noble's 2009 annual report

the noble network of charter schools, through the multiple high school campuses of noble street charter school, prepares chicago’s youth to function successfully in society by requiring and facilitating educational excellence, civicresponsibility and respect for the community, the environment and people from all walks of life.

e r u d i t i o s c h o l a r s h i p v e n e r a t i o h o n o r d i s c i p l i n a d i s c i p l i n e

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The Noble Network of Charter Schools’ vision is to provide a superior education to its students, and to achieve positive change in Chicago education by:

Ensuring the availability of high-quality school ■

choice to high school students in Chicago; and

Impacting traditional urban public education more■

broadly by opening additional Noble Street Charter School campuses and supporting the replication efforts of others.

The Noble Network will enact this vision by building high-quality campuses that provide choice to under-served Chicago families in order to:

Increase the academic performance of Chicago’s ■

diverse students;

Catalyze change in Chicago public education; and ■

Share successful practices with other educators ■

and administrators in Chicago and cities across the country.

In addition, Noble Street Charter School is dedicated to Noble Vision: 2020 – Preparing 2,020 New College Graduates by the Year 2020.

contentsLetter from the Chairman of the Board .................. 2

The Year in Review: Chicago Bulls College Prep and Muchin College Prep ............................... 3

Gary Comer College Prep.................................. 4

UIC College Prep ............................................. 5

Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy ................. 6

Golder College Prep ......................................... 7

Pritzker College Prep ........................................ 8

Rauner College Prep ....................................... 9

Noble Street College Prep ............................... 10

The Class of 2009 and Life After Noble ............. 11

Noble Street Charter School Overall Achievements ................................ 12

Contributors .................................................... 13

Board of Directors, Auxiliary Board & Administration .................................. 15

Looking Ahead ................................................. 16


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Sylvia Manning

Dear Friends:

With your support, this year the Noble Network of Charter Schools accomplished its initial goal set in 2005: to open six new high school campuses of Noble Street Charter School. Everyone in the Noble family – students, teachers, administrators, staff members, parents and supporters – played an active role in this accomplishment. Students and parents expressed their desire for choice in postsecondary education by choosing to enroll at a Noble campus and dedicate themselves to the tenets of the Noble Way – scholarship, discipline and honor. Teachers, administrators and staff members focus their work everyday on achievement of Noble’s mission to prepare every student for success in college and in life. As supporters, you are investors in these values and this mission, and we thank you graciously for your confidence in the important work of our students and teachers. This year, many Noble traditions grew and gained strength as our student body and teaching staff became larger and even more diverse. Teachers gathered at the end of each academic quarter to share best practices, resulting in stronger teaching at every campus and exciting improvement in academic results: this year’s junior class earned the highest average ACT score in Noble Street history. Students enjoyed friendly competition when they competed against one another in the Noble Sports League, and came together at events such as the Noble Serves Day of Service and the 7th Annual Noble Classic Fun Run & Walk. We were delighted that many supporters and community members visited our campuses to observe classes in session or partici-pated in Noble Street events. The opening of UIC College Prep and Gary Comer College Prep in fiscal year 2009 not only represented achievement of the Network’s initial goal, but also these milestones served to inspire the Network to consider its path in the future. In fiscal year 2010, the Network will open two high school campuses – Chicago Bulls College Prep and Muchin College Prep – and will also open a grammar school in cooperation with Northwestern University Settlement House. The opening of Chicago Bulls College Prep and Muchin College Prep will increase the Network’s at-capacity enrollment to nearly 5,200– close to 5% of high school students in the city. This year as these new campuses launch, the Board of Directors and Noble Network staff will launch and complete a new strategic plan. In completing the plan, we will consider the need for and impact of further growth as well as our desire to continue to increase the quality of a Noble education and the strength of our model as a driver of change in public education in Chicago and beyond. We look forward to sharing our strategic plan with you later this year, and thank you in advance for your continued support of our work.

Sincerely,

Sylvia ManningChair of the Board of Directors


in Memoriamthe noble street community lost a leader, mentor and exemplar of the scholarship, discipline and honor that is the noble Way this

year when dan vittum, Jr. lost a valiant fight with cancer. We remember dan in his role as Board chair from 1999 to 2009, but even more so as a regular presence in the hallways of our campuses; an active participant on noble street’s Mock trial team; an enthusiastic supporter of many students through the adopt-a-student program; and an advocate for noble street and charter schools in the city and beyond. dan shared every family’s euphoria when each graduate crossed the stage at noble street graduations, and his unfailing belief in the noble street mission and the impact that noble has and would have for students, families and education in general inspired us, and will continue to inspire us always.

teachers, administrators and staff members focus their work everyday on achievement of noble’s mission to prepare every student for success in college and in life.


