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41-635: The school was proposed to the Chicago Board of Education multiple times but ultimately rejected. This led to protests and boycotts from many Mexican students and families. Finally, in June 1974, the Chicago Board of Education approved $ 8.9 million in funding to build a high school in Pilsen. Benito Juarez Community Academy opened in 1977 and as of 2017 has a 94 percent Latino student body. The school

82-476: A dispute about their gang affiliation. Two other students were wounded by gunfire. The shooting took place shortly after the end of the school day, as students were walking out of school. It occurred outside the school's buildings, at a pathway. On June 17, 2024, Christian Acevedo, a former student, was charged with multiple offenses, being the shooter. He faced charges including two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, aggravated discharge of

123-462: A high school in Pilsen. By September 1974, due to business owners wanting to increase the final payments made out to them from the loss of their businesses and factory workers who themselves were parents not wishing to lose their jobs, CPS had not yet begun construction of Juarez; this prompted area parents and students to protest and ask the workers and business owners to reconsider their stances. Additional boycotts and use of "freedom schools" instead of

164-604: A significant milestone as its graduates earned a remarkable $ 26 million in college scholarships. Notable among these were scholarships from prestigious organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation , the Posse Foundation , and the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois. These scholarships provided full tuition coverage for undergraduate and graduate degrees, offering life-changing opportunities for

205-652: A weapon on school grounds, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and multiple counts of unlawful weapon use. He was tried as an adult and sentenced to 20 years for each murder charge, with a requirement to serve at least 85% of the sentence for attempted murder. Additionally, he received a consecutive 46-year sentence. On May 9, 2024, the popular Mexican band Eslabon Armado made a surprise appearance at Juarez, distributing free tickets to students for an upcoming concert at Allstate Arena . The band, known for record-breaking releases such as “ Ella Baila Sola ” and collaborations with artists like Peso Pluma and Junior H , appeared in

246-404: Is centered around a three-story patio intended as a point of assembly for students and a community center, and the design features similar to Aztec pyramids were intended as a homage to Mexican culture . The school includes "La Esperanza," a 1979 mural depicting the struggle for Mexican-American young people. It was professionally commissioned by mothers who had advocated for the construction of

287-515: Is decorated with murals and statues that portray Mexican culture and famous leaders. Prior to the opening of Juarez, Pilsen area students attended Carter Harrison Technical High School . The Pilsen community asked for a senior high school of their own since the students had to cross gang territory to get to Harrison. Other factors included racial tensions at Harrison itself and Pilsen parents worrying about their children getting into trouble away from their watch. A March 1972 boycott of two area schools,

328-849: Is one of many schools to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program to incoming students. 11th and 12th graders (Juniors, Seniors) can be enrolled into IB's Diploma Programme (DP), a two-year educational programme intended to better prepare students for college. Additional programs offered by the school include Advanced Placement (AP) courses in Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Chinese Language and Culture, Computer Science, English Language and Composition, English Literature, European History, Physics, Psychology, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, Statistics, Studio Art–Drawing, Studio Art 2–D Design, U.S. Government/Politics and United States History. Benito Juarez Community Academy

369-580: Is rated a 3 out of 10 by GreatSchools.org , a national school quality information site. GreatSchools’ Summary Rating is based on four of the school’s themed ratings: the Test Score Rating, Student or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, and Equity Rating and flags for discipline and attendance disparities at a school. The school provides a diverse range of extracurricular activities that students can participate in after school on specific days. Information on schedules are available on

410-732: The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) for middle school students. This expansion was complemented in 2008 with the creation of the National Elementary Honor Society , a collaboration between the NASSP and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), aimed at elementary school students. The NHS operates through a decentralized model, granting autonomy to local chapters for innovation and adaptation within

451-672: The board of education (school board) for the Chicago Public Schools . The board traces its origins to the Board of School Inspectors, created in 1837. The board is currently appointed solely by the mayor of Chicago . Between 2024 and 2027, the board is slated to transition to consist entirely of elected members. On May 12, 1837, the Chicago Common Council (as the Chicago City Council

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492-456: The Board of education members from the ten new districts without incumbents. The members elected in this election will serve four-year terms beginning in January 2027. Resultantly, beginning in January 2027, each geographic district will be represented by a single elected member. Also in 2026, the board's president will be elected at-large to a four-year term. The legislation dictates that

533-502: The Chicago City Council. With the exception of the president, each of the appointed members will hail from a different one of the ten electoral districts used for the 2024 Board of Education election . The 2024 election will be the first time in Chicago's history that the city will hold a school board election. Per the legislation, in 2026 , the number of electoral districts will be increased to twenty, and an election will be held for

