The board that oversees the Chicago High School for the Arts has decided not to renew its contract with Chicago Public Schools, casting doubt on the future of the city’s only arts-focused public high school.
In a message to families, ChiArts Executive Director Tina Boyer Brown and principal Néstor Corona said “increasing financial challenges” led the board to its “very difficult” decision, adding that rising operating costs have led to an “unsustainable” deficit.
“This means the board will not manage the school after the end of this school year,” the message said.
It assured parents that the decision will not affect the current school year. It said school leadership is “working hand in hand with CPS to secure a long-term solution that continues ChiArts’ unique conservatory model.” The school, which sits on the edge of Humboldt Park on Chicago’s West Side, enrolls about 550 students and opened in 2009.
ChiArts is a privately managed contract school – similar to a charter – funded by public and donor dollars. The five-hour academic portion of students’ days is paid for with public money, and three hours of arts education each day is paid for through a foundation that is supported by donors.
CPS said that no decisions have been made about the school’s long-term future.
“Any decisions about the school’s future will require more review, conversations, and collaboration,” the district said in a statement.
This is the second privately-run, publicly-funded school to announce this school year that it plans to close in June. The board of Epic Charter School in South Chicago voted last month to close.
It comes after the Chicago Board of Education took the extraordinary step of saving five charter schools that were part of the Acero network from closing last year. Charter schools have struggled as their enrollment plummet.
Michilla Blaise, who represents District 5 on the West Side, said the school board should not have to grapple with so many instances in which the school district is being asked to take over charter schools.
“The idea of a charter operator being able to close down successful schools that are making a difference in children, family, community, lives, is ridiculous,” she said. “We ought to be better prepared.”
There will be many factors to consider when deciding whether to take over ChiArts, including whether the cash-strapped school district can afford it and whether the district can support ChiArts’ unique model.
Kendyl Holman, 15, of Bronzeville, said she heard of the school’s possible closure Thursday, and the news has been the talk of the school the whole day.
Holman said her plan was to hone her art skills at ChiArts so she could get a scholarship to study art after graduation. A possible closure would add wrinkles to that plan, as she now needs to start looking at other schools to transfer to, she said.
While the school can be challenging at times, “there’s a big community here,” with its conservatory setting, Holman said.
In January 2024 the CPS board approved a contract renewal of two years for ChiArts through June 30, 2026. At the time it was recommended for only a two-year renewal because it received a `does not meet standards’ rating in the Financial and Operational performance evaluation.
School leaders and CPS said they will host town halls with families to discuss the move. The school is hosting a virtual meeting Thursday and an in-person gathering Oct. 6. Another virtual meeting is slated for Oct. 7.
