ISBE Results for Chicago International Charter School (CICS) Shows Growth Outpacing Illinois Schools

This week, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) unveiled its latest Illinois School Report Card summative designations, which are designed to help school communities better understand how well a school is serving its students. The designations are a key component of Illinois’ school accountability system and they allow networks, like CICS, to understand better our strengths, areas for growth, and performance of all public schools across Illinois.  

Leading and Innovating a Culture Through Basketball at CICS Longwood High School

Growing up on the Southside of Chicago, Keyon Smothers, CICS Longwood Head Basketball Coach, defied the odds and found solace in the game of basketball on and off the court. 

Keyon, also known to many as Coach Keys, discovered his passion for basketball at a young age and knew the game would play a key part in his life. Since this discovery, Coach Keys has gone on to build a name for himself in Chicago and also competed at the collegiate level at LeMoyne Owen College, a historically black college in Memphis, Tennessee. After leaving the court, Coach Keys returned home and coaching soon became a part of his life. Now, he is leading the charge in establishing a new culture for CICS Longwood’sathletic program. 

When Coach Keys first came to CICS Longwood High School in 2019 he quickly realized that the basketball program at Longwood could be something special and was determined to bring his vision to reality and build a powerhouse program. Since his inception as head coach, he has helped several players receive basketball scholarships, led the program to a 2A Regional Championship, was nominated as the 2022 IBCA District 3 Co-Coach Of the Year and earned the program a spot in one of the most competitive conferences in the state, the Red-South Conference, amongst many more honors and accomplishments. 

Although Coach Keys has several prestigious accomplishments as a coach and player, it is coaching that has brought him the most fulfillment. Being able to mentor, lead and teach students at CICS gives him more gratification than any successful record. A testament to this is how well the program carries itself. Players are held to high academic expectations, display discipline in and out of school, and operate with a strong mindset of “team”. These are the main reasons why Coach Keys feels the program stands out from the rest. “Building a culture of good character is hard, but maintaining it is even more challenging,” shares Keys.  That is why he also prioritizes the time that his staff and teammates spend together outside of school;  Chicago White Sox games, mentorship from Chicago Bears players, giving back to the community, or just simply enjoying one another’s time.   

This season you can expect a lot of great things from CICS Longwood’s basketball team and many are already buzzing with excitement. The Midnight Madness had the team showcase their skills with a slam dunk contest and a three-point basketball shootout, but there was also a dance performance from Longwood’s dance team and several other student musical performances. Be sure to come out and support the CICS Longwood Panthers 2022-2023 season and see the magic on the court for yourself. 

Check out the 2022-2023 Longwood Panthers schedule here.

Reflecting on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and His Legacy

This year marks the 26th anniversary of the United States honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s  life and legacy as a civil rights leader. More than ever, we need a moment to reflect on what still needs to be done to honor him from both a human and civil rights perspective. To celebrate this day, Taquia Hylton, CICS Ralph Ellison School Director, offers her reflection on the importance of this holiday, and discusses the need to continue Dr. King’s work of justice and equality for all. 

On the morning of January 7,  a day after the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, I woke up with the words from "The U.S Pledge of Allegiance'' on my mind. I remember thinking over and over the words, "one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all". I thought to myself, Francis Bellamy probably didn’t write this with black and brown children in mind. This anthem still does not ring true. It doesn’t feel like the citizens in this nation have been indivisible at all. Our country seems to be more divided than ever before. Why? Because, what we have seen in the last few weeks (and over four years) is the result of divisive rhetoric from the country's 45th Commander In Chief. His words drove hundreds of "U.S. citizens'' to storm a building that should have been impenetrable, the symbol and meeting place of our democracy.  

As an educator, when I think about liberty and justice I am drawn to each term's formal definitions. What is justice? Merriam Webster defines it as "the quality of being just, impartial, or fair." Liberty is defined as "the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges." Then, I reflected on the positives that came out of the day instead of the disheartening images that flooded every imaginable news media outlet.  I chuckled as "liberty" and "justice" presented themselves in the state of Georgia via the results of the Senate election.  

Just a day before the insurrection, the people of Georgia exercised their liberties at their polling places. As a result, Reverend Raphael Warnock, the senior pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, the same church where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached, was elected the first African American Senator from the State of Georgia. We have come a long way! It brought me a sense of joy knowing Dr. King’s hard fought journey for the equal rights of African Americans became a reality with the election of Reverend Warnock. But more needs to be done. 

As we celebrate Dr. King's life and legacy, I am grateful for the contributions that he and so many others have made for black people to be able to experience liberty and justice. Though African Americans have made incremental steps in society, we have a long way to go. In the words of Dr. King, "No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream." Justice is NOT for "just us" nor is it exclusive of the black and brown community.  It is for ALL of us! Like Dr. King, I have that dream too.  

