Ogden School Plans Temporary Move from Gold Coast to Cabrini-Green

By Camela Furry in News on May 25, 2009 3:00PM

Situated in the Gold Coast steps away from the new Barneys store, Ogden International Elementary is considered one of Chicago’s finest public schools where students of well-off parents from the neighborhood can choose from a curriculum of after-school activities such as yoga and drawing classes.

This summer the school will temporarily relocate while its current location at 24 W. Walton St. undergoes a $60 million transformation to a state-of-the art facility. The location of the school’s temporary site has been narrowed down to two school buildings near the now closed Cabrini-Green housing complex. The choice of location has some parents irate. "I am not sending my child there," one parent told the Tribune. She added, "That is directly across the street from the projects. "The reason I pay so much money to live in this area is because [Ogden] is the school my kids go to." According to the Tribune:

Although Ogden students would be dealing more with Cabrini's notorious reputation than the present reality of a rapidly gentrifying area, parents have not been shy about voicing their anger. Some say they've sent letters and placed calls to new schools CEO Ron Huberman, while others are trying to use "connections" to see if something can be done about the move.

Other parents complained only about the lack of information they received from school district leaders and others have no dispute with the decision. Ogden’s principal has admitted being anxious not knowing the temporary location with just a few weeks left in the school year but as for fears about safety, he said he understands why some parents are upset but he’s not concerned.