201 South Stewart Ave. Chicago, IL 60621Englewood2004-2005Phase Outpoor performanceTEAM Englewood and Urban Prep Charter School. Admissions by lottery at both.TEAM Englewood Performance Level 2; Urban Prep Performance Level 3 (2010-2011 information)
Howland School of the Arts1616 South Spaulding Ave. Chicago, IL 60623North Lawndale2004-2005Closurepoor performanceCatalyst-Howland Charter School. North Lawndale College Prep Charter HS-Christiana campus. Admissions by lottery at both.Catalyst-Howland Performance Level 3; North Lawndale College Prep Charter HS-Christiana Performance Level 2 (2010-2011 information)
Ralph J. Bunche Elementary School6515 South Ashland Ave. Chicago, IL 60636West Englewood2004-2005Closurepoor performanceProvidence-Englewood Charter School. Admissions by lottery.Performance Level 1
Ulysses S. Grant Community Academy145 South Campbell Ave. Chicago, IL 60612Near West Side2004-2005Closurepoor perfomanceMarine Military Academy and Phoenix Military Academy. Admissions by interview, test scores, and grades.Marine Military Academy Performance Level 2; Phoenix Military Academy Performance Level 1
Carver Middle School13100 South Doty Ave. Chicago, IL 60827Hegewisch2005-2006Closedconversion to military academyCarver Miltary Academy. Admissions by interview, test scores, and grades.Performance Level 2
Edward Franklin Frazier Elementary School4027 West Grenshaw St. Chicago, IL 60624North Lawndale2005-2006Closurepoor performanceFrazier International Magnet School. Frazier Prepatory Academy Charter School. Admissions by lottery at both.Frazier International Magnet School Performance Level 1; Frazier Prepatory Academy Charter Performance Level 1
George W. Collins High School1313 South Sacramento Dr. Chicago, IL 60623North Lawndale2005-2006Phase Outpoor performanceCollins Academy HS, managed by AUSL. North Lawndale College Prep Charter HS. Admissions by lottery.North Lawndale College Prep Charter High School Performance Level 3 (2010-2011 information)
James H Bowen High School2710 East 89th St. Chicago, IL 60617South Chicago2005-2006Closurepoor performance, conversion to four small schoolsClosed to create four small schools. CPS then closed those schools (2010-11) and re-consolidated the school. Now called New Millennium HS.Performance Level 3
Jean Baptiste Point DuSable High School4934 South Wabash Ave. Chicago, IL 60615Grand Boulevard2005-2006Closurepoor performance, conversion to small schoolsDuSable Leadership Academy- Betty Shabazz Charter School (admissions by lottery); Williams Medical Preparatory School (admissions based on grades and test scores); Bronzeville Scholastic Institute (small school, admissions by application).DuSable Leadership Academy-Betty Shabazz Charter School P erformance Level 3 (2010-2011 information); Williams Medical Prepartory School Performance Level 2; Bronzeville Scholastic Institute Level 3
Joan F. Arai Middle School900 West Wilson Ave. Chicago, IL 60640Uptown2005-2006Closurealternative useUplift Community Academy HSPerformance Level 2
John Farren Elementary School5055 South State St. Chicago, IL 60609Grand Boulevard2005-2006Consolidationpoor performanceNow Crispus Attucks Academy. Attucks' prior location, 3813 S. Dearborn, is vacant.Performance Level 3
Robert Lindblom College Prep High School6130 South Wolcott St. Chicago, IL 60636West Englewood2005-2006Closurepoor performanceNow a selective enrollment school.Performance Level 1
Samuel F. B. Morse Tech Elementary School620 North Sawyer Ave. Chicago, IL 60624Humboldt Park2005-2006Closurepoor performancePolaris Charter Academy. Admissions by lottery.Performance Level 2
William T. Sherman Elementary School1000 West 52nd St. Chicago, IL 60609New City2005-2006Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceNow Sherman School of Excellence. Managed by AUSL.Performance Level 3
