Hyde Park Academy students criticized their school’s decision to end partnerships with community groups, according to a May 29 announcement. The move comes after the deaths of three classmates due to crashes and gun violence, which students say has increased their need for support resources.
The school, located at 6220 S. Stony Island Ave. in Woodlawn, had hosted a “peace room” since 2021 in collaboration with Southside Together and GoodKids MadCity. The space offered restorative justice sessions, youth advocacy training, and discussions about student life. Funding for the peace room began when the local school council removed one on-campus police officer.
Junior Iyanna Jackson said during a press conference that the peace room allowed students “to share their feelings [and] to talk about what they’re going through.” Principal Rosette Edinburg notified Southside Together staff by email on May 16 that “our partnership and the services provided to Hyde Park Academy High School will conclude, effective as of this communication,” without providing reasons for ending the partnership.
Chicago Public Schools spokesperson Sylvia Barragan said administrators ended partnerships with Southside Together and GoodKids MadCity because they no longer “align with the specific needs of the school community.” Barragan also said that while the peace room remains open for students and staff, these organizations are not active district vendors. Students expressed feeling unsafe and unsupported following recent tragedies involving classmates Violet Harris, Lania Smith, and Eric Billups.
Barragan said Hyde Park Academy continues to provide social and emotional support through an on-site counselor, student-led peace circles, and staff-facilitated mental health assistance or referrals. Edinburg also moved to end an arts residency program with the Museum of Contemporary Art; however, museum spokesperson Manuel Venegas stated that “the artist-in-residency partnership between the MCA and Hyde Park Academy remains unchanged,” as part of a three-year collaboration.
After voicing concerns at a press conference near campus Thursday, some students were threatened with suspension but were later told there would be no suspensions. Students plan further advocacy at upcoming Chicago Board of Education meetings and local school council sessions.