Holy Family Lutheran School (HFLS) was founded over 20 years ago specifically to provide the opportunity for minority children in Chicago's low-income neighborhoods to receive a first-class education.
Are we succeeding? Consider these facts:
Since 1985, we have stayed true to our mission. Holy Family's '08-'09 population of 182 K-8 students is 100% African-American. The majority of HFLS students reside in Austin, East & West Garfield Park, and N. Lawndale, areas that have historically had a significantly lower median income than the city of Chicago overall.
Holy Family was recently granted accreditation by the North Central Association of the Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, a testimony to Holy Family’s high academic standards. In fall 2008, Its principal, Cheryl Collins, was recognized by the National Association of Elementary School Principals as one of 65 Distinguished Principals nationally. At the same time, she was named ELCA Principal Of the Year.
At-risk children need a strong academic foundation, and more. Holy Family provides more by focusing intensely on students' academic, social, emotional, and spiritual development. We seek to educate children not simply for success in a school room but also for later success in work as well as in family and community life.
Children make academic progress at Holy Family! Below are the Iowa Test of Basic Skills national percentile rankings for children in their first year at Holy Family and then in their 8th grade (graduating) year.
| |
First year at HFLS |
Graduating year at HFLS |
| |
| Male Student |
24
(1st grade) |
74
(8th grade) |
| |
|
|
| Female Student #1 |
66
(2nd grade) |
91
(8th grade) |
| |
|
|
| Female Student #2 |
24
(1st grade) |
85
(8th grade) |
Special programs include:
- A partnership with Genesis Counseling Service provides on-site counseling and guidance services for all students.
- School-wide, students participate in the Second Step character education program.
- Breakfast and lunch programs are supported by the State of Illinois. 88% of students participate in these programs.
- Weekly chapel services inspire and motivate through rap, song, and storytelling led by well-known youth leader Leslie Hunter, followed by every student writing personal reflection on the Mr. Hunter’s message.
- HFLS is a site for the Hope Alive After School Program
Since it's founding, 87% of Holy Family's graduates have enrolled in private and selective public or charter college-prep high schools. This is important! System-wide, Chicago Public Schools high schools graduate approximately half of those who start as freshmen. On the West Side, 26% of African American male students graduated from high school in 2008.
Of Holy Family graduates from 1990 to 2004 surveyed recently, 91% of respondents reported being enrolled in college or having graduated from college. In contrast, 18% of African-Americans in the U.S. over the age of 25 hold a bachelor's degree, according to a 2007 National Urban League report.
In Chicago, just 37% of African-American public high school graduates went on to college from the graduating class of 2007, according to a June, 2008 report published in the Chicago Tribune.
If you want to get involved or help support Holy Family Lutheran
School's mission, click here.
Holy Family Lutheran School
Cheryl Collins, Principal
Marilyn Hawkins, Dean of Students
3415 West Arthington, Chicago, IL 60624
phone 773.265.0550 or 847.441.4115
fax 773.265.0508 or 847.441.4116
Email: info@holyfamilyministries.org