Chicago Bulls College Prep and Muchin College Prep are results of the affirma-tive impact that Noble Street Charter School has on low-income, minority students in the Chicagoland area. With the opening of these new campuses, the Noble student population will reach about 3,500 students. The outstanding partnerships and the extremely qualified staff of each campus will add to Noble’s ongoing success.

the power in a partnershipChicago Bulls College Prep is the first campus to partner with a major sports team. Furthermore, the campus is just one aspect of a greater change happening on the near west side of Chicago. The Chicago Bulls organization is fighting to create a positive place for youth to grow on the west side, and the professional leaders of Chicago Bulls College Prep are well prepared to join in this important endeavor. At Muchin College Prep, the Muchin family, one of Noble’s most committed sup-porters, will help bring a legal and social justice focus to the campus and will be a regular presence there. In addition, the Muchin College Prep building is environmentally friendly and contributes to the atmosphere in the City of Chicago. These new partnerships exemplify the Chicago Bulls organization’s and the Muchin family’s belief in education reform in Chicago and the significant change these campuses will have on their deserving students.

noble’s newest leaders Noble takes tremendous pride in hiring caring and highly qualified teachers and administrators, and Tyson Kane and Kim Neal exemplify that practice. These two individuals, founding principals of Noble campuses opening in 2009, have tre-mendously different backgrounds and bring new perspectives to the Network. Tyson Kane previously worked in the investment banking sector with Chase Manhattan, was a strategy consultant with BCG and worked in private equity with the Carlyle Group. After working

in the business world for several years, he became a high school science teacher in south central Los Angeles. Tyson believes that there is not a better model for free, public, urban high schools in the country than Noble. Kim Neal was a school administrator in Harlem, New York, is a Teach For America alumna and recently completed the Summer Principals’ Academy at Columbia University. Kim has high expectations and a critical sense of urgency in regards to urban education. With a master’s in social work, Kim is set to teach her students about the social and emotional aspect of education.

diversity at its BestFounding Principals Kimberly Neal and Tyson Kane have selected teams of young professionals that possess various characteristics and qualifications that will benefit Muchin College Prep and Chicago Bulls College Prep students. Principal Tyson Kane describes his team as humble but progressive and high performing. Many of his instructors came to Chicago from outside the state and some came from low-income neighbor-hoods and all strongly believe in the Noble Street mission. Muchin College Prep’s team of young professionals brings multiple life experiences to their students. Several instructors are Teach for America alumni, one played bas-ketball at Brown University and the Dean of Discipline is a military veteran who served in Iraq. Not only will these new campuses bring change in academics, but Chicago Bulls College Prep and Muchin College Prep will also serve a racially and culturally diverse student population, with the majority being African-American and Hispanic/Latino.

“the amazing culture, a focus on performance and the quality of the team. i don’t believe there’s a better model for free, public urban high schools in the country. and the lunches are tasty.”

– Tyson Kane, Founding Principal of Chicago Bulls College Prep

chicago Bulls college prep and Muchin college prepopened august 2009

the noble network is grateful to the following organizations that were instrumental in securing and preparing the chicago Bulls college prep and Muchin college prep campus facilities:

abbott labsBaxter Bulley & andrewschicago Bullschicago public schoolschicago Zoning Board of appealschico & nunescity of chicagocotter consultingdla piperK&l GatesiFFJ.F. McKinneyallan & elaine Muchinthe northern trust company renaissance schools FundstonewatertranswesternWheeler Kearns architects

“during my principal intern year, being a “learner instead of a doer” was the most difficult challenge. i am learning about the noble Way from experts, and i am honored to be here.”

– Kimberly Neal, Founding Principal of Muchin College Prep

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Guy comer was a regular visitor to the Gary comer college prep class-rooms in the Gary comer Youth center. Gccp students participated in after-school activities at the Youth center, including Free spirit media and upward Bound, and are a part of noble’s and the Gary comer science and education Foundation’s shared vision to uplift the potential for students from the Greater Grand crossing neighborhood.

a new World opens for Gary comer studentsEarly College Scholars Teacher and Community Service Coordinator Mike Huguelet created the Horizons Club to expose curious students to different cultures, ideas and environments, thus “expanding their horizons.” Students chose the topics of study and the field trips they wanted to take. They were exposed to music from various countries and visited the Buddhist Temple and the Illinois Holocaust Museum. The Horizons Club is allowing students to step out of their comfort zone and explore people from all walks of life.

Gccp MathletesThe Gary Comer Mathletes prove that math can be a fun sport! Algebra teacher Nicole Cooley leads a group of about 12 students in strengthening their math skills in a fun and competitive way. Just in their first year, the GCCP Mathletes took home first place at the city’s math tournament on March 7, 2009. Marquise Brown and Dominique Peters received ribbons for individual performance. This experience has been beneficial for the students because it has brought them skills in cooperation and teamwork and strong self-confidence. Noble thanks the Actuarial Foundation for its financial and volunteer support of Gary Comer’s Mathletes team.

