Brenda Cora, now the chief of schools for Noble Street College Prep, navigated through the bustling cafeteria filled with students on their first day. The scene brought back memories of her own time as a student at Noble, 25 years prior. Back then, this very space served as her science, math, and advisory classroom. Pointing towards a storage room now filled with supplies and refrigerators, Cora reminisced, “This was my advisory classroom,” in what is now Burnside Hall.
In 1999, Cora was among the initial 100 freshmen at Noble Street College Prep. The school was still under construction when the academic year commenced. Just the year before, in April 1998, the Chicago Board of Education approved the proposal from two Chicago Public Schools teachers and the Northwestern Settlement House to establish Noble Street College Prep in West Town. This marked the beginning of one of the city’s first charter schools, a relatively new concept in Illinois since the 1997 state law. Inspired by the progressive movement and championed by Albert Shanker, the former head of the American Federation of Teachers, charter schools aimed to foster innovation by operating with greater autonomy from traditional bureaucratic structures and regulations.
Cora learned about Noble while attending Ames Middle School. Aspiring to attend college, she applied to Noble and vividly remembers the lottery admissions process held in the school’s auditorium. “I do remember there was one of those bingo rollers, where they were pulling out names,” Cora recalled, emphasizing her anticipation to see if she would secure a spot at Noble Street College Prep, the school she was determined to attend.
Students entering Noble Street College Prep on the first day of classes, highlighting the school’s welcoming environment and focus on college preparation in Chicago.
Throughout the 2000s, Chicago Public Schools significantly expanded its charter school network, including Noble Street College Prep. Today, Noble operates 17 high school campuses and one middle school, serving over 12,300 students across Chicago. The Noble Network of Charter Schools has undergone significant changes in the last 25 years. Following the resignation of co-founder Michael Milkie in 2018, the network shifted away from its strict “no excuses” disciplinary approach, relaxed its dress code policies, and implemented a more transparent and equitable pay scale that rewards experienced teachers.
The bingo roller for admissions is also a thing of the past. Now, all eighth-grade students in Chicago Public Schools use a centralized application system for high school enrollment.
Despite ongoing debates about school choice initiated by Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union, who have voiced concerns about the competitive nature of school selection in Chicago, the atmosphere at Noble’s original campus, fondly called “The OC,” was vibrant on the first day. Seniors gathered in the cafeteria, sharing their reasons for choosing Noble Street College Prep.
“I chose Noble because it prepares you for college,” said senior Lianisse Rodriguez, who aims to study at Arizona State University. “My older sisters graduated from here. They always spoke highly of the school, emphasizing how well it prepared them for higher education.”
Senior Mileani Solis, following in the footsteps of her siblings, also chose Noble due to her family’s positive experiences with the school. Similarly, senior Ethan Del Valle explained, “I chose Noble because of my sister’s experience here. I am confident they will make me college-ready, which is crucial for my aspirations, as my dream is to attend M.I.T.”
These students mirror Cora’s ambition when she was a student at Noble Street College Prep. A member of Noble’s first graduating class in 2003, Cora admitted to worrying about college acceptance due to the school’s newness. “What if colleges don’t recognize Noble? What if this high school diploma doesn’t hold weight across the nation?” she remembered questioning.
Brenda Cora, Chief of Schools at Noble Street College Prep and alumna, stands in a hallway adorned with college banners, representing the school’s dedication to college readiness and student success.
Her fears were unfounded. Cora was accepted to Grinnell College in Iowa and later returned to Noble, joining Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy as dean of students in 2007. Now, as chief of schools, she is responsible for overseeing six Noble campuses, including Rowe-Clark, where she previously served as principal for six years.
According to Noble spokesperson David Brown, the network boasts approximately 28,700 alumni, with 5,000 having earned bachelor’s degrees and thousands more currently pursuing higher education.
Ellen Metz, the Head of Schools at Noble, affirmed that college preparation remains the network’s primary objective. Despite challenges such as rising college costs, the end of affirmative action, and FAFSA complications, Noble remains committed to its mission.
“We believe that our students deserve college for its transformative impact, including social mobility, increased life expectancy, civic engagement, and the invaluable opportunity for self-discovery during those college years,” Metz stated.
Metz, who served as principal of the original Noble Street College Prep from 2014 to 2019, spent the first day of school warmly greeting and embracing teachers, many of whom have dedicated a decade or more to teaching at Noble.
Acknowledging historical inequities in funding for neighborhood schools, Metz emphasized the importance of moving forward rather than dwelling on the past. As part of the charter school renewal process, the Chicago Board of Education recently extended Noble’s authorization to operate for another five years.
“We’ve got to move forward,” Metz reiterated, expressing her hope for continued partnership between Noble Street College Prep and Chicago Public Schools for at least the next 25 years, continuing its legacy of college readiness and student success in Chicago.
