The Woodlawn Community School, one of a number
of schools authorized by the Chicago Public Schools System in 1996, was
founded by the Woodlawn Development
Associates on
the principle that we need to create a new kind of partnership in which
both communities contribute directly to the strengthening and development
of each other.
The
Woodlawn Community School started with the belief by board members of WDA
that they had a responsibility to the children of Woodlawn to help them
(the children) develop a strong positive sense of themselves, to recognize
themselves as important and contributing members of the community and to
know with certainty that members of the community were concerned and cared
about them.
These WDA board members believed that if their
efforts were successful, the children, as they grew would in turn begin
to develop a strong sense of community , and would contribute to the growth
and improvement of the quality of life not only in Woodlawn but thoughout
the city of Chicago.
This belief began to take form in October 1995
when WDA board members learned about the Chicago Public Schools invitation
to schools, teachers, community organizations, institutions and others
to submit proposals to create small schools.
A steering committee of interested members was
formed and community meetings were held where parents and others were intvited
to talk about their concerns about education and encouraged to envision
the kind of school they would like for their children.
The steering committee drafted a proposal based
on the ideas expressed at the community meetings and on discussions held
with educators and other interested citizens.
The proposal was submitted to CPS in January of
1996. In February of 1996, WDA was informed that their proposal has been
accepted. A letter announcing the acceptance, signed by Paul Vallas, CEO
of Chicago Public Schools, stated in part...
All who reviewed your proposal applaud your
goal of opening a quality small school in... Woodlawn... [We] were impressed
the depth of community and institutional support that the idea has generated.
Following the CPS announcement, the work of creating
a small school in Woodlawn began. It was the beginning of turning a vision
into reality, of creating a school from "the inside out."
Space was located in the sothern wing of Wadsworth
Elementary School, thanks to the Wadsworth principal Dr. Milton Albritton.
A principal for WCS, Dr. Errol Frank was appointed. Teachers were interviewed
and hired. Supplies were ordered. A community-wide campaign to recruit
students was designed and carried out. Parents were talked to, day care
centers were contacted and finally, children were enrolled. In September
1996, the doors of Woodlawn Community School were opened -- and a new small
school in Woodlawn had come into being.
