Considering its $7.4 million price tag in 1968, Kenwood Academy was Chicago’s most expensive high school. Today we stand before Kenwood Academy. It is a comprehensive public four-year high school. Kenwood also has a middle school magnet program for gifted students.
Kenwood Academy sits in the Kenwood neighborhood. It is on Chicago’s south side. The Chicago Public Schools district operates Kenwood. Kenwood first opened in temporary spaces in 1966. Its permanent building opened in 1969.
The planning for Kenwood High School started November 3, 1965. At that time it was called Kenwood High School. Chicago Public Schools felt a need for a modernized high school. This was due to the baby boom’s final years.
There was intense community interest in building Kenwood High School. People in Hyde Park, Kenwood, and Woodlawn were concerned. They worried about the impact on racial composition. Before Kenwood High School, all students attended Hyde Park High School. Some activists wanted to expand Hyde Park High School. They thought a new school would segregate the schools.
The Chicago Board of Education approved Kenwood High School on November 17, 1966. Construction began in March 1968. The school opened in September 1969. It had 700 students then. In its first decade, the school was 79% African-American and 21% White. Today it is 84% African-American, 5% white, 4% Hispanic, 3% Asian, and 4% multi-racial.
Elizabeth Mollahan-Jochner was the first principal. She had been principal of Kenwood Upper Grade Center. She remained principal for 18 years. In 1977, the Chicago Board of Education designated Kenwood an “academy.” It was also named a “school of distinction”.
Kenwood Academy’s mission is “Our mission is COLLEGE!” Kenwood is rated 7 out of 10 by GreatSchools.org.
Kenwood Academy has an Academic Center Program. It introduces 7th and 8th graders to high school. These students take high school courses early. Seniors in this program can take tuition-free courses at the University of Chicago. The Academic Center is now in the former Canter Middle School building.
Kenwood Academy students can access University of Chicago resources. University students and professors work with Kenwood students. One example is the Kenwood Project. It pairs Kenwood Academy juniors with University of Chicago professors.
The Kenwood Academy Concert Choir has performed widely. They have shared billings with Denzel Washington and The Winans. The choir has also performed for President Barack Obama. Kenwood Academy Bands include Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, and Concert Band. The Marching Band is known as the “Marching Broncos.”
Kenwood competes in the Chicago Public League. Its athletic teams are called the “Broncos.” The football field is not regulation size. So, no home games are played there.
In February 1970, 22 students were arrested. They staged a sit-in outside the principal’s office. They wanted a student body and a social room named after Fred Hampton. In February 1972, Cornell Fitzpatrick was shot at the school. A police officer working security shot him.
Notable Kenwood Academy alumni include Walter S. Arnold, Da Brat, and Mandy Patinkin. Karen Lewis, president of the Chicago Teachers Union, also attended Kenwood. Lena McLin was a music teacher and head of the music department.
Kenwood Academy has evolved. It began as Kenwood School in 1889. It transitioned to Kenwood High School in 1966. Today it continues to serve its students and community.