Gary comer Youth center partnership creates expressive studentsGary Comer students benefit from their campus’s strong collaboration with the Gary Comer Youth Center. Not only do students have access to great classrooms and fitness facilities, but they also have opportunities to join different after school programs offered by the Youth Center. One program sponsored by Free Spirit Media allowed four GCCP students to film a short documentary about the right to privacy in high schools. They earned second place in the McCormick Freedom Museum’s Seen and Heard National Student Expression Contest, which made them the youngest winners overall. Their documentary was a part of a month-long exhibit at the Freedom Museum and it was also displayed on the museum’s web site. Even in their inaugural year, Gary Comer students are creating traditions of excellence.

Gary comer college prep


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Working side by side with uicUIC’s remarkable support of the science and math curriculum at UIC College Prep helped the campus establish a tradition of success in its inaugural year. In support of the curriculum, UIC’s Women in Science and Engineering program offered an enrichment class that helped students raise their algebra scores. Students received tutoring on the lessons they learned in class. As a result, students were more confident in the classroom and even took the initiative to teach their fellow classmates. Also, students had a chance to get to know UIC undergraduates and professors. UIC College Prep students visited the University of Illinois at Chicago once per quarter to observe professionals and students in action and learn about careers associated with the school’s Medical, Nursing, Applied-Sciences and Dentistry campuses.

lsv Getting to Know the studentsUIC College Prep has received extraordinary commitment from LSV Asset Management employees. LSV helped kick off the year by hosting a celebration for UIC College Prep staff and participating in the campus’s Grand Opening. During the year, LSV employees have taken the time to eat lunch with students, participate in awards ceremonies, volunteer at the lottery in February and attend music concerts and the holiday luncheon. LSV established the LSV Award, which will be given to one freshman and one junior each spring. The freshman winner will have the opportunity to be an intern at LSV and the junior will earn a college scholarship.

uic college prep

a strong Focus on health scienceAll UIC College Prep students are taking a health-science course that will meet for at least 225 minutes per week during each of their four years of high school. Throughout each year, students engage in determining problems facing them and the world around them and then create action plans to implement solutions to those problems. This year, freshmen developed a way to determine the wellness of the Noble Network’s student body and then worked to create an action plan to reduce the number of overweight teenagers within the Network. Through the Passport Program that is part of the class, students have a chance to get to know professionals in science. Guests this year included two scientists from Abbott, a generous corporate supporter of UIC College Prep. This class is unique in the Network and will prepare students for college majors and careers in health science.

lsv employees treat their partnership with uic college prep like a family. they join students for meals, reward positive behaviors and offer mentorship and career exposure to students.


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strong ties with the rowe and clark Families and exelon corporationThe Rowe and Clark families are very committed partners that give their time and dedication to Rowe-Clark students. With the help of Mr. Frank Clark, a football program and cheerleading squad was established this year. Mrs. Vera Clark taught a Friday seminar class about self esteem to a core group of girls. Mr. John Rowe also participated in a Friday seminar on leadership and Mrs. Jeanne Rowe mentored girls in her Girl Talk group on topics like career exploration and college and took them on outings to do community service, enjoy cultural events and visit colleges. Exelon Corporation has offered students many opportunities including a male mentoring after-school group, seminars on Street Law, Communications and Tap Dancing taught by employees and volunteer support for the Solar Celebration, Field Day and more.

Future problem solversFuture Problem Solvers is one of the most popular after-school enrichment clubs at Rowe-Clark. Under the leader-ship of teacher Bridgette Davis, students take on research-based academic and community problem-solving. Students are challenged in terms of reading, writing, research skills, critical thinking and creativity. One of their great suc-cesses was sponsoring the Earth Hour 2009 Pep-Rally. Members of the team were also invited to attend ComEd’s official City of Chicago Earth Hour press conference and freshmen David Rangel spoke at the event. Ms. Davis believes that Future Problem Solvers helps students become confident leaders who want to create effective change in their communities and in the world.

establishing unique traditionsRowe-Clark faculty and students take pride in the traditions they have created. For the second year in a row, Rowe-Clark had a Solar Celebration, an event filled with educational and recreational activ-ities about the sun. Faculty and students started a Holiday Spectacular, where they made gingerbread houses and went caroling around the neighborhood. Other events include a Square Dancing Showdown and the Math & Science Academy Awards Show. Several seminars and clubs have also become popular. Students can take seminars on graphic design, creative writing, and even engineering, many of which are offered by generous volunteers from Exelon and ComEd. Forever At Last, the school’s rock band, has played for the Governor. These traditions have helped create a fun environment for Rowe-Clark students and families.

rowe-clark Math & science academy

Jeanne rowe facilitates a Girl talk group, which gives rowe-clark female scholars a safe forum for learning about the successes and challenges women encounter in today’s society. the club is among the most popular enrichment programs at rowe-clark Math & science academy.


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Joan Golder and nancy Golder northrip formed a special bond with Ms. lulla’s advisory, who they visited once each month to help the girls make educational books for a school in uganda. david Golder visited Mr. Yellen’s advisory in May to work with the boys on their business ideas.

