Chicago Tech Academy Chooses Freshmen Class

Last year, Austin Lambert's goal of a career creating video games seemed far away. He was bullied at school and had low self-confidence.

What a difference a year makes. After applying for and gaining a spot at Chicago Tech Academy, he's spent his freshman year learning all about technology. He's a member of a school club where he learns about video and graphics design.

"I'm learning things I didn't even know were possible," he said. "I have good friends, I'm in a good place to be, and I'm surrounded by staff that actually cares."

Lambert spoke to a group of ChiTech supporters on Thursday before the annual lottery to choose the school's 2016 class. About 1,500 students applied for the tech school this year, which has a class size of about 150.

ChiTech is a school founded on strong partnerships in the IT industry, including industry mentors, internships, guest lecturers and field trips. Students take a four-year technology sequence, as well as double periods of math and English. The career-prep curriculum stresses entrepreneurship, critical thinking and innovation.

Potential students and their families met at the Westin Chicago River North hotel to await the scrolling list of names projected on the screen that represented those accepted into the freshmen class. Cheers erupted from the crowd as the list was revealed.

Terry Howerton, chairman of the school's board of directors, counseled those who didn’t make the list to hold onto their places on the waiting list, and those who did to make sure they were committed to the extra work ChiTech requires.

"This school is hard," he said. "This school takes more hours of your day, and more of your commitment… But make a commitment to us, and we'll make this commitment back to you: We will work our darndest for the next four years to make sure that you meet people you would never have had a chance to meet otherwise, learn skills that you would never otherwise been able to be exposed to, and have a successful future set out before you because of your participation in this program."

Many of the students were ready for the challenge. After the lottery they mingled with current students, taking pictures and doing interviews on why they wanted to attend ChiTech.

ChiTech's first class, from 2009, will be seniors this coming school year. CompTIA has supported the school since its inception, donating funds, providing internships and other in-kind assistance.

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