The would-be founders of Chicago Classical Academy, which would have been a charter school rooted in the liberal arts and set apart from existing Chicago public schools, are discouraged that their application was not approved but they're not done, one would-be founder said during a recent interview.
"We decided to withdraw the appeal (of the application's rejection) to ensure that we were in the best position we could be if we decide to reapply for the charter in the future," Chicago Classical Academy would-be co-founder Alice Epstein told Chicago City Wire. "Our team is taking a few moments to catch our breath and regroup – and I am expecting baby No. 4 any day now. We have a lot of ideas for the future and will share our plans with our supporters soon."
The cautiously optimistic hopes of Chicago Classical Academy's would-be co-founders and the proposed charter school's would-be students and parents were dashed in early December when the Chicago Board of Education officially voted not to approve the academy's application. The board's decision was not entirely unforeseen. Epstein told Chicago City Wire just prior to the board's vote that trying to launch any charter school in Chicago means assuming the city's public school system won't go for it.
Even then, Chicago Classical Academy's would-be co-founders were considering all of their options as their application made the journey before the school board. An appeal to the Illinois State Board of Education already had been planned, Epstein said during the earlier Chicago City Wire interview.
"If that route is not successful, we will consider three options: re-applying next year, opening a location in the suburbs and going private," Epstein told Chicago City Wire in early December.
The group filed its appeal Jan. 5, but would-be co-founders recently made the painful decision to withdraw the appeal and try to regroup.
Visitors to the homepage of the academy's website were recently greeted by the following message: "Dear supporters, unfortunately, we decided to withdraw our appeal to the state commission. Our team is taking a few moments to regroup. We will be in touch shortly regarding our future plans and what's next for Chicago Classical. Please feel free to contact us anytime with specific questions. We are extremely grateful for the continued support! Sincerely, The Chicago Classical Team."
In a separate message to supporters, the academy's team said they were clued in that their appeal would be turned down.
"We were told the commission would be denying our appeal and no number or clout of supporters would alter that," Chicago Classical Team said in that message. "Thus, we didn't feel right having you show up today (the day the appeal would have been heard) when it wasn't going to make a difference. We are sad and tired, but not done. We will be taking a break, but have a lot of thoughts on what's next for classical education in Chicago. Stay tuned and let us know your thoughts in the meantime!"
Though Chicago Classical Academy's chances to be a brick-and-mortar school have so far been stymied. Epstein told Chicago City Wire she hopes those would-be students are able to find an acceptable educational option somewhere.
"We are hoping that all the families that were hoping to send their children to Chicago Classical this upcoming school year will find a good solution and will continue to support and advise as much as we can," she said during her most recent Chicago City Wire interview. "There are a few private school options that may be a great fit for some families and, of course, other charters and traditional public schools."
Alerts Sign-up