Golder college prep

Golder’s commitment to healthGolder College Prep’s Health and Physical Education Instructor Allison Lowenstein teaches her students how to develop and maintain healthy life-styles. Students at Golder learn real-life health lessons by studying nutrition labels from products at their local grocery store and exercising during the school day. Lowenstein hosted a community health fair where students and their parents learned about drugs and alcohol, physical fitness, teen drinking and driving, and other related topics. Golder staff even produced their own workout fitness tape and students exercised to it. This health fair was Golder’s highest attended event to date.

another Year; a stronger communityAt the start of its second year, Golder College Prep had a new leader, Dr. Stephanie Stewart. This year, Golder has doubled in staff and students and continues to create a constructive learning environment with strong academics and discipline. What Principal Stewart is most proud of is the culture that her faculty and students have created. They have strong pride in their campus building and the com-munity around them. Golder family members are regular participants at Golder College Prep: Nancy Golder Northrip and Joan Golder worked with Ms. Lulla’s advisory on a project to make and send educational books to a community in Africa and David Golder visited Mr. Yellen’s advisory to talk about beginning and financing new businesses. The Golders spoke at Town Hall and hosted a celebratory lunch for staff in the fall, too.

Great involvement in enrichment coursesEach quarter, Golder College Prep provided over 10 different enrichment classes for students. In enrichment classes, students can learn how to play piano and guitar, do video arts or print screening, and even to play to Gu-zheng, a Chinese string instrument. The Food Studies and Culinary course is the course most frequently requested by the students. With so many options available, almost every Golder student is involved; these enrichment courses have helped them feel more connected to their school.

pritzker college prep’s class of 2010 have set high standards Pritzker College Prep ACT Series Growth – Class of 2010

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playing to their own tunePritzker College Prep has one of the largest band programs in Chicago, including 230 students. Not only are students’ talents growing but students are also expanding their horizons as musicians. The Concert Band scored Division I ratings of “Superior” at the All City Band Competition, where they were the only second-year band to compete in recent history. The Jazz Orchestra competed in the All City Jazz Competition in May. Also, students learned from the best in the city and the world this year. Band students observed and met musicians from Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra and even attended an invitation-only Masters class with world renowned jazz trum-peter, Wynton Marsalis. The opportunities and accomplishments of Pritzker’s Band Program are exceptional.

operation snowball Fifty Pritzker College Prep students spent a weekend at Camp Manitoqua, where they became part of Operation Snowball, an alcohol and drug preven-tion program focused on empowering students through leadership. Students witnessed several presentations from victims of drunk driving, drug abuse, peer pressure and domestic violence. Students left the City of Chicago to reflect on the choices they have made in their lives and work to make positive decisions that will enhance their own life experiences. Operation Snowball motivated students to live their lives to the fullest. Pritzker hopes to continue the program.

pritzker Goes internationalDuring Spring Break 2009, nine Pritzker College Prep juniors and two teachers traveled to Costa Rica as a part of Mr. Maxwell’s 11th grade Biology class. The students studied the biodiversity of Costa Rica and observed the spectacular wildlife by hiking, kayaking through Lake Arenal and even planting native trees at a high school in Monteverde. In the summer of 2009, Pritzker students traveled outside the U.S., many of them for the first time, to England and France. Pritzker students have been studying literature from these areas in the world and now experienced a cross-cultural/experiential learning opportunity. Pritzker College Prep teachers hope these international experiences will foster open-mindedness, collaborative group interaction, and great life-long memories for their students.

pritzker college prep

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at rauner college prep’s first town hall, the rauners joined the rcp community to celebrate students who had spent the summer on college campuses and to enjoy the band’s first performance of the year. they spoke to the students, sharing their delight in seeing their enthusiasm and accomplishments and encouraging them to continue working hard all year.

rauner college prep

preparing the First Graduating classThis June, the Class of 2010 will walk and become Rauner’s first graduating class. Since their freshmen year, Rauner faculty have instilled in the Class of 2010 that 100% of their class will go to college and since then, everyone at Rauner has worked hard to prepare them for a rigorous and rewarding college experi-ence. The new college counselor Eric Rapp spent the 2008-09 school year developing a solid program to guide every senior through the application process, teach them and their parents about financial aid and find the right school that fits each student. Rauner’s first seniors will be ready for the college life.

rauner’s high-achieving FacultyPrincipal Eric Thomas is extremely proud that his instructors are not only leading his students to scholarship and excel-lence, but also have accomplished milestones of their own. Teachers Matt Kelley and Ellen Sale are National Board Certified. Junior English teacher Jeremy Robinson is a Rhodes Scholar and Eric Rapp, the College Counselor, has worked in education for 15 years and spent three years at KIPP Academy. Technology teacher Bernardo Juarez has taught computer science in charter schools for the past five years and also grew up in the very same neighborhood where Rauner is located. The academic achievement and remarkable back-grounds of the teachers allows them to take on important leadership roles and become more engaged with the students.

student spotlight: danielle MaldonadoJunior Danielle Maldonado is a great example of what Rauner College Prep has to offer their students. Danielle is ranked #2 in her class with a 4.3 GPA and is taking the most difficult classes at Rauner. Outside of academics, she is sergeant and class leader in the JROTC program and started the Green Team at Rauner. Danielle has also been an intern at KPMG LLP, a generous corporate supporter of Rauner College prep and the Noble Network. She also spent time interning at the Lincoln Park Zoo and attended programming at the Naval Academy during the summer months. Rauner College Prep works to inspire all their students to be excellent role models and reach for their highest potential like Ms. Maldonado.