574-624: The Common Council The Cities and Villages Act of 1872 made further clear the relationship between the roles of the Common Council and the Chicago Board of Education, strengthening the power of the Chicago Board of Education. The board expanded ultimately to 21 members, before being reduced by the 1917 Otis Bill to eleven members. The term of office was increased by the Otis bill from three years to five. In 1988,

615-527: The Froebel branch of Harrison and Jirka School, from Mexican origin people gave impetus to have Juarez built. Teresa Fraga , Mary Gonzales and Raquel Guerrero are the three founding mothers of Benito Juarez Community High School. Gonzales was the head of the Pilsen Neighbors group. In the late 1960s, the three mothers shared concerns for their own children when the only public high school available

656-471: The NHS is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to recognize outstanding students, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of secondary schools. Membership in local NHS chapters is an honor bestowed upon a student by a Faculty Council and is based on the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Once selected, members have

697-451: The convention of having twenty members from geographic districts plus a board president elected at-large will remain place thereafter. The Board of education will see members from ten of its geographic districts up for election every two-years. The electoral districts that will be used for Board of Education elections will have their boundaries drawn by Illinois General Assembly. With its 21 members, Chicago's Board of Education will become

738-425: The current board (as of July 2023): The Chicago Board of Education is led by a president. The current President of the Chicago Board of Education is Jianan Shi, who was formerly the president of the parent advocacy group Raise Your Hand Illinois. Since the 1995 Chicago School Reform Amendatory Act went into effect, the president has been directly appointed by the mayor of Chicago, rather than being elected among

779-768: The framework of the NHS National Constitution. This approach allows chapters to address specific local needs while adhering to the overarching principles of the organization. The operational management of the NHS is overseen by the NASSP, with strategic guidance provided by the NASSP Board of Directors. This structure ensures the continuity of Rynearson's vision and the organization's impact on students' lives. The four pillars of NHS are Scholarship, Character, Leadership, and Service. Its colors are blue and gold. National Honor Society chapters operate in all fifty states, territories, and many schools around

820-473: The largest school board among major cities in the United States by number of members. Under the new law, newly elected members take office on January 15. If vacancies arise on the Board of Education, the remainder of the vacant seat's unexpired term will be filled by a mayoral appointee, with appointees being subject to the approval of the Chicago City Council. The following table lists the members of

861-571: The mayor of Chicago authority to appoint board members. In a charter passed by the Illinois General Assembly on February 13, 1863, the Chicago Board of Education was granted exclusive power over operating the city's schools. Greater administrative control was given to the board in 1865, when the General Assembly amended the 1863 charter, including moving control over the school fund, which had previously belonged to

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902-489: The mayor would gain the power to appoint the members with city council approval. In 1855, the authority to remove the superintendent of Chicago Public Schools was given to the Board of School Inspectors by the same ordinance which created the city's first high school. In 1857, the school board was renamed the Chicago Board of Education under the passage of a new school charter by the Illinois General Assembly, which also increased its membership from seven to fifteen and gave

943-504: The members of the board. Beginning with the 2026 Chicago Board of Education elections, after which the Board of Education is slated to become an entirely-elected board, the president will be elected at-large. National Honor Society The National Honor Society ( NHS ) is one of the oldest, largest, and most widely recognized cocurricular student organizations in American high schools, with 1.4 million members. The purpose of

984-420: The ongoing success of Benito Juarez Community Academy in empowering its students and preparing them for bright futures beyond high school. In February 2022, Juarez became the first of five schools to partner with Hope Chicago . All students who were enrolled at the time of the announcement received fully-funded scholarships for Hope Chicago's 20 partner colleges, universities and other education programs across

1025-456: The parents were opposed to that idea. When the school opened, the faculty had originated from other Chicago schools. The formal dedication occurred on September 16, 1977. The CPS superintendent, Joseph Hannon, attended and stated that the Juarez school represented "a community that would not take 'no' for an answer." René Luis Alvarez, a professor at Northeastern Illinois University , stated that

1066-526: The power to appoint members of the board back to the Mayor of Chicago. The Act also temporarily retitled the board as the "Reform Board of Trustees" from 1995 until July 1, 1999, after which period the name "Chicago Board of Education" was restored. On July 29, 2021, governor J. B. Pritzker signed into law HB 2908, legislation that will make it so that, by 2027, the Board of Education will consist entirely of elected members. The legislation will also expand

1107-430: The recipients. Despite facing significant socioeconomic challenges, with 97 percent of students being low income and 95 percent Hispanic, the graduates demonstrated exceptional resilience and determination. The school credited its dedicated teachers, counselors, and staff for their transformative efforts, resulting in over 100 students graduating with National Honors Society distinction that year. This achievement reflected

1148-416: The regular public schools occurred. In 1975 CPS acquired the land and in 1976 it selected the architect. The city closed Blue Island to prepare for the construction of the school. The contractors who had the school built were Mexican-American. Some University of Illinois Chicago students suggested naming the school after Emiliano Zapata , Che Guevara , or another revolutionary of Latin American origin, but