George Westinghouse Career Academy High School3301 West Franklin Blvd. Chicago, IL 60624Humboldt Park2006-2007Closurefacility issuesNow a selective enrollment school.not enough data
John Harvard Elementary School7525 South Harvard Ave. Chicago, IL 60620Greater Grand Crossing2006-2007Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceNow Harvard School of Excellence. Managed by AUSLPerformance Level 2
John V. LeMoyne Elementary School851 West Waveland Ave. Chicago, IL 60613Lake View2006-2007Closurepoor performanceInterAmerican Magnet School moved here. (Admissions by lottery). InterAmerican's former building was sold to Illinios Masonic Hospital and demolished.Performance Level 1
South Shore Community Academy7527 South Constance Ave. Chicago, IL 60649South Shore2006-2007Closurepoor performance, conversion to four small schoolsClosed to create four small schools. CPS then closed those schools (2010-11) and re-consolidated into the School of Leadership. That school is now being phased out.High School of Leadership at South Shore Performance Level 3
Sir Miles Davis Academy6723 South Wood St. Chicago, IL 60636West Englewood2007-2008Closure Now Davis Magnet Academy. Admissions by lottery.Performance Level 3
Vernon Johns Middle Academy6936 South Hermitage Ave. Chicago, IL 60636West Englewood2007-2008ClosureLow EnrollmentShabazz-Sizemore Charter School. Admissions by lottery.Performance Level 3
Midway Academy5434 South Lockwood Ave. Chicago, IL 60622Garfield Ridge2007-2008ClosureLow EnrollmentPasteur Branch relieves overcrowding at Pasteur.Pasteur Elementary School Performance Level 2
Gladstone Elementary School1231 South Damen Ave. Chicago, IL 60608Near West Side2007-2008ClosureLow EnrollmentNoble Street Charter HS--UIC Campus. Admissions by lottery.Performance Level 1 (2010-2011 information)
Irving Park Middle School3815 North Kedvale Ave. Chicago, IL 60641Irving Park2007-2008Closure and ConsolidationLow EnrollmentDisney II Magnet Elementary. Admissions by lottery.Performance Level 1
De La Cruz Middle School2317 West 23rd Place Chicago, IL 60608Lower West Side2007-2008Phase OutLow Enrollmentvacant--
Andersen Elementary School1148 North Honore St. Chicago, IL 60622West Town2007-2008Phase Outunder-utilizedCPS closed the school definitively in 2010-11. Now LaSalle II Language Academy Magnet. Admissions by lottery.Performance Level 1
William Rainey Harper High School6520 South Wood Street Chicago, IL 60636West Englewood2007-2008Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceCPS TurnaroundPerformance Level 2
Robert Fulton Elementary School5300 South Hermitage Ave. Chicago, IL 60609New City2007-2008Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceCPS TurnaroundPerformance Level 2
Nicholas Copernicus Elementary School6010 South Throop Street Chicago, IL 60636West Englewood2007-2008Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceCPS Turnaround. Now called Langford Community Academy.Performance Level 2
Morton Career Academy431 North Troy Street Chicago, IL 60612Humboldt Park2007-2008Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceNow Morton School of Excellence. Managed by AUSL.Performance Level 1
Julia Ward Howe Elementary School720 North Lorel Ave. Chicago, IL 60644Austin2007-2008Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceNow Howe School of Excellence. Managed by AUSL.Performance Level 1
Applied Arts, Science & Technology Academy ("AASTA")730 North Pulaski Road Chicago, IL 60624Humboldt Park2007-2008Closepoor performanceConsolidated into Orr, managed by AUSL.Performance Level 3
EXCEL Academy730 North Pulaski Road Chicago, IL 60624Humboldt Park2007-2008Closepoor performanceConsolidated into Orr, managed by AUSL.Performance Level 3
Moses Vines Preparatory Academy730 North Pulaski Road Chicago, IL 60624Humboldt Park2007-2008ClosePoor PerformanceConsolidated into Orr, managed by AUSL.Performance Level 3
