Chicago school closures: Feeling the impact 10 years later

The former Ross Elementary School on the South Side is one of the 50 Chicago public schools shuttered in 2013. The school is one of the 26 buildings that haven't been returned to use 10 years after the closings. — The former Ross Elementary School on the South Side is one of the 50 Chicago public schools shuttered in 2013. The school is one of the 26 buildings that haven’t been returned to use 10 years after the closings.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons

Chicago closed 50 public schools 10 years ago. What were the costs and consequences?

This week marks a decade since the Chicago Board of Education voted to carry out the largest mass school closure in the nation’s history.

The former Ross Elementary School on the South Side is one of the 50 Chicago public schools shuttered in 2013. The school is one of the 26 buildings that haven’t been returned to use 10 years after the closings.

Ashlee Rezin

By Stephanie Kim Dan Tucker

When 50 Chicago public schools were closed a decade ago, then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel and district leaders promised students would be better off and that the buildings would be transformed into community assets. A new WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times series takes a closer look at those promises and the long-term consequences on the city’s district, neighborhoods and families.

Reset learns more from the team behind the series.

GUESTS: Kate Grossman, WBEZ senior editor for education

Sarah Karp, WBEZ education reporter

Lauren FitzPatrick, Chicago Sun-Times investigative reporter

Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times education reporter