ChiArts Update: School Board Chooses Independence from Chicago Public Schools, Future Uncertain

CHICAGO (WLS) — Concerns are arising over the sustainability of Chicago’s sole arts-focused public high school. The governing board for the Chicago High School for the Arts has opted not to extend its contract with Chicago Public Schools.

Students walked out of class in protest Friday.

The school sits on the edge of Humboldt Park on Chicago’s West Side.

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Parents and students experienced heightened emotions on Friday at ChiArts upon learning that the school’s future is currently uncertain. It is scheduled to remain operational through the end of the academic year.

“This was a blindsided slap,” school parent Rousemary Vega said. “We want CPS to preserve the school of the arts, it’s what we need them to do.”

They were informed on Thursday that the Chicago High School of the Arts Board of Directors chose not to apply for a renewal of its contract with Chicago Public Schools.

According to CPS, they have been collaborating with ChiArts, which, as a CPS-managed contract school, is experiencing financial challenges. CPS finances the academic expenses, while the ChiArts Foundation provides for the arts-related costs.

Situated in Humboldt Park, this high school offers a distinctive educational model, allowing students to pursue both academics and specialized arts training.

“Usually, acting classes require thousands of dollars,” remarked freshman student Zamara Ramos. “I don’t know about others, but I can’t afford thousands for acting and singing classes. That’s why I chose this school.”

Students staged a sit-in at the school on Friday. Other students also briefly walked out the school to make their voices heard.

“This school is the only place where I feel accepted,” freshman student Olivia Bonilla said.

“We genuinely do not know where to go if ChiArts closes down,” freshman student Mia Moncada said.

ChiArts Principal Nestor Corona stepped outside the school on Friday, but refused to answer questions from members of the media.

ChiArts serves about 550 students.

On Monday, the school will have a parent meeting to answer further questions, one of many meetings that is expected as school leadership weighs out its future.

A CPS spokesperson issued the following statement:
“At this stage, 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. CPS will continue to collaborate with the ChiArts Board of Directors, school leadership, staff, students, and families throughout this process.” – CPS Spokesperson

The ChiArts School Board issued the following statement:
“We are proud that ChiArts has provided high-quality education and intensive pre-professional arts training to CPS students for the past 15 years. As a premier free, public, pre-professional arts high school, ChiArts has shaped the lives of thousands of “scholar-artists” from every Chicago neighborhood. In fact, more than 60% of ChiArts graduates pursue careers in the arts, while all contribute to the cultural vitality, diversity, and economic strength of Chicago’s arts community. In recent years, ChiArts’ operations funding has posed significant challenges. Despite careful fiscal management and the school’s strong enrollment, the school faces funding shortfalls amid rising operating costs, leading to a recurring, unsustainable deficit. After thorough analysis and deliberation, the ChiArts Board recently notified Chicago Public Schools that we cannot meet the financial requirements of the contract renewal agreement with CPS. As a result, we are not submitting a renewal application based on the existing terms. It is essential to know that ChiArts is fully funded through the academic year ending June 2026. This development will not affect students in this academic year. We are pleased that CPS is committed to collaborating to pursue a new, sustainable operating model for ChiArts beginning next school year. Our goal is clear: to help secure ChiArts’ future so it may continue changing the lives of talented Chicago youth through public, pre-professional arts education. We will do all we can to help ensure its and its students’ future success.”