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Growth on the act series of exams Was the strongest ever Noble Street College Prep ACT Series Test Growth

noble street college prep – cohort standardized test Growth values

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noble teachers form learning communities to Foster professional Growth Under the leadership of Dean of Instruction Ross Hunefeld, Noble Street is breaking new ground in professional development for teachers. Noble teachers work together in small Learning Communities within their subject departments. As Learning Communities, they set measurable goals for student achievement and work on improving teaching practices for select focus groups, such as students with high math scores or students with reading disabilities. Noble Street administrators hope that by allowing teachers to direct their own learning, and by providing the time and resources teachers need to progress, teachers will improve their practice in ways that boost student achievement. Also, they hope teachers are better prepared to reach their students at an academic as well as at a personal level.

Great debaters Teachers Joanne Lerman & John Brudenell have led the Noble Debate Team with remarkable dedication for two years. Students devote extra time and energy to the team and their critical thinking, argumentation and public speaking skills are increasing as a result. They have competed in several tourna-ments and even qualified for the city championships. Outside of the team, many debate students have attended the Illinois State University Debate Camp. Noble Senior and proud leader of the team Jonathan Rodriguez has won 1st Place Speaker Award in the past two years. Next year, Ms. Lerman and Mr. Brudenell expect to recruit more students for the Debate Team and expose them to more competitions and summer camps.

noble students are Making a difference Noble students are doing more than just fulfilling 80 hours of community service (twice the requirement of traditional CPS high schools) before graduation. Roberto Rosado ’09, Giselle Fierro ’10 and Alex Ortiz ’10 have joined Volunteers of America and the Major League Baseball Players Trust and are delivering the message to fellow students that volun-teering is fun and rewarding. These three students became service ambassadors who recruit their peers to participate in volunteer projects that they coordinate. In December, Noble students had a Holiday Reading Party at Peabody Elementary School. Later in the school year, they hosted a barbeque at Franciscan House to feed the homeless. In May, these students were recognized at Wrigley Field for their remarkable efforts.

noble street college prep

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The 2008-09 school year was the last year that Noble Street College Prep had the only graduating class. Next year, they will share the stage with the first graduating classes of Pritzker and Rauner. The Class of 2009 is described as being hard workers who have the credentials needed to get into top colleges in the nation. More importantly, the Class of 2009 is aware of the different aspects of college life, such as financial aid trends, academic and social opportunities, and the expectation to succeed. Members of the Class of 2009 earned prestigious awards including the Chicago Public Schools Full Tuition Scholarship, Dells Scholars Award, Gates Millenium Scholarship, Pullman Foundation Scholarship, and Posse Foundation Scholarship. Here are the schools to which these Noble Street 2009 graduates will be attending in the fall:

the class of 2009

Albion College

Arturo Velasquez West Side Technical Institute

Benedictine University

Coe College

Denison University

DePaul University

DePauw University

DeVry University

Dominican University

East West University

Fox College

Hampton University

Harold Washington College

Hesston College

Illinois Institute of Art

Lake Forest College

MacMurray College

Millikin University

Missouri Baptist University

North Park University

Northeastern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University

Northwestern University

Oberlin College

Robert Morris College

Roosevelt University

Southern Illinois University – Carbondale

Stanford University

Triton College

Truman College

University of Illinois – Chicago

University of Illinois – Springfield

University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign

Wilbur Wright Community College

life after noble – noble alumni Noble Street has graduated a seventh class and now has over 600 alumni. Many alumni come back to the school and volunteer their time to tutor, participate with students in community service or speak at Town Halls. Noble Street is proud of the extraordinary accomplishments alumni have achieved. From the first graduating class in 2003, Gina Sanchez is now a teacher intern for Noble’s newest campus, Chicago Bulls College Prep, and Vanessa Madrigal is a General Electric engineer in Montgomery, Alabama. Adrian Mendoza ’04 has entered a six-year Latin American History Masters/PhD program at University of Arizona and Margarita Herrera ’04 is a program coordinator for the Posse Foundation Scholarship. From the Class of 2005, Jessica Lozada was featured in Northwestern’s “Seniors Watch” and is a 2009 Teach for America corps member. David Lopez ’07 has been on the Dean’s List multiple times since he entered University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2007. Noble Street alumni hope to be role models for current students and show them that success in college and beyond is obtainable.

nearly 60 noble Graduates have earned their college degrees… proudly leading the way toward our “2020 vision.”

