It is Our Mission to Produce Lifelong Learners

Our Vision: At TCA, we are dedicated to preparing students to succeed in high school, college, and beyond, as we all strive to make a positive and dynamic impact on our world.

Our Mission: At TCA, staff, parents, and students: Think critically and globally. Care about community and respect diversity. Achieve in a rigorous, supportive environment.

Pre K-8

The Chicago Academy

3400 N. Austin Ave.
Chicago , IL 60634
773-534-3885

Enrollment: 612
A CPS Neighborhood School

Useful links


TenMarks

Compass Learning

ST Math

TCA Family Calendar

Principal's Message

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Greetings and Welcome to The Chicago Academy

Hello Dolphin Community,

We are excited to dive into the 2017-2018 school year with you. Our students are reaching toward even higher levels of achievement, and our teachers and staff are continuously seeking out ways to best meet your students’ academic needs. 

We are committed to providing all students at TCA with an education that empowers them to make a positive and dynamic impact on our world. We value every moment with your child, and we aim to empower them with the knowledge, perspective, and agency so they have access to opportunities that they deserve. We recognize that our partnership with you is essential in order for all of our students to become their best selves. Let’s Think, Care, and Achieve together this year as we strive toward continuous growth and success. Please reach out to us if there’s anything we can do to support you and your student(s).

 

 

Thank you for your support,

Jay Laughlin

Performance

School Year 2017-2018:
Attainment Percentile in Reading, 73
Growth Percentile in Reading, 66

Attainment Percentile in Math, 74
Growth Percentile in Math, 66

Steady, positive improvements in academic achievement, student engagement, and parent satisfaction are hallmarks of all AUSL-managed CPS schools.

Our History

Building on Our History to
Create a Culture of Excellence

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The Chicago Academy is housed on the first two floors of the former Wilbur Wright Junior College building, which was opened in 1934. The building was completed in 1930 and originally served as a junior high school until 1933, when it was converted to an elementary school and high school branch for two years. The navy took over the building from 1941 to 1946 to offer navy training classes during World War II. A library was added in 1961, which now houses part of the high school. Wright College moved to its new location on Narragansett and Montrose in 1993.

The Chicago Academy opened in 2001. TCA was Chicago Public School’s first contract school as well as its first school-based teacher preparation program for aspiring teachers. In its first year, it operated classes from prekindergarten through fourth grade. In 2002, the school added fifth and sixth grade classes, and in 2003 and 2004 seventh and eighth grades, respectively.

A synthetic turf field was added in 2007, the first of its kind at a CPS school. In 2012, the old pool was filled in and the space was converted into a multipurpose room with completely renovated locker rooms to serve both schools and the community.

Building off the successes of Wilbur Wright and Wright College before us, TCA integrates technology into the classroom for innovative lessons and enhanced student achievement.

The building contains 27 classrooms and serves 600 students.

AUSL

AUSL (Academy for Urban School Leadership) is a Chicago nonprofit school management organization that creates schools of excellence by developing highly effective teachers and transforming educational outcomes for students in the lowest performing schools.

AUSL opened the Chicago Academy in 2001 as a training academy. Training Academies are neighborhood schools in which residents are trained. These schools are not turnarounds but were opened with the purpose of developing highly effective teachers for the challenging urban environment.

AUSL is committed to to providing all AUSL students with a quality education to prepare them for college and career.

Staff List

Questions for Our Staff?

If you have any questions, The Chicago Academy staff will be happy to assist you.

Phone:(773) 534-3885

Fax: (773) 534-0109

 

 

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Administration

Mr. John Laughlin
Principal
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Ms. Joyce Pae
Assistant Principal
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Ms. Katie Peterson
Mentor/Resident Coach

Ms. Laura Bityou
School Culture Coordinator/Dean
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Ms. Jeanette Pawletki
Clerk
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Ms. Ewa Sieminski
Clerk
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Teachers

Ms. Halina Zielna
PreK - Room 115
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Ms. Alma Moreno/Ms. Maria Olmeda
PreK - Room 121
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Ms. Elizabeth Brown
Kdg - Room 109
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Website

Ms. Claudia Castro
Kdg - Room 111
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Website

Ms. Karla Daye
1 - Room 219
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Ms. Elaine Robaczewski
1 - Room 220
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Ms. Nora Cole
2 - Room 217
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Ms. Janelly Diaz
2 - Room 218
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Ms. Carol O'Connell
3 - Room 215
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Ms. Elizabeth Rosado
3 - Room 216
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Ms. Dana Burlig
4 - Room 213
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Ms. Erin Timur
4 - Room 214
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Ms. Melissa McMahon
5 - Room 210
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Ms. Susan C. Stone
5 - Room 212
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Website

Mr.Jeffrey Horn
6 - Room 209
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Ms. Haneen Arman
6- Room 206
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Website

Ms. Maltita Klauba
7 - Room 201
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Mr. Jason Bohan
7 - Room 207
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Mr. Oscar Newman
8 - Room 207
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Website

Mr. John Wischnewsky
8 - Room 205
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Ms. Patty Miller
P.E.
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Ms.Jessica Heffernan
PE
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Ms. Heather Walters
Art
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Ms. Anna Kain
Music
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Ms. Leah Radinsky
Bilingual/ESL
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Ms. Maria Ronda
Bilingual/ESL
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Ms. Meri LeBlanc
Case Manager
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Ms. Karin Candelaria
Diverse Leaning
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Website

Ms. Deirdre Pallasch
Diverse Learning
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Ms Maggie Monahan
Diverse Learning
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Ms. Jessica Siegel
Diverse Learning
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Website

Ms. Monika Walilko
Diverse Learning
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Ms. Edith Aguilar
Diverse Learning
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Support Staff

Ms. Rebecca Kaffenbarger
Counselor
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Mr. Juan Barriera
Community Relations Representative
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Mr. Jose Lopez
Security and School Climate

Ms. Rosa Kraus
Instructor Assistant-PreK (115)
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Ms. Maria Rios
Instructor Assistant-PreK (121)
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Ms. Anna Witowska
Instructor Assistant-K (111 and 109)
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Ms. Edith Hidalgo
Teacher Assistant

Ms. Nicole Guerrero
SECA

Ms. Joyce Davis
SECA
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Ms. Helene Miller-King
SECA
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Mr. Eugene Payne
SECA
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Mr. Craig Miller
Social Worker

Ms. Mai-Phuong Johnston
Occupational Therapist
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Ms. Paula Dres
School Psychologist

Ms. Jean Marie Daleo
Health Services Nurse
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Ms. Faith Reimer
Speech Therapist
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