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Admissions

Morgan Park’s Academic Center is one of four Academic Centers on the south side of Chicago. The three others are Kenwood Academy, Brooks and Lindblom.

In 2015-2016, the average admissions score for Morgan Park’s Academic Center fell 30 points from 679 to 649 on the 900 point admissions scale. For the first time, CPS used the more rigorous MAP test as the 5th grade standardized test in its admissions formula. This change significantly lowered average admissions scores for the less competitive Academic Centers.

In the most recent admissions cycle (2016-2017), average admissions scores were flat (-2 points) despite a strong recovery in mean Tier 1 scores (+52 points). Morgan Park continues to struggle to attract sufficient numbers of qualified applicants from most Tiers and has a particularly difficult time attracting academically talented Tier 4 middle class students. In the most recent admissions cycle, the mean for Tier 4 students was only 619 points on the 900 point admissions scale. Despite the quality of the middle school program, the declining quality of Morgan Park High School has pulled down the Academic Center’s appeal.

For the past seven years, CPS has been using a socioeconomic Tier system to select students for all of its selective admissions schools, including Academic Centers. Currently, thirty percent of seats are allocated to students with the highest academic performance citywide – regardless of their “socioeconomic status”. The remaining seventy percent are allocated to each of four socioeconomic Tiers, with each Tier receiving 17.5%. Students compete for this portion based their academic performance in comparison with other students in their Tier.

Use of the Tier system has led to significant gaps in the academic achievement required for admissions between students from different parts of the City of Chicago. There is a particularly large gap between admissions scores of Tier 4 (the highest socioeconomic Tier) and Tier 1 (the lowest socioeconomic Tier) students – in the more competitive schools.

In 2016-2017, there was a gap of -35 points between the average score of an admitted Morgan Park Academic Center Tier 4 and Tier 1 student and a gap of -93 points between the cut-off scores of scores of a Tier 4 and Tier 1 student. The existence of a negative gap between the scores of Tier 4 and Tier 1 students is further evidence that a school is not attractive to academically talented middle class students.

Background/ Academics

In 2012, Morgan Park High School acquired a new principal, Carolyn Epps.

Morgan Park High School opened its doors in 1916 and has undergone several major expansions during its history. Currently it is in the midst of a major $10 million renovation which will help improve the school’s physical plant. Major features of this renovation include tuck-pointing and façade improvement, a revamping the electrical system, restoration of the auditorium, and new student lockers.

Unlike most schools hosting accelerated programs, Morgan Park Academic Center (and Lindblom’s Academic Center as well) follow a Track E schedule. Proponents of a Track E schedule claim that it helps minimize summer learning loss, which is a critical issue particularly for disadvantaged students.

Standardized tests administered to middle school CPS students are in a state of flux. The ACT organization has phased out the EXPLORE test which has been administered to 8th and 9th graders and has transitioned to the Aspire test. The ISAT has been phased out in favor of the PARCC and MAP test. As a result, the most up-to-date method of tracking school performance is the PARCC test. The PARCC is designed to measure student readiness for the next grade level’s work and subsequent college and career readiness. PARCC results also track with subsequent ACT performance.

Students who met or exceeded expectations are likely to be on track for the next grade level and ultimately for college and career readiness. In 2016, 65% of Morgan Park 8th graders met or exceeded standards in ELA (English Language Arts) however only 15% of students exceeded expectations. At the same time, 44% of Morgan Park Academic Center 8th graders met or exceeded and no students exceeded expectations in Mathematics.

For additional academic information about Morgan Park Academic Center, click here for a state report card.