Taquia Hylton

Principal 

School closure extended through April 20

Dear CICS families, 

 Minutes ago, Mayor Lightfoot announced that all CPS schools will remain closed through April 20. Given the necessity of this action to protect the health and well-being of our students, families and communities, CICS will follow suit. Please note that our previously scheduled Spring Break from April 6 through April 10 will continue as planned and we will not provide teacher-directed instruction during that week. We will follow up with more details and guidance as we learn more, but please know that we are committed to supporting our students throughout this extended closure.

These are unprecedented times and I urge you to please stay informed and take care of yourselves, as we will all be in this for what feels like a very long haul. 

Take care, 

Elizabeth

__________________

[Spanish Translation]

Asunto:  Cierre de la escuela extendido hasta el 20 de abril.

Estimadas familias de CICS:

Hace solo unos minutos, el alcalde Lightfoot anuncio que todas las escuelas de CPS permanecerán cerradas hasta el 20 de abril. Dada la necesidad de esta acción para proteger la salud y el bienestar de nuestros estudiantes, familias y comunidades, CICS hará lo mismo. Tenga en cuenta que nuestras vacaciones de primavera programadas previamente del 6 al 10 de abril continuarán según lo planeado y no proporcionaremos instrucción durante esa semana. Seguiremos con más detalles y orientación a medida que aprendamos más, pero tenga en cuenta que estamos comprometidos a apoyar a nuestros estudiantes durante este cierre prolongado.

Estos son tiempos sin precedentes y les insto a que se mantengan informados y se cuiden, ya que todos estaremos en esto por lo que parece ser un viaje muy largo.

Cuídanse, 

Elizabeth

Two CICS Leaders Selected for Chicago Urban League’s IMPACT Leadership Development Program

Chicago, Illinois (August 28, 2018) - Chicago International Charter School (CICS) is proud to announce that Stephan McClain, Co-CEO of CICS school management (SMO) partner, Empowered Community Schools, and LeeAndra Khan, CEO of SMO partner Civitas Education Partners have been selected as Fellows in the 2019 class of the Chicago Urban League’s IMPACT Leadership Development Program. Additionally, Darrious Hilmon, CICS’ Chief of External Affairs will serve as a program mentor.

Voices Blog: CICS Talent Visionary

Eddie Johnson, Managing Director of Talent for CICS, defines diversity beyond the common terms of race and gender. When there is an open role on our campuses, she also looks for a diversity of experiences in candidates for each position. During interviews she often asks potential employees to talk about their own cultural competencies, focusing on how the CICS value of equity resonates with each person. Mrs. Johnson believes that the lived experiences and cultural awareness of CICS teachers can provide our students with a wider view of the world. A diverse workforce also can have a deep and lasting influence on school culture.

Positive school culture is one of the cornerstones that Eddie Johnson identifies as one of the reasons that people choose to work on our campuses. Research from several recent studies have indicated that a value-based school culture (pro-active disciplinary practices, professional development, opportunities for growth and recognition) is as important as compensation. CICS has been collecting data to guide the talent team in understanding why educators choose CICS and how to ensure that our schools retain the best and most talented teachers. Mrs. Johnson was instrumental in creating and implementing a data-driven equity-based compensation model earlier this year. Prior to the pandemic shutdown, Mrs. Johnson had attended a number of recruitment fairs on college campuses and saw other school districts advertising their starting salaries. When she talked with students, she walked them through the CICS model which not only has compensation lanes but also offers a range of benefits that few charter schools can match. 

While professional development opportunities and parental leave benefits are important factors that influence teacher recruitment and retention, Mrs. Johnson believes that a positive school culture is still one of the strongest attractions of the CICS schools. The opportunity to share in the values of equity, diversity, innovation and positive change for students to what she believes brings talented professionals into our classrooms. She is confident that CICS’ continued investment in creating a culture where everyone can engage and learn will sustain its student-focused environment and continue to build a strong community that works together to help all students succeed.

Voices Blog: Shartia Jones - CICS Loomis-Longwood

Being authentic, motivating, caring and honest are important qualities to have and they are what makes me passionate about what I do. My journey at CICS Loomis-Longwood started in 2000 when I was invited by a friend to be a substitute teacher. I returned to Longwood-Loomis in 2019 after working for ten years at a state university grant-funded program that offered non-traditional teachers the opportunity to become teachers for ten years. I accepted a position as a Middle School 8th Grade ELA Teaching Apprentice, and the 8th Grade Events Planner and Parent Liaison and Coordinator. 

  • 1
  • 2
  • Online Application
  • CICS Network Staff Hub
  • FAQs
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • 2022-2023 Asbestos Management Plan Notification

Chicago International Charter School

11 E. Adams
Suite 600
Chicago, IL, 60603
  • P: (312) 651-5000
  • F: (312) 651-5001
  • E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Copyright ©2023 Chicago International Charter School. All rights reserved.