Chicago City Wire

Shavon Howery Stevens, an office staff member at Chicago Hope Academy, emphasizes that her work reflects persistence, care, and the importance of listening to the community. This statement was made during an interview.

"I don't have to raise my voice," said Miss Peaches, Main Office Staff Member. "You got to hustle. We are the people, and we need to be heard by you. Everything. I feed them every day everything."

Chicago Hope Academy has established itself as a stabilizing force on Chicago’s West Side since its founding in 2004. The school was initiated by Christian businessmen who transformed former parish school facilities into a college-preparatory, faith-based high school. Its mission focuses on academic rigor, spiritual growth, athletics, and trades as tools for transformation in underserved neighborhoods.

According to Niche, the academy currently enrolls approximately 276–299 students in grades 9–12 with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1. The demographics reveal that 48.5% of the students are Hispanic and 43.1% are Black, with smaller percentages of White, Asian, and multiracial students. About 95% of students receive financial aid, and nearly 90% of graduates proceed to four-year colleges.

Research highlighted by Stop for Education underscores the impact of staff and community support on student outcomes at Chicago Hope Academy. With small class sizes contributing to a 100% graduation rate, around 91% of its students pursue bachelor’s degrees. The school also reports above-average ACT scores compared to many Chicago public schools, indicating how personal attention and community involvement contribute to success.

Stevens, known affectionately as "Miss Peaches," is a Chicago native and mother of three working at the academy. Her nickname was given by her uncle at birth and has remained her public identity. At Hope Academy, she supports daily operations while serving as a mentor and advocate for students and parents. She promotes accountability and travels to Springfield, Illinois, to lobby for school choice programs benefiting low-income families.

Chicago Hope Academy is a private Christian college-preparatory high school founded in 2004 on Chicago’s West Side after Christian businessmen purchased and renovated the former St. Callistus parish school. The academy's mission is to prepare students academically, spiritually, and socially through small class sizes, extensive financial aid offerings, and a focus on leadership and service.