ACE Technical Charter High School

ACE Technical Charter High School, (commonly known as ACE TECH), is a public 4–year charter high school located in the Washington Park neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is operated by the Chicago Public Schools district. The name ACE stands for Architecture, Construction, and Engineering. The school opened in 2004. ACE Tech is housed in the former Mary Terrell Elementary School building, a Chicago public school which closed after the 2001–02 school year.^[4]

History and Student Body

ACE Technical Charter High School (ACE Tech) was founded in 2004 by a group of construction industry professionals and entrepreneurs. This collection of pioneers desired to introduce Chicago youth to careers in Architecture, Construction, and Engineering. The ACE Tech Board of Directors is composed of education professionals, entrepreneurs, and construction industry professionals. ACE Tech serves approximately 500 students from Chicago’s South Loop, Washington Park, Back of the Yards, Gage Park, Englewood and surrounding south side neighborhoods. While many students are interested in these industries, ACE Tech caters to students with a wide variety of interests and aspirations.

ACE Tech Mission

The mission of ACE Tech is to provide our students with the highest level of instruction and academic achievement combined with exemplary character development that will prepare them for post-secondary and apprenticeship education. The fulfilled ACE Tech educational experience will provide our students sustained lifelong success.

Academic Program

ACE Tech’s academic program is a unique combination of college preparatory and vocational education. Student’s complete coursework aligned with State of Illinois education standards supplemented with concentrations in architecture, construction, and engineering (ACE). Students also have access to an array of supplementary programs designed to enhance learning experiences across the ACE disciplines and beyond. ACE Tech’s academic program also contains significant amalgamations of what is known as the pre-apprentice approach – a method of study which endeavors to combine classroom training with on-the-job training, offers skill training from working professionals, provides students with quality internship opportunities, and offers ongoing mentoring and guidance.

ACE Tech’s academic program also contains significant amalgamations of what is known as the pre-apprentice approach – a method of study which endeavors to combine classroom training with on-the-job training, offers skill training from working professionals, provides students with quality internship opportunities, and offers ongoing mentoring and guidance. We take great pride in our supplementary programming, as it enables the school to use a relationship-based approach to improving student performance. Often students develop strong relationships with the many volunteers who help ACE Tech present its programming, and this leads to increased opportunity for personal success.

Admissions/Interships

ACE Tech is a lottery based school. 150 incoming freshmen students are accepted each year. There is no standard test or any placement exams required. All are welcome to apply. ACE Tech provides a full continuum of Special Education services, and does not discriminate against students with disabilities. All completed student applications are given a number and are chosen through a blind lottery.

FRESHMAN REQUIREMENTS: Complete Application Both student & parent attendance is required at the summer Freshmen Orientation Day Provide updated Physical, Immunization Record & Copy of Birth Certificate at Orientation Day Accepted Freshmen must take a placement test in Math and Reading in order to receive a schedule. Accepted Freshmen must be in attendance on the first day of school at ACE in order to maintain seat.

TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS: Complete Application Provide an unofficial copy of transcripts Provide a copy of current grades/progress report Discipline Record from current school Attendance Record from current school Schedule an interview with ACE Tech principal

ACE Tech is able to provide greater access, programs, support and opportunities to its students with the stalwart support of its community stakeholders. Some of these stakeholders include the American Institute of Architects, American Society of Civil Engineers, Builders Association, Black Contractors United, Hispanic American Construction Industry Association, International Brotherhood of Carpenters, and the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association, University of Chicago Facilities Services, Rush University, F.H. Paschen, and Oakley Construction. The aforementioned community stakeholders have provided ACE Tech students with internship opportunities, additional revenue and technical skills that reinforce the academic programs of ACE Tech.

Athletics

ACE TECH competes in the Chicago Public League (CPL), and is a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). ACE TECH teams are stylized as the Bobcats. ACE Tech endeavors to provide its students with as many opportunities for athletic competition as possible. ACE Tech’s Athletic Program now has a wide array of sporting opportunities considering the school’s size of 500 students.

Currently ACE Tech offers:

References

Coordinates: 41°47′46″N 87°37′35″W / 41.796143°N 87.626300°W / 41.796143; -87.626300