Chicago Charter School EPIC Academy Could Close At End Of The School Year

EPIC Academy, a charter high school on Chicago's South Side, may close by the end of the school year due to plummeting enrollment, which has reached only 254 students. Executive Director LeeAndra Khan noted that despite attempts to enhance the school's profile and attract more students, they have not managed to reach the necessary enrollment figure of 500. The school's board is scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss the closure, which follows a recent contract extension from the Chicago Board of Education. CPS has communicated plans to support families and students through town hall meetings while highlighting that a midyear closure would be harmful. If EPIC Academy shuts down, it would be at least the 15th charter school to close in Chicago in six years, indicating ongoing financial difficulties in the charter sector.

Khan mentioned that there had been discussions about the possibility of CPS absorbing EPIC or merging it with another charter school. The union representing EPIC staff is set to attend the board meeting to demand clarity on the closure decision and advocate for the school's community. This situation raises questions about the role of Chicago's newly formed school board in addressing such closures.