North Lawndale

Home of Johnson School of Excellence

Presented by:
Raven McGill
Carrie Ohannes
Patrigna Pennant
Megan Kerwin
Location
North Lawndale is quite a bit larger than the attendance
boundaries for the school. Attendance boundaries are defined
by W. 16th to the north, W. Douglas to the south, St. Louis to
the East and S. Albany to the west. The school is located on the
corner of 15th and Albany.
History of North Lawndale
Organized in 1837 as a part of Cicero
Thriving industrial area as the home of Sears Roebuck
and Company, Zenith, Sunbeam, and Western Electric
Population doubled between 1910 and 1920; half of
the residents were Russian Jews
By the 1960s the population was 91% African American
During the 1960s Martin Luther King Jr. briefly resided
in North Lawndale to draw attention to problems in
the area
Riots during the late 1960s led to industrial decline
and 75% of businesses closed their doors
North Lawndale in the Present
Makes up 3.21 square miles on the
Northwest side of Chicago
Population averaging around 35,000
Median income approx. $13,000
Community shows signs of improvement
with the construction of new housing
developments and retail centers
North Lawndale in the Present
Johnson School of Excellence
Demographics
436 students enrolled during 2012-2013
school year
Serves Pre-K through 8th grade
97.9% African American
95.4% Low Income
13.8% Special Education students
95.2% Average Daily Attendance Rate
65.7% students meeting or exceeding
ISAT standards
Community Resources
Parks
12 total
Community Resources
Library
Community Resources
Health Centers & Hospitals
Places of Worship
Community Resources
Community-based Organizations
Community Resources
Community Resources
Community Housing Profile
Multi-unit homes
Townhomes
Apartments
Low-income
Greatest concentration of greystones
Older and newly developed homes
Many were vacant
Interactions with Community
Members
St. Agathas church is an integral part of the community. We were
able to talk to Sister Mary Therese, the Vice-Principal and Patricia
Williams the Principal. The school boasts in technology enhanced
curriculum and offers tuition assistance and scholarships.
Approximately 95% of students take advantage of this assistance.
Sister Mary Therese shared she has seen little change in the
neighborhood over the year. Ms. Williams concurred. Both are
former teachers, once a former
Principal, in the public school system.
Ms Williams shared some classrooms
are combined due to the small size
of the school.
Interactions with Community Members -
S.A.F.E. (St. Agathas Family Empowerment)
St Agathas serves as a safe haven for many students in the
community as well. Their after school program held next door in
the S.A.F.E building has north of 150 children each day, from 3-
6pm. During the summer, S.A.F.E. provides programming from 6am
to 6pm. Children enjoy gospel choir, dance, computer labs and can
count on meals being provided as well. We spoke with Gladys
Roman, Assistant Director who has been with the program since
inception in 1991, and David Wolfe, the new Director.Both shared
a lack of resources in the community is a problem. Ms. Roman
shared, Theres nothing for the kids to
do, no skating rinks, movie theaters...
just a basketball ring in the park. St.
Agathas is certainly a valuable resource for
the North Lawndale Community.
Interactions with Community Members
Johnson School of excellence will be a receiving school
for Pope Elementary which closed at the end of the
2012/13 school year. We walked along part of the safe
passage route, and had an opportunity to speak with
one of the beat officers, Officer
Zamora. She shared the
neighborhood (near the school)
is pretty quiet in general, and
they dont foresee any issues
along the Safe Passage route or
in the school.
Photographs
Photographs
Photographs
Photographs
Photographs
Fun Facts
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived at 1550 S. Hamlin in
1966 while campaigning against housing discrimination
Otis Clay, Magic Sam, and Buddy Guy launched their
careers with Cobra Records at 2854 W. Roosevelt
Kevin Garnett, NBA All-star lived in K-Town and went
to Farragut Career Academy
Isaiah Thomas, NBA Hall of Fame player, grew up in
North Lawndale
THANK YOU!!!