Carver Middle School801 East 133rd Place Chicago, IL 60627Riverdale2007-2008Closure and Consolidationpoor performanceChicago International Charter School--Larry Hawkins campus. Admissions by lottery.not enough data
Nia Elementary2040 W. Adams Chicago, IL 60612Near West Side2008-2009CloseLow EnrollmentNoble Street Charter HS--Bulls Campus. Admissions by lottery.not enough data
Foundations Elementary2040 W. Adams Chicago, IL 60612Near West Side2008-2009CloseLow EnrollmentNoble Street Charter HS--Bulls Campus. Admissions by lottery.not enough data
South Chicago Elementary8255 S. Houston Ave Chicago, IL 60617South Chicago2008-2009CloseLow EnrollmentEpic Academy Charter HS. Admissions by lottery.not enough data
Princeton AC5125 S. Princeton Chicago, IL 60609Fuller Park2008-2009CloseLow EnrollmentIllinois Eye Institute Vision Program (serving CPS students) 
Abbott Elementary3630 S.Wells Chicago, IL 60609Armour Square2008-2009Closure and ConsolidationLow EnrollmentAir Force Academy. Admissions by interview, test scores, and grades.not enough data
Schiller Elementary640 W. Scott Chicago, IL 60610Near North Side2008-2009Closure and ConsolidationLow EnrollmentSkinner North Classical School (test-based admissions)not enough data
Medill Elementary1301 W. 14th St Chicago, IL 60608Near West Side2008-2009Closure and ConsolidationLow EnrollmentChicago Academy for Advanced Technology HS (contract school).not enough data
Davis Developmental9101 S. Jeffrey Blvd. Chicago, IL 60617Calumet Heights2008-2009Closure and ConsolidationLow Enrollmentvacant 
Carpenter Elementary1250 W. Erie St Chicago, IL 60622West Town2008-2009Phase OutLow EnrollmentCPS closed the school definitively in 2010-11. Now Ogden International High School. Selective admissions.not enough data
Best Practice HS2040 W. Adams Chicago, IL 60612Near West Side2008-2009Phase OutLow Enrollment2011-12 proposed CLOSURE 
Reed Elementary6350 S. Stewart Chicago, IL 60621Englewood2008-2009Phase OutLow Enrollment2011-12 proposed CLOSURE. Currently sharing with Noble Street Charter HS-Johnson campus. Admissions by lottery.not enough data
Lathrop Elementary1440 S. Christiana Chicago, IL 60623North Lawndale2008-2009Phase OutLow Enrollment2011-12 proposed CLOSURE 
Fenger HS11220 S. Wallace Chicago, IL 60628Roseland2008-2009Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceCPS TurnaroundPerformance Level 3
Bethune Elementary3030 W. Arthington Chicago, IL 60612East Garfield Park2008-2009Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performancemanaged by AUSLPerformance Level 3
Johnson Elementary1420 S. Albany Chicago, IL 60623North Lawndale2008-2009Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performancemanaged by AUSLPerformance Level 2
Dulles Elementary6311 S. Calumet Chicago, IL 60637Greater Grand Crossing2008-2009Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performancemanaged by AUSLPerformance Level 2
George W. Curtis Elementary32 E. 115th St. Chicago, IL 60628Roseland2009-2010Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performancemanaged by AUSLPerformance Level 3
Charles S. Deneen Elementary7257 S. State St. Chicago, IL 60619Greater Grand Crossing2009-2010Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performancemanaged by AUSLPerformance Level 2
Myra Bradwell Elementary7736 S. Burnham Ave. Chicago, IL 60649South Shore2009-2010Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performancemanaged by AUSLPerformance Level 3
Wendell Phillips HS244 E. Pershing Rd Chicago, IL 60653Douglas2009-2010Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performancemanaged by AUSLPerformance Level 3
John Marshall HS3250 W. Adams St. Chicago, IL 60624East Garfield Park2009-2010Reconstitution ("Turnaround")Low PerformanceCPS TurnaroundPerformance Level 3
Bartholome de las Casas Occupational HS8401 S. Saginaw Ave. Chicago, IL 60617South Chicago2009-2010ClosureCost and Facilities IssuesThis building was leased from the Chicago Archdiocese. Lease terminated. 
