Northside College Preparatory High School

For schools of the same name, see Northside High School (disambiguation).

Northside College Prep
Location
5501 N. Kedzie Avenue Chicago, Illinois, 60625 USA
Information
Type	Public secondary selective enrollment school
Established	1999
Oversight	Chicago Public Schools
Principal	Barry Rodgers
Grades	9–12
Number of students	1069 (2013)
Color(s)	Maroon      Silver
Mascot	Mustang
Newspaper	'The Hoof Beat'
Website	http://www.nscollegeprep.cps.k12.il.us/

Northside College Preparatory High School (commonly referred to as Northside College Prep, Northside Prep, NCP, or simply Northside) is a public four-year selective enrollment high school located in the North Park neighborhood on the northside of Chicago, Illinois, USA. Founded in 1999, it was the first new CPS high school to be built in 20 years. It is a selective enrollment school, teaching at the Honors and AP levels only (excluding the P.E. department). Northside quickly earned a reputation for academic excellence, and has been consistently ranked as the #1 public high school in Illinois by US News and World Report and many other publications. As of 2013, it was ranked #33 in the nation by US News and World Report. Since its inception, it has scored very high in the state on the Prairie State Achievement Exam scores, administered to juniors.

In 2003, the school's Academic Decathlon ("acadec") team defeated Chicago's Whitney Young High School to take first place in the state; it was the first time in 18 years Whitney Young had not gone home with this title. It went on to win the United States Academic Decathlon (USAD) Division III National Championship.

The Latin Team has been State Champions since 2004, amassing many smaller awards to match it. They have also won the state-wide Certamen championship many times at each level- Novice (Latin I), Lower (Latin II), and Upper (Latin III+). In 2012, three Northside students helped win the Advanced Certamen Championship at the National Junior Classical League convention in North Carolina.

The school's establishment, part of former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's plan to reinvent the city's public school system, generated controversy in the city and in the education community. The facilities were built with a $52.5 million budget that critics said could have better served other schools in city. Given its extremely competitive academic environment, Northside successfully lobbied the Chicago Board of Education to eliminate class rankings. This effort was led by former principal Dr. James Lalley.

Admittance/Selectivity

Admission to Northside Prep follows the selective enrollment application system. Factors considered in the application include a student's grades from 7th grade, standardized test scores, entrance exam scores, and socio-economic status. As of 2012-2013, the demographic makeup of Northside Prep HS was 42.6% white, 24,4% Asian, 22.6% Hispanic, 6.3% black, and 0.7% Native American. As of 2012-2013, 35.5% of the school's students were low-income, 6% were special education students, and 0.7% were limited English learners.

College Admissions

Northside College Prep is well known for the success of its' students in the college admissions process, with over a quarter of the senior class gaining admission to the nation's top universities. Over 99% of the graduating senior class matriculates to college. In addition, the student body as a whole earns a large amount of financial aid from various sources.

Rankings

• In 2013 Northside was rated #1 in Illinois and #33 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report
• In 2011 Northside was rated #1 in Illinois and #24 in the nation by Newsweek
• In 2013 Northside was rated the #2 public high school in the nation by "The Best Schools."

Curriculum

With the exception of physical education classes, all courses in Northside are either Honors or (AP) (Advanced Placement). Northside has 24 advanced placement classes.

Northside's math program is unique from most other high schools in that it uses the Interactive Mathematics Program, also known as IMP, instead of a traditional math track. IMP is very writing based, with students writing portfolios and projects instead of simply solving mathematical equations. IMP is extremely different from a regular mathematics program, and like everything, it has its advantages and disadvantages. Aside from four IMP courses, Northside also offers College Math, AP Statistics, AP Calculus BC, AP Calculus AB, and Multi-Variable Calculus.

Northside also offers special education services for incoming students with diagnosed disabilities. The school's Office of Specialized Services helps to arrange appropriate accommodations.

