Calumet High School–Perspectives was a public four-year charterhigh school and middle school located in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Opening as Calumet Township High School in 1889, it became a Chicago Public School in 1900 and closed in 2006.[4][5] From 2006 until 2020, The building was used by two charter schools under Perspective Charter Schools.
History
The school opened as Calumet Township High School in 1889. The school operated at first in a former elementary school on the city's east side, but the Chicago Board of Education eventually decided that a new building needed to be built to house the school. The new school building, at 81st and May Streets, was constructed during January 1925 and completed in 1926. It opened for students for the 1926–27 school year.[4] The school closed after the 2005–2006 academic year due to poor performance and low enrollment. As a part of the Chicago Public Schools Renaissance 2010 program, the Calumet High School building was home to two charter schools: Calumet – Perspectives Leadership Academy, which was located on the third floor,[6] and Calumet – Perspectives High School of Technology, which was located on the second floor.[7]
Closure
At the end of the 2019–2020 school year, both schools closed at the location.[8]
Other Information
Before its 2006 closure, the school was named Calumet Career Prep Academy High School. The school was used as the filming location of the 1999 drama film Light It Up.
Athletics
Calumet competes in the Chicago Public League (CPL) and is a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). The school sport teams are nicknamed The Warriors (formerly Indians). The boys' basketball team were regional champions in 2012–13.[9]
Notable alumni (1900–2006)
Chaka Khan (attended), – Grammy Award-winning R&B singer.
James Young (Class of 1968), – Musician, guitarist and songwriter for the rock band Styx.
Earl Eby (attended), – Athlete, participated in the 1920 Olympic Games, taking second for the USA in the 800 meters, and finishing fourth as a part of the 1600 relay.
George L. Safranek, PhD. (Class of 1950), – Geophysicist, Phi Beta Kappa, University of Texas
Richard Trentlage (Class of 1947), – Musician, composer of the "Oscar Mayer Weiner Jingle", "McDonald's is your kind of place!", "Buckle up for safety, buckle up!" and many other mindsticking, advertising ditties.[10]
This template should only include schools controlled by and/or affiliated with CPS. If a charter school is still in operation but no longer affiliated with CPS, list as a former school.