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noble network overall achievementsnoble network’s First ever college FairLast spring, the Noble Network of Charter Schools hosted its first ever College Fair for all the juniors in the Network. About 250 students attended, eager to begin the process of finding the best college and future for them. Rauner’s college counselor, Eric Rapp, with the help of Rauner’s principal, teachers and faculty members brought about 50 colleges and programs to the fair at Rauner College Prep. The juniors had the opportunity to meet representatives from colleges/universities like Bradley University, Michigan State, Northwestern University, and University of Illinois at Chicago. Representatives from the Posse Foundation, Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and Princeton Review also attended. Eric Rapp believed the fair was a tremendous success. He saw so many students engaged and interested in learning about different colleges. He knows that many students left feeling confident and optimistic about college. He also had many college representatives say that this was the “best college fair they have ever been to!” Next year, Noble Street will be sharing the graduation stage with Rauner and Pritzker’s Class of 2010. It will be a great opportunity for the Network will see the value of its replication with about 300 students graduating from a Noble campus. The dedication of Noble staff to their students was exemplified in this college fair, which put juniors on the right path toward college.

noble’s intra-network playAfter a widely successful 2007-08 athletic season, Noble has implemented a new strategy for its sports teams: intra-Network play. This year, athletes from all seven campuses played one another in scheduled games in addition to playing other city schools. The intra-Network play has also helped to increase camaraderie among Noble students across the seven campuses. Students have expressed that playing teams from other Noble campuses is “like playing family.” The sports program has proven to have a positive effect on students’ physical fitness and commitment to school, and also on the community’s relationship with Noble Street. Mr. Coleman, the Dean of Discipline and Athletic Director at Pritzker and the Coordinator for the Noble Sports League, wants athletes to gain new experiences by playing their championship games at university arenas and fields and attending sports camps in the summer. He also wants to coordinate a “Shoot-out” with other charter schools’ basketball teams. The Noble Sports League will continue to be a significant collaboration.

2008-2009 sports season WinnersFallBoys Soccer – Noble Street College PrepVolleyball – Noble Street College Prep

WinterBoys Basketball – Rauner College PrepGirls Basketball - Rauner College Prep

SpringBaseball – Pritzker College PrepSoftball – Pritzker College Prep Girls Soccer – Noble Street College PrepBoys Rugby – Noble Street College Prep

noble’s lending handNoble Street Charter School’s Auxiliary Board is a volunteer organization that raises awareness and financial support for Noble. The board offers graduate students and professionals an opportunity to dedicate their time to planning fund-raising events for Noble and service projects with students and working on education reform in Chicago. Most of all, Auxiliary Board members are great role models to Noble students. The Auxiliary Board’s signature event – Bowling For Books – took place on January 29, 2009, and proved successful for the third year in a row. During the 2008-09 academic year, auxiliary board members interacted with students at service events such as the Cook County Forest Preserve Clean-up, Hustle up the Hancock and the 7th annual Noble Classic 5K. Noble Street Charter School depends on private support for a portion of its expenses not covered by public funds; auxiliary board members make an individual fundraising commitment and work together to raise funds for and awareness of Noble Street.

preparing noble students for academic excellenceAt the start of fall 2006, the Noble Network integrated interim assessments that were given to students at the end of every quarter. These assessments are designed to improve test scores and provide unique opportunity for students to perform well on their ACT exam. The Class of 2010 is the first class of the Noble Network to provide first-hand results for these assessments. The results are promising and we expect our students to continue to do excellent.


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contributorscorporation, Foundation and organization supportNoble Network Replication ProjectAbbottAnonymousCharter School Growth FundChicago BullsChicago Public SchoolsFrank and Vera Clark FamilyCME TrustThe Comer FamilyThe Comer Science and Education Foundation The Crown FamilyMichael and Susan Dell FoundationExelon CorporationBill & Melinda Gates FoundationGolder Family FoundationWilliam and Valerie Hall FamilyKPMG LLPLSV Asset ManagementMichael and Karyn Lutz FamilyAllan and Elaine Muchin FamilyNewSchools Venture FundNorthern TrustWilliam and Cathleen Osborn FamilyPrince Charitable TrustsPritzker Family Rauner Family FoundationRenaissance Schools FundRowe Family Charitable TrustWalton Family Foundation

noble network programs and annual operations$50,000 or more:Chicago Public Community Schools ProgramIllinois Department of Human Services- GEAR UP Illinois State Board of Education – 21st Century Community Learning Center ProgramPerkins Malo Hunter FoundationRowe Family Charitable Trust

$25,000-$49,999:Lloyd A. Fry FoundationThe Mayer and Morris Kaplan Family Foundation

Kraft Employee FundSargent & Lundy

$10,000-$24,999:The Actuarial FoundationAnonymousChicago White Sox CharitiesThe Field Foundation of IllinoisMagid Glove & Safety Manufacturing Company

