Chicago International Ralph Ellison—Featured Campus
Chicago International Ralph Ellison, is proud to be beginning the 2008-2009 school year in its new, permanent home at 1817 W. 80th St. In August 2006, CICS Ralph Ellison opened its doors at a temporary site to 150 9th graders hailing from the South Side of Chicago. This year, at 80th and Honore, Chicago International Ralph Ellison will serve 475 ninth, tenth, and eleventh graders before growing to its maximum capacity of 600 students in the 2009-2010 school year. CICS Ralph Ellison’s students are 98% African-American and 2% Hispanic. CICS Ralph Ellison is the second Chicago International high school to receive support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The funding supports start-up as well as the continued CICS curriculum development.
Chicago International Ralph Ellison dedicates itself to offering students a college preparatory education emphasizing the three R's: Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships. Moreover, the CICS Ellison curriculum is made up of three main components, skills, content and integration. It is the commitment to doctrines such as these that ensure the success of Ellison students.
In addition to providing excellent academic opportunities, CICS Ralph Ellison offers an array of extra-curricular activities including:
• African History Club
• Ambassadors
• Chess Club
• Drama Club
• Male Mentoring Club
• Newspaper
• Student Government
• Technology Club
• Yearbook
Chicago International Ralph Ellison also offers opportunities to participate in athletics including basketball, flag football, cross country and track. CICS Ralph Ellison continues to make a name for itself in its implementation of unique programming committed to student excellence. One such program, Low Ropes, is an experiential series of activities, including games, obstacles and initiatives, which foster cooperation and leadership while allowing students to have fun and get to know each other on different levels.
To top off our uniqueness, CICS Ellison boasts talented, dedicated and well learned faculty and teachers. 55% of Ellison teachers hold a Master’s degree and an additional 18% are currently enrolled in Master’s programs. The high teacher qualifications and dedication to student success led 98% of Ralph Ellison parents to believe that their students are encouraged to do their best work. Although still in it's early years, CICS Ellison already serves as a leader for Chicago charter schools and will continue to inspire other schools to set high standards and demand excellence from students.
Visit our Campuses page for Chicago Ralph Ellison contact information or the Ralph Ellison website for more information about CICS Ellison.
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