photo by steed media service

Oak Park High School is inspiring dropped jaws, stammered speech and stunned expressions. That’s because it’s now possible for a student to obtain his or her diploma and have enough college credits to get their associate’s degree — at the same time. Or that a child can receive hands-on instruction in forensic science. Or that they can learn broadcast reporting from an in-school media station. Or that kids can record a rap album at the school, then go to the next room and record a video — all without leaving the campus. But these are just some of the activities underway or upcoming at the highly innovative, boundary-breaking school, which is why over 1,600 students pack the institution that’s bringing a new meaning to education.

Principal Lisa Phillips runs the school with a powerful tool called love. “I think one day that we are just going to explode to the whole world of how good things are at Oak Park … there is so much going on,” says Phillips, whose face lights up like a set of birthday candles when she talks about “her babies.”

Phillips learned that providing unprecedented opportunities has unleashed a passionate devotion to education that’s tragically devoid in so many institutions across the city and the country.

“This program helps with discipline. In order to go into the studio you have to be disciplined; you have to go to class.” The kids are not the only ones who can go to the school. Parental participation is paramount, Phillips proclaims. “I feel that parents should be involved. They need to come in when they want. They are the real stakeholders, the parents, the children and the community.” -terry shropshire

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