Our Community, Our Need

ACT Charter School exists to provide Chicago's students with a quality, college-preparatory education that makes attending and completing college an achievable goal. Our school serves 358 predominantly African-American students, many from the surrounding neighborhood of West Garfield Park (WGP). Approximately 95% of ACT's student population comes from low-income homes.

Unfortunately, our west side neighborhood is best known for its prevalence of gangs, drugs, violence, and other symptoms of poverty. In June 2001, the Chicago Tribune cited WGP as, "the most dangerous Chicago neighborhood to be a kid". In addition to a high rate of criminal activity is a high rate of unemployment (22%) (more than double the rate for the City of Chicago) and a decreasing demand for industrial jobs throughout Chicago's West Side.

According to the 2000 Census:

• Median household income for WGP residents: $23,121
• 19% of WGP households (6,866) received public assistance
• High school diploma or equivalency (age 25 and over): only 32%
• Post-secondary education: a mere 5%

These figures represent the challenging reality that many of our students and their families face. ACT must continue to provide college preparation so that children growing up in and around West Garfield Park can continue to widen their career and academic options after graduation.

As a charter school, ACT receives $7,424 per student or just 82 cents for each dollar designated for non-charter, public school students. For that reason, additional funding from corporate, foundation, and individual supporters is needed so that ACT can continue to provide high-level academic programming and facility maintenance for our students. Your generosity allows ACT to continue its mission to build capacity and give back intellectual capital to the West Garfield Park community.

Click here to read ACT's 2008-09 CASE FOR SUPPORT

The Little Family: Sheldon, 11th grade, Darrius, 12th grade, and Demetrius, 9th grade

Your support will directly enable us to meet or goals for the 2008-09 school year and beyond. The following priority areas have been identified for ongoing support:

• General Operations
• Physical Plant
• Curriculum Development
• High School Mathematics
• The Literacy Program
• The Career Development Program