$5,000-$9,999:Anonymous KPMG LLPNoble Street Charter School Auxiliary BoardNuclear Energy InstitutePittsburgh Steelers Sports

$1,000-$4,999:Anonymous ExelonMaverick Capital FoundationNational Association for Urban Debate LeaguesNew Schools for New OrleansOppenheimer Family Foundation Teacher Incentive GrantsToshiba America FoundationUS Bancorp

$100-$999:Chicago Event ManagementKatie Memorial FundSnack Naturally LLC

individual Gifts$25,000 or more:Frank and Vera Clark Family

$5,000-$24,999:Michael and Tonya MilkieBrian and Linda O’TooleJean E. Sheridan

$1,000-$4,999:Michael and Kathy ElliottJim S. FrankAnn Marie GoddardBarbara and Dennis KesslerGeorge and Peggy KirkDr. and Mrs. Jeffrey KramerAnne LaubscherMichael LawlerRon and Pauline ManderschiedDr. Sylvia Manning

James MitchellAnne and Kurt MuellerMr. and Mrs. William A. OsbornJohn and Mary RaittTroy RatliffEric and Jana SchreuderTimothy and Jennifer TheriaultMr. and Mrs. Frederick H. Waddell

$500-$999:Rebecca CasperEmily DeanPedro DeJesusWalt and Jodi EckenhoffDanielle EisenbergShawn GebhardtJeff Goldstein David and Robyn GrossbergRobert and Patricia HammelJoe and Pat HinkelRachel and Michael Kramer David KimJames and Mary LaVelle Robert and Carol LenzEmily and Steve LinkSunita Mohanty

Allan and Elaine MuchinMichael MurrayMr. and Mrs. Patrick O’NeillDeborah ParisianJenny PuchtelNithya RajanEric RimmkeMindy and Kirk UhrlaubDavid A. Weinberg

$100-$499:Sunjay AgteyNizam AlliJames and Sheila AmendLinda and John Anderson Charitable FoundationSharon and William AndersenAnonymousMr. and Mrs. L.L. AustermillerStephen P. Berkowitz Debbie BermanDavid BieleJames and Margaret BlairMr. and Mrs. Don E. BrownMrs. Robert H. BurnsideLaine CliffordCharles and Debra Colodny

Danielle CourrierMr. C. John EkmanJim and Maureen Forhan Pat and Bill FreyJohn F. GannonLaurie L. GarveyThomas GarveyWilliam J. GarveyJudy and Mickey GaynorIsak Gerson Paul HanzlikSusan HazardMrs. Mary B. HendersonHector HernandezKaren and John HowlandDavid JancisinJudith K. JohnstonPatricia JoyceAnn Kaplan Donald Kempf Lucile and Henry KrasnowCarolyn and Gil KruleeThomas and Catherine LambGail and Howard LanzarMary and Jess LevineFrances and Elliot LehmanDon and Myrna LordMs. Marj Lundy and Mr. James GodshalkLucile and Henry Krasnow Mr. and Mrs. Ralph B. MandellEva and Raymond MartinezLesley MatsaDrew MaurerDale and Bill McBrideTherese J. MeyerDavid and Hadley NewtonRafael-Nunez CedenoJohn and Carole Par Ann PervierDorothy PressNancy and Dino RizzaBrian W. SaberShari SchwartzJames and Joanne SteinbackJason W. StrahanMrs. Kenneth H. SuterSusan TinnishJennifer TrethewayJohn P. WenzlE.R. White

in Kind GiftsCait AllenAnonymousSusu BlockDonors ChooseExelonRuth Ann GillisJanik’s CafeLSV Asset ManagementNorthern TrustLucille PruddenRich RederTraspasadaSteve Uslander

contributors to the 2009 noble classic 5K Fun run & Fitness Walk$1,000 or more:Janik’s CaféKPMG LLPMichael LawlerPasta Palazzo

Up to $999:CCH PrintingKaren and John HowlandDavid KimGeorge and Peggy KirkDrew MaurerSunita MohantyGreg and Elizabeth MorrisMichael MurrayNorthwestern University Settlement AssociationAngela PalmerTej PatelEric RimmkeSodexoLisa WangHannah Yoo


14

revenue

expenses

Public Funds 68%

Private Grants & Contributors 26%

Government Grants 1%

Student Fees 3%

CPS In-Kind Services 1%

Other 1%

Teachers & Staff 36%

Depreciation & Faculty Expenses 17%

Facilities & Communication 5%

Admin & Development 26%

Food Services 4%

Student & Classroom Expenses 4%

Contracted Services 1%

Equipment & Supplies 8%


15

Board of directorsPedro DeJesusVice President and General CounselTampico Beverages, Inc.

Kathleen ElliotBoard Audit and Finance Committee ChairFirst Chicago/Bank One, (ret.)

Ann Marie GoddardExternal Relations Committee ChairPartner, KPMG LLP

Karen HowlandLeisure ManagerSuburban Travel, Inc.