Helen McCorkle Elementary4421 S State St, Chicago, IL 60609Grand Boulevard2009-2010ClosureFacilityvacant 
George Schneider Elementary2957 N. Hoyne Chicago, IL 60618Lake View2009-2010ConsolidationLow EnrollmentClosed definitively by CPS 2010-11. Alcott HS for the Humanities. Admissions by lottery.not enough data
The High School of the Arts at South Shore7529 S Constance Ave. Chicago, IL 60649South Shore2010-2011Closure   
The High School of Technology at South Shore7529 S Constance Ave. Chicago, IL 60649South Shore2010-2011Closure   
The High School of Leadership at South Shore7529 S Constance Ave. Chicago, IL 60649South Shore2010-2011Phase Out   
The High School of Entrepenuership at South Shore7529 S Constance Ave. Chicago, IL 60649South Shore2010-2011Closure   
Avondale Elementary2945 N. Sawyer Chicago, IL 60618Avondale2010-2011ConsolidationLow EnrollmentOne of two buildings used by Logandale Elementary.Logandale Elementary Performance Level 2
Chicago Discovery High School2710 E 89th St. Chicago, IL 60617South Chicago2010-2011Consolidationpoor performanceconsolidated into Bowen New Millennium 
Global Visions High School2711 E 89th St. Chicago, IL 60617South Chicago2010-2011Consolidationpoor performanceconsolidated into Bowen New Millennium 
Bowen Enviromental Studies High School2712 E 89th St. Chicago, IL 60617South Chicago2010-2011Consolidationpoor performanceconsolidated into Bowen New Millennium 
Pablo Casals Elementary3501 W. Potomac Avenue Chicago, IL 60651Humboldt Park2011-2012Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceto be managed by AUSL 
Fuller Elementary4214 S. Saint Lawrence Ave Chicago, IL 60653Grand Boulevard2011-2012Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceto be managed by AUSL 
Herzl Elementary3711 W. Douglas Blvd. Chicago, IL 60623North Lawndale2011-2012Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceto be managed by AUSL 
Marquette Elementary6550 S Richmond St. Chicago, IL 60629Chicago Lawn2011-2012Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceto be managed by AUSL 
Piccolo Elementary Specialty School1040 N Keeler Ave. Chicago, IL 60651Humboldt Park2011-2012Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceto be managed by AUSL 
Amos Alonzo Stagg Elementary7424 S Morgan St. Chicago, IL 60621Englewood2011-2012Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceto be managed by AUSL 
Chicago Vocational Career Academy (CVCA) High School2100 E 87th St. Chicago, IL 60617Calumet Heights2011-2012Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceto be managed by CPS 
Tilden Career Community Academy High School4747 S Union Ave. Chicago, IL 60609New City2011-2012Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceto be managed by CPS 
Wendell Smith Elementary744 E 103rd St. Chicago, IL 60628Pullman2011-2012Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceto be managed by CPS 
Woodson South Elementary4414 S. Evans Chicago, IL 60653Grand Boulevard2011-2012Reconstitution ("Turnaround")poor performanceto be managed by CPS 
Guggenheim Elementary7141 S. Morgan St. Chicago, IL 60621Englewood2011-2012Closepoor performance  
Price Elementary4351 S Drexel Blvd. Chicago, IL 60653Kenwood2011-2012Closepoor performance  
Dyett High School555 E. 51st St. Chicago, IL 60615Washington Park2011-2012Phase Outpoor performance  
Crane Technical Preparatory High School2245 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60612Near West Side2011-2012Phase Outpoor performancewill become Talent Development Charter HS. Admissions by lottery. 
  • Under reconstitution, or "turnaround," students continue to attend their neighborhood school, but all staff is dismissed and must reapply for their jobs.
  • Turnarounds are operated by the school district or by AUSL (the Academy for Urban School Leadership). AUSL is the Academy for Urban School Leadership, a nonprofit school management and teacher training organization.
  • "Stated reason" for closure was taken from CPS press materials, board reports or archived news articles. In some cases, the stated reason was not clear, or there were multiple reasons given.
  • This is a list of schools closed during the district's annual round of school closings, the vast majority for poor performance or low enrollment. The district has closed or transformed a handful of additional schools not included on this list over the past decade.
  • Performance Levels are determined by Chicago Public Schools. Level 1 is the highest level of performance. Level 3 is lowest.
  • This data set is posted on this page for download. See "EXTRAS" below.