Morgan Park High School


Campus Plan
1744 West Pryor Avenue
Chicago IL 60643
(773) 535-2550

Morgan Park High School, located at the intersection of 111th street & Vincennes Avenue (11100 South and 1700 West) and affectionately known as Empehi, is a Chicago public high school that opened its doors on its present site in 1916. With an expanding student population, an addition was built in 1925, providing the school with a gymnasium, auditorium and swimming pool. Expansion continued with the completion of a major addition in 1965. In 1983 the campus was greatly enlarged and improved with the addition of tennis courts, a football field, running track, baseball field, soccer field, outdoor basketball courts, student driving range and faculty parking. From its beginning, the Morgan Park High School student body has been multi-racial and multi-cultural. Empehi's long history of racial, economic and religious integration has offered an outstanding environment for the education of its students. Beginning with 283 pupils in 1916, the school grew over the years to more than 3,300 in 1975, when overcrowding, even with the use of branch facilities for freshman, finally resulted in a court-ordered enrollment plan designed to reduce the student population while preserving an integrated student body. The present student enrollment is a stable 2,200. Morgan Park offers a comprehensive high school program to meet the needs of all of its students. Students may choose to prepare for college, or the world of business, take vocational courses, or learn from a broad menu of language and international studies options, while enjoying many activities and sports. In 1982 Morgan Park High School instituted a Language and International Studies Program that also allows students to enroll from outside the school's attendance area. The addition of a 7th and 8th grade Academic Center component allows advanced level students to begin earning high school credits and to study languages before 9th grade. Morgan Park High School has long enjoyed the active support of parents and the Beverly/Morgan Park community. Since 1989 the school has operated with the direction of its local school council (LSC) elected by parents, the community and staff. The Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) has worked to support the school since 1926. The Morgan Park High School Community Council was formed in the late 1960s to enable community organizations and businesses to be involved in supporting projects and programs at the school that were not available through school district funds. The Community Council's non-profit Pursuit of Excellence Fund has provided financial support for equipment, training opportunities and special student programs, all from funds raised within the community. Many of the sports teams and activities also enjoy the support of parent booster clubs. These organizations continue to enrich the life of Morgan Park High School and provide an opportunity for parents to participate in the life of the school. A unique presence in the school's life is the Catholic Youth Ministry, located in a building across the street from the school. Open to all students, it provides a place for students to gather, as well as to enjoy activities and use support services in an environment outside of the formal school setting. The entire Morgan Park High School family looks forward to continuing its rich history of providing each of the students who enter its doors with the opportunity to prepare for a productive and successful future. Go Mustangs! For more information, please contact the school at the address listed below.
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Last update: Sunday, June 15, 2003 by rcoleman@iit.edu