1189-575: The responsibility to continue to demonstrate these qualities. The National Honor Society was established on March 1, 1921 by Dr. Edward Rynearson , a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) , which is the parent organization of the NHS. Rynearson, then the principal of Fifth Avenue High School in Pittsburgh, PA, envisioned an organization that would balance academics and athletics while emphasizing

1230-406: The role of high schools as a foundation for democracy. Prior to the establishment of the NHS, numerous local and regional honor societies existed, but the NHS was the first organization of its kind with a national scope. Since its inception, the NHS has expanded significantly, with over 17,000 active chapters across the United States and beyond. In 1929, the NHS furthered its reach by introducing

1271-435: The school's cafeteria during 4th period, where they were met with a large incoming crowd of students from all parts of the school. The band also visited Curie High School on this day. Tickets and posters for the event were being distributed, and the band was also seen signing a guitar for a student. The school is located at Blue Island and Cermak avenues. The campus was designed by Mexican architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez ; it

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1312-465: The school's establishment, "[i]n many ways", originated from the Chicano movement and its desire for greater recognition of Mexican-American history and identity. The school was established in 1977. During the opening ceremony, a bust sculpture of Juárez and the flag of Mexico were presented, and the anthems of the United States and of Mexico were both played. The choice of the day of the ceremony

1353-749: The school's website. Below is a list of extracurricular activities that have been available to students over time. (For an up-to-date list, refer to the school's website): Juarez competes in the Chicago Public League (CPL) and is a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). The school's sport teams are nicknamed Eagles. Juarez boys' cross country were Class AA in 1995–96. The boys' soccer team were Public league champions in 1995–96, Class AA in 2007–08 and Class 2A in 2010–11. Chicago Board of Education The Chicago Board of Education serves as

1394-410: The school. The artists were Malú Ortega y Alberro, Jimmy Longoria, Oscar Moya, Marcos Raya , Robert Valadez, and Salvador Vega. Various other murals with Mexican nationalist and pre-Columbian motifs were painted by Mexican-American artists. Juarez was expanded in 2010 to include a larger campus, an auditorium, and a soccer field. Technology is integrated, and there are ten modern computer labs. Juarez

1435-413: The size of the board to 21 members (including the president). Per the legislation, in a November 2024 election, ten elected members will be elected from ten geographic districts to four-year terms that will begin in January 2025. From January 2025 through January 2027, these elected members will serve alongside 11 members (including the board's president) appointed by the mayor, subject to the approval of

1476-597: The state government enacted the Chicago School Reform Act, which expanded the Chicago Board of Education's size to fifteen seats. The Act also created a School Board Nominating Commission consisting 23 parents and community members and five members appointed by the Mayor of Chicago who would recommend nominees to the Mayor. In 1995, the state government enacted the Chicago School Reform Amendatory Act, which returned

1517-405: The state of Illinois. Governor JB Pritzker was present in the school building during the surprise announcement. By the end of the week, an estimated total of 4,000 students received debt-free scholarships across five different high schools also partnered with Hope Chicago. On December 16, 2022, Brandon Perez, aged 15, and Nathan Billegas, aged 14, were killed by gunfire on school grounds following

1558-565: The world, engaging and serving more than 1.4 million students. Each year, the average NHS chapter contributes: Since 1946, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has awarded more than $ 23 million in scholarships to outstanding NHS seniors. Each year, NASSP awards $ 2 million in scholarships to 600 students, including one National Winner ($ 25,000), four NHS Pillar Winners ($ 10,625) 20 national finalists ($ 5,625 each), and 575 national semifinalists ($ 3,200 each). Scholarship recipients are selected based on their demonstration of

1599-538: Was Harrison High school. Harrison high school was located in a neighborhood plagued with gang territory and racial tension between African Americans and Mexican Americans. The mothers wanted a safe and conducive school for Spanish speaking students. In June 1973 the Chicago Board of Education approved the construction of Juarez, and the board selected the location in September of that year. In June 1974, Chicago's Board of Education approved $ 8.9 million in funding to build

1640-438: Was called at the time) used their powers as ex-officio commissioners of schools to appoint the first Board of School Inspectors, the city's school board. Despite the existence of this board, the Common Council however had ultimate power of acting as the de facto school board in the early decades under 1839 legislation. The Common Council initially held the authority to the members of the Board of School Inspectors. Ultimately,

1681-555: Was influenced by the fact that September 16 is the anniversary of the Cry of Dolores , the Mexican independence day, as well as near the beginning of the school year in Chicago. In its first year the school had grades 9–11, with 12th grade coming later. By 1997 CPS officials were considering expanding Juarez since it became one of the most crowded community high schools in Chicago. In 2016, Benito Juarez Community Academy in Pilsen celebrated

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