Chicago school reformer

Some public school buildings in Chicago in the United States are extremely run-down, and as a result, many wealthy parents prefer to send their children to private schools. But a group of moms in one of the more privileged neighbourhoods of the city decided to completely spruce up their nearby school.  

Peeling paint, leaking pipes, and collapsed ceilings. This is the dire state of some public school buildings in the US city of Chicago. And part of why many wealthier parents there shun public schools, preferring expensive private schools instead.

Jacqueline Edelberg was one of those more privileged Chicago parents - and she went from a skeptic on the sidelines to full-fledged activist.

Affluent moms
It all started in the park. That's where the moms in Chicago's affluent Lakeview neighborhood took their kids, and fretted about school options. Nettlehorst, the neighborhood public school, was clearly NOT an option.

"We knew it was horrible. Because everybody knew it was horrible. Either they'd tell you it was being made into condos, or they'd say, oh yes, that's terrible. There's gangs, violence, no no no no no, it's not a suitable choice."

But looking outside of her neighbourhood didn't suit Jacqueline either.

"I want a neighbourhood school. I don't want my kids to have to sit on a bus for an hour every day, I want them to have play-dates and snack with little neighbourhood kids, just normal."

Desperate
Desperate to stay in their neighborhood, Jacqueline and her best friend Nicole Wagner decided to check out Nettlehorst anyway. And they found a faded but charming grade-school with decent test scores that beat the city average.

But Lakeview parents had already written the school off. The principal, Susan Kurland, asked what it would take to change that. So Jacqueline and Nicole created a huge to-do list:

Bring in the best arts providers in the city, painting every classroom, painting every bathroom, fundraising and grant writing...

Principal Kurland looked at their list and said,"well girls, we're going to have a very busy year."

So Jacqueline went to the park, and started recruiting. She devoted months of work to the school, and Nettlehorst became a near obsession, making its way into most of the hours in her days, and even her nights. But her efforts eventually paid off.

"Lakeview Rhapsody" on one of the  doorways to the school

Task force
After assembling a task force of neighborhood parents along with donations from local businesses, the Nettlehorst school was dramatically transformed. Visually, it went from being a rather rundown and ordinary red-brick building to a place that was full of color.

The entryway is decorated with maps and globes. Donated paint and volunteer painters have changed the basement level into a virtual underwater world. Community artists and museum quality displays have transformed other hallways, stairwells, and learning spaces in the school.

Academic improvements
These aesthetic transformations were accompanied by academic improvements. Test scores have risen and an arts and music program has been introduced and expanded. Other grants have introduced classical music in the cafeteria, a menu of healthy food, and a host of special programs and services.

Parents and community leaders continue to work together to raise funds and support the Nettlehorst school. Jacqueline can now marvel at how much has changed since her first conversations about the school with other parents in the neighborhood park.

"This wasn't an easy, given ride for us. And there were many naysayers along the way, and many, many things that went wrong. But at the end of the day, I think we have a lot to be proud of. And I think we have changed the fabric of this neighborhood for years and years and 
years to come."(Radio Netherlands)