Ron ManderschiedVice Chair & TreasurerPresident, Northwestern University Settlement House

Sylvia ManningChairPresident, The Higher Learning Commission

Michael MilkieSuperintendent & COO, Noble Network of Charter Schools

Allan MuchinFacilities Committee ChairChairman Emeritus, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

Anne MuellerCommunity Leader

James A. PeyserPartner, New Schools Venture FundChairman, Massachusetts Board of Education

Troy RatliffVice President & Chief Operating Officer, Joseph Kellman Family Foundation

Jonathan Reinsdorf Sr. Financial Analyst, Education AllianceFounder & Managing Member, Stonegate Development Partners, LLC

William J. RoweAssociate, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Maria SalazarParent Representative,Asst. Administrator, Cabrini Retreat Center

Jean E. SheridanExecutive Vice President, Northern Trust

David Weinberg Founder & President, Illinois Network of Charter Schools

Board appointmentsMark LeonChief Financial Officer, Noble Network of Charter Schools

Jessica FloresAdministrator, Noble Network of Charter Schools

auxiliary BoardRebecca CasperEmily DeanDanielle EisenbergShawn GebhardtSumi GhoshJeffrey GoldsteinRachel HaigSusan HazardDavid KimMichael LawlerEmily LinkLesley S. MatsaDrew MaurerSunita A. MohantyMichael MurraySarah O’BrienTej PatelJenny PuchtelNithya RajanEric RimmkeMichael RosskammWilliam RoweLisa Wang

noble street charter school administrationPrincipalsWilliam OlsenNoble Street College Prep

Pablo SierraPritzker College Prep

Eric ThomasRauner College Prep

Stephanie StewartGolder College Prep

Joseph TenbuschRowe-Clark Math & Science Academy

Oliver Sicat UIC College Prep

James Troupis Gary Comer College Prep

Tyson Kane Chicago Bulls College Prep (opened August 2009)

Kimberly NealMuchin College Prep (opened August 2009)

Garland Johnson Osborn College Prep (opening August 2010)

Deans and Vice PrincipalsEllen Metz, Tonya Milkie and Maricruz MonteroNoble Street College Prep

Reginald Coleman, Thomas Mulder and Diana RistoffPritzker College Prep

Zataya Shackelford and Jesus TiradoRauner College Prep

Rosa Alanis and Ralph Davis Golder College Prep

Brenda Cora and Marlon Tobin Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy

Tressie Dust and Jerry Wallace UIC College Prep

Adetokunbo Fatoke, Linda Mendez and Gerald Stewart Gary Comer College Prep

Superintendent & CEOMichael Milkie

Board of directors, auxiliary Board and administration

16


In fiscal year 2009, the Noble Network continued to provide an invaluable education to students at seven succeeding campuses, including the campuses opened in 2008, Gary Comer College Prep and UIC College Prep. More than 2,200 students across the city were taught to maintain excellence and reach new heights of opportunity as students at Noble campuses in 2008-09. Due to continuing demand for a Noble education and with encouragementfrom the Chicago Public Schools, Noble has embraced a new goal to operate 10 campuses. In August 2009, Muchin College Prep will open in Chicago’s Loopand Chicago Bulls College Prep will openon the west side. The following year, Osborn College Prep will join the Noble Network and will open its doors to

deserving high school students. These three new campuses will further extend Noble’s full-enrollment capacity to nearly5,000 students and about 5% of the Chicago Public Schools population. We thank you for your support as we continue to work toward our own “perfect vision.” With every new Noble campus, we are able to reach more students and improve education in our city. Together, we are preparing even more students for success in college andbeyond each year. Most importantly, we are helping to create dynamic local, community and global leaders. Our new strategic plan, slated for completion this year, will set forth the path for Noble’s future and we look forward to your continued support as we pursue this path.

looking ahead

chicago Bulls college prep, a campus of noble street charter school 2040 W adams st., chicago, il 60612

Gary comer college prep, a campus of noble street charter school 7200 s. ingleside ave., chicago, il 60619

Golder college prep, a campus of noble street charter school 1454 W. superior st., chicago, il 60642

Muchin college prep, a campus of noble street charter school 1 n. state st., chicago, il 60602

noble street college prep, the Founding campus of noble street charter school 1010 n noble st., chicago, il 60642

pritzker college prep, a campus of noble street charter school 4131 W. cortland ave., chicago, il 60639

rauner college prep, a campus of noble street charter school 1337 W. ohio st., chicago, il 60642

rowe-clark Math & science academy, the exelon campus of noble street charter school 3645 W. chicago ave., chicago, il 60651

uic college prep, the lsv campus of noble street charter school 1231 s. damen ave., chicago, il 60608

noble network of charter schools 773.278.6895

www.noblenetwork.org

editors: Rachel Kramer

Director of External Affairs, Noble Network of Charter Schools

Jessica Lozada Noble Street Class of 2005 and Northwestern University Class of 2009

design and printing courtesy of

Q25751 (8/09)

noble's 2009 annual report

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