In recent years, it’s been difficult for North Side neighborhood high schools like Lake View to compete with the highly desired seats at CPS’s selective enrollment high schools. However, this fall, Lake View High School experienced a 40% increase in freshmen enrollment from its 17 feeder elementary schools (Audubon, Bell, Blaine, Budlong, Burley, Chappell, Coonley, Greeley, Hamilton, Hawthorne, Inter-American, Jahn, Jamieson, McPherson, Nettelhorst, Ravenswood and Waters). This jump in the number of feeder school students can be attributed to several factors.
Performance and Modernization
Academic performance continues to rise at Lake View. In 2015-16, the last year in which year-to-year growth was measured for SQRP (the CPS School Quality Rating Policy), Lake View students scored at the 28th percentile across all subgroups. In 2017-18, Lake View students scored at the 50th percentile—the national growth average—in 9th grade, 10th grade English, and 11th grade.
The percentage of students earning an early college or career credential (through AP, Dual Credit, or ROTC) recently increased to 43.5%, and that number is expected to rise. Also, students have the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree in Web Development at the same time as their diploma.
In 2011-12, Lake View High School was designated as an Early College STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) High School, one of only eight such high schools in CPS today.
In 2016, Lake View created the Innovation Academy, a group of students who are academically successful, technologically inquisitive, and passionate about innovation and development. Innovation Academy students spend one day a month learning with and from real-world innovators at Chicago businesses and institutions such as Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine, Microsoft, Google, 1871, etc., and engage in projects designed to broaden their impact and think deeply about how technological solutions can address today’s problems.
Whether enrolling in some of their school’s 45 Honors or 18 AP/dual-credit courses, competing on one of 28 sports teams or joining one of many student-led clubs, Lake View students have access to a broad collection of offerings that ensure they are well prepared for college and careers.
In addition to academic achievements, in 2018, Lake View High School underwent a $27 million renovation project that preserved its 19th-century exterior architecture while modernizing the interior, including the cafeteria, gymnasium and hallways. The project also added a new turf athletic field and an Innovation Lab.
Dedicated Leadership
A Chicagoan and CPS graduate, Lake View High School Principal Paul Karafiol has devoted his 24-year career to educating and supporting CPS students. Interestingly, he started as a student teacher in Lake View’s summer precalculus program. His CPS high school experience has included positions at Ogden International and Walter Payton College prep, where he spent 15 years as a teacher and resident principal. Karafiol earned a Bachelor’s in philosophy from Harvard University and a Master’s in philosophy from the University of Chicago, where he also completed a year of law school. He is currently a doctoral student at UIC.
Strong Partnerships
Lake View High School is strengthened by the support of corporate and community leaders, local residents and parent volunteers who are determined to make Lake View the first choice for neighborhood students. Partners include Microsoft, Verizon, Bitspace, Deloitte, DePaul University, Northwestern University, UChicago Impact, Cubs Charities, Graceland West Association and GROWCommunity.
Community members who are interested in supporting Lake View High School are encouraged to visit folvhs.org, buy a brick at www.folvhs.org/legacy-brick-fundraiser, or contact Friends of Lake View at amysmolensky@comcast.net.
A “Living” Legacy: Illinois’ Oldest High School
In 1873, the citizens of Lake View Township voted to establish a high school. Built on land donated by the Graceland Cemetery Company, Lake View High School was constructed at a cost of $16,000 and opened its doors May 4, 1874. The original structure could accommodate up to 200 students. Today, nearly 1,400 students attend Lake View.
Lake View High School is proud of the past, committed to the present and poised for the future.
For more information, contact:
Peggy Herrington, Chairperson
Local School Council