Scheduling and Colloquium

Northside has college-like Block Scheduling: classes are 102 min. per block, 51 per half block (most students get half block of lunch, and half block of another class) but meet twice a week: Mondays and Thursdays or Tuesdays and Fridays; classes start at 8:16am, end at 3:30pm; in between each period, there is an 8 minute passing period, during which music (upon request) is (normally) played. Here is the full schedule of NCP for a typical 5 day week.

Wednesdays are reserved for a three-hour non-credit class on five-day weeks (except Consumer-Ed, in which credit is given) called Colloquium. Dozens of colloquia are offered, with a wide range of interest such as motorcycle repair, computers, robotics, consumer-education, sewing, quilting, art, photography, paper craft, and Asian calligraphy, and each relates to one specific theme that changes every year. Classes are chosen by students twice a year (every semester, or otherwise it is year-long); availability is dependent on popularity and student's year ranking: seniors get first pick, then juniors, sophomores, and lastly freshmen; all of this is done online, through Sound programming, with student portals opening at 7 am for students to start registering; different dates for different year students. These are the only classes in which students either pass or fail. Colloquium clubs vary from year to year.

After colloquium on Wednesdays, Northside College Prep has X and Y block classes. X and Y block classes are classes that students re-pick every week that will help them most that specific week. For instance if a student needs help in math homework they can choose a math tutoring class for either their X or Y block that week(each block is about 50 minutes long).

Northside recently implemented and utilizes online student programming, in which students access and select their schedules through internet programming for both classes and colloquium. Courses for the upcoming school year are programmed at the end of the first semester of the current school year.

Sustainability

In the summer of 2010, Northside installed a 105-panel solar thermal system on the southern half of its roof. These solar panels work to heat the school's pool and have the capacity to provide hot water to the entire school. This project was head by Northside science teacher Mr. Mike Coy, and Alexandra Rojek, Northside's 2011 valedictorian.

Located behind the school is the Joy Garden, a continuation of Northside's efforts to become a more sustainable institution. The Joy Garden is a 10, 000 square foot situated adjacent to the eastern front of the building and was built entirely through the efforts of students with the help of Urban Habitat Chicago. The garden is equipped with the latest in green technology, including a self-sustainable storm water management system and permeable concrete. However, it is more than just ecologically functional and friendly. This garden was built with a particular emphasis on providing a stimulating environment for special needs students. It extends from a traditional garden environment to one that is accessible to all students.

Sports

Northside competes in the Chicago Public League (CPL) and is a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).

Sports Offerings:

• Fall:
  • Cross Country
  • Men's and Women's Golf
  • Men's Soccer
  • Men's 16" Softball
  • Women's Swimming/Diving
  • Women's Tennis
  • Women's Volleyball

• Winter:
  • Men's and Women's Basketball
  • Men's and Women's Bowling
  • Cheerleading
  • Chess
  • Pom-Pons
  • Men's Swimming/Diving
  • Wrestling

• Spring:
  • Baseball
  • Men's and Women's Lacrosse
  • Women's Soccer
  • Women's Softball
  • Men's Tennis
  • Men's and Women's Track & Field
  • Men's Volleyball
  • Men's and Women's Water Polo

Accomplishments

• In 2012 Northside's women's varsity softball team were regional champions.
• In 2013 Northside's women's varsity volleyball finished first in their conference (Red North).
• In 2013 Northside's chess team finished 15th in the nation in the K12 championship tournament in Nashville, Tennessee.
• In 2013 Northside's Pom-Pons team placed 1st in the CPS city championship.
• In 2013 Northside's Pom-Pons team placed 2nd in the IDTA state competition.

