Students from each Chicagoland Excel Academy (Englewood, Roseland, Southwest, and South Shore) and the Safe Achieve Academy put their knowledge to the test last month in the highly anticipated Black History Quiz Bowl. Held in honor of Black History Month, this annual competition is a highlight of the school year for students who attend the schools, all part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network. In a fast-paced, quiz show-style competition, team members demonstrated their expertise on influential Black Americans and their lasting contributions to society. The game included 100 thought-provoking questions covering history, politics, arts, entertainment, science and discovery, [...]

The Excel Academies of Chicago, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, held a voter registration drive earlier this fall, that resulted in in 15 new registered voters. These students proudly cast their first time ballots in the 2024 presidential election, as well as many local races. “At Excel, we believe in empowering our students to make their voices heard,” said Ashanti Brooks, school clerk, Excel Academy of Roseland. “Voter registration and participation are key parts of civic duty and our team worked to ensure that eligible students understood the process and importance of being active [...]

This summer, Excel Academy of Chicago students, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, participated in the city-wide One Summer Chicago program. Over the course of six weeks, more than 110 students across Roseland, South Shore, Southwest, and Englewood Excel Academy schools explored new areas of the city, engaging in activities and opportunities that many had never been exposed to before. The One Summer Chicago program, funded by the City of Chicago and The Alternative Schools Network, provides youth ages 14-24 with part-time weekly employment and enrichment programs during the summer months. Anthony Haley [...]

Several members of the Excel Academy community recently participated in an important event hosted by the United Black Male Educators (UMBE) of Chicago Public Schools. Students along with Dr. Anthony Haley Jr., regional director, Chicago, and Tyree Booker, school director, Excel Academy Roseland, who are members of the UBME, attended the organization’s inaugural student empowerment conference. The landmark event, held at Olive Harvey Community College, aimed to educate, empower, and elevate Black male students in grades 7-12 from across the District and the city. The conference is one initiative by CPS that helps address the [...]