“Let us teach!” Imagine those powerful words echoing from the steps right here at Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy. This cry for educational justice resonates deeply within these walls.
Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy stands in Chicago’s Little Village. Once known as Carter Harrison Technical High School, this building has a rich history. It continues to serve the community by educating students from kindergarten through eighth grade.
Carter Harrison Technical High School was named after Carter Harrison Sr. He was a five-term mayor of Chicago. Do not confuse him with his son, Carter Harrison Jr., who also served as mayor for five terms. Harrison Sr. also represented Illinois’s 2nd district in the United States House of Representatives. Sadly, he was assassinated in his home during his fifth term in 1893.
Back in its day, Harrison High School was a state-of-the-art facility. It accommodated nearly six thousand students. Classes ran throughout the day and evening. The school boasted 45 classrooms, 28 special classrooms, seven labs, an assembly hall, a gymnasium, and even a swimming pool.
Harrison High School produced remarkable scholars and athletes. Among them were Arthur Goldberg, a Supreme Court Justice, and Irwin Kostal, a Disney Legend. Al Brosky, a football great who played for the Chicago Cardinals and is in the College Hall of Fame, also walked these halls. Walt Kudzik, who played for the Washington Redskins, is another notable alumnus.
Today, as Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy, the tradition of excellence continues. It’s rated at the highest possible level, Level 1.
Maria Saucedo, the school’s namesake, was a respected bilingual educator. She worked in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. She was active in groups like Casa Atzlán and Mujeres Latinas. As an honors student at Northeastern Illinois University, she helped found the Chicano Student Union. Her life was tragically cut short in a fire in 1981.
In 2014, Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy became a focal point in the testing revolt. Teachers, parents, and community members united to boycott the Illinois Standards Achievement Test ISAT. They felt the endless standardized tests wasted valuable instruction time. Their collective action demonstrated a commitment to social and educational justice.
The Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy community continues to carry on Maria Saucedo’s legacy. It stands as a testament to her dedication to education and her fight for a better future for all children. The school is not just a building. It is a symbol of community, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of knowledge.