Clubs

Northside offers a wide variety of extracurricular clubs:

• Academic Decathlon
• Acafellas
• All For Christ
• Anime Club
• Aquarium Club
• Art Club
• Asian Club
• Badminton Club
• Ballroom Dancing
• Belly Dance
• Best Buddies
• Bike Crew
• Black Student Union (BSU)
• C.A.R.E.
• Chinese Fan Dance
• Chinese National Honor Society
• Club Forte
• Country Line Dancing
• Cricket Club
• Cupcakes for a Cause
• Dirt Actualizers (D.A.) Beasts
• Dazzle
• Debate
• Doing Something Wonderful (DSW)
• Drama Club
• Elderly Appreciation Society
• European Dance
• Film Club
• Forensics (Speech) Team
• French Honors Society
• Future Business Leaders of America
• Generation Y
• Girls/Guys Call Out
• Global Initiative
• Harry Potter Club
• Hawkey Club
• Hypnotik (Hip Hop Dance)
• Indonesian Hand Dance
• Indo-Pak Club (Desi-Club)
• Irish Dance
• Isang Hakbang
• Jama'ah Club
• Japanese National Honor Society
• Jewish Student Connection
• Junior Statesmen of America (JSA)
• Key Club
• Knitting Club
• Korean Fan Dance
• Latin Club
• Latino Club
• MAP (Magical After School Place)
• Make it Work Fashion Club
• Math Team
• Micro-finance Club
• Modding, OverClocking and E-Sports
• Model UN (United Nations)
• National Honor Society
• Nintendo Club
• Northside Alliance
• Northside buildOn Chapter
• Northside Poetry Slam Team
• Northside Rec Football
• Ohana (Hawaiian Dance)
• ONE
• Organization of Albanian Culture
• Passion Dance Ensemble (contemporary ballet)
• Pep Club
• Phoenix (Greek Club)
• Ping Pong Club
• Polish Club
• Poongmul (Korean percussion)
• Recycling Club
• Red Cross
• River Club
• Robotics
• Rocketry Club
• Sabor Latino (Latin Ballroom Dancing)
• Ski & Snowboard
• Soran Bushi Dance Team
• Spanish Honor Society
• Stage Crew
• STEMpact
• Student Council
• Tari Saman (Indonesian Hand Dance)
• Tech Crew
• Tech², a technology club that won first place in 2011's Capstone competition.
• Ten-Minute Dance Party
• The Unbelieveables:Atheist/Agnostic Alliance
• United Leagues
• Venture Capitalist
• Verve Literary Magazine
• Viet Mua
• Yacht Club
• Yearbook
• Yoga Club

Extra-Curriculars

• Northside's weekly school publication, The Hoofbeat, is updated online every Tuesday.
• Northside has an annual literary magazine, Verve, with an online edition, Verve2, at http://www.verve2.org/.
• Northside has its own student-led food magazine, The Buffet, which can be found online at http://northsidebuffet.com/.
• Notable creations of Northside's radio club, Left of the Dial, are available online at https://soundcloud.com/northsideleftofthedial
• Northside has an annual yearbook, The Stampede. The 2010 edition of The Stampede was a Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist.
• A notable Northside tradition is the annual Cubby Walk, a five-mile trek from Northside to Wrigley Field. Students raise money for the privilege to walk to the field and watch the Cubs game.
• Every year Northside holds its International Night event, showcasing many cultural dances practiced at Northside.
• At the end of each semester, Northside holds the "20 Hour Show," in which upper level art students are able to showcase their artistic endeavors.
• Every year, the Northside art department holds an outreach project and art showcase called Elephant with Riders. This free community event features student taught art workshops and exhibitions of student artwork. In an attempt to foster partnerships with area elementary schools, the exhibit also features artwork by middle school students.

Transportation

Northside is conveniently located near CTA bus stops and the Kimball and Kedzie train stops. The nearest bus routes include the 82 Kimball-Homan and the 92 Foster-Jefferson Park. After school, a public CTA bus waits for students in front of the campus.

Notable Alumni

• Cullen Omori, Max Kakacek, and Cameron Omori of the band Smith Westerns

External links

• [1]
• Northside College Prep HS Home Page
• Student Council of Northside Prep
• Profile from CPS
• http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12551652/site/newsweek/
• 2007 US News and World Report Gold Medal Listing of America's 100 Best High Schools
• Academic Decathlon Win
• About the Selective Enrollment process