Replacing a 1950s-era school, the new John Hancock College Preparatory High School forms a community hub within Chicago’s Clearing neighborhood. With a school population that is 94% Hispanic, the team focused on diversity, inclusion and community in its approach.
“Addressing the cultural community was really important,” says Robin Randall, principal and director of PreK-12 education at Legat Architects. “We led community workshops in a bilingual format. We attended a community meeting at the previous school and were asked to stay for dinner, hosted by the community. It was a very heartwarming process because the community was so appreciative of having one of the first new high schools for Chicago Public Schools in a long time.”