Altus Academy is offering free private school education to kids in West Side Chicago, focusing on health and wellness.
Chicago: Every Tuesday and Thursday, around 30 students from the University of Illinois Chicago head to Altus Academy. For them, it’s just an elective, but for the kids at Altus, it’s the highlight of their day.
On a chilly November morning, they gathered in the school’s basement, ready for some fun under the guidance of UIC instructor Lindsey Strieter.
“Are you ready?” she called out, and the kids cheered back, “Yes!”
“Go!” she shouted, and they dashed to tables set up with fruits, plastic tools, and a recipe for a sugar-free chocolate milkshake.
Strieter had to work hard to grab their attention as they giggled, excited about the drink they were about to make. She guided them as they chopped, measured, and blended ingredients.
Meanwhile, UIC educator Michelle Reich was busy pouring smoothies while the kids enjoyed a scavenger hunt. They ran, jumped, lifted weights, and played games, all with their UIC buddies cheering them on.
“A kid can’t have too many caring adults,” said John Heybach, the founder of Altus.
Located at 751 S. Sacramento Blvd., Altus Academy serves grades 1-8 and has been providing free, private college preparatory education to underrepresented students in Chicago for over a decade.
So far, Altus graduates have received more than $1.5 million in private high school scholarships. Of the 94 alumni, 77% graduated from college within four years, a stark contrast to the 27% of CPS 9th graders who earn a college credential in ten years, according to a 2021 University of Chicago report.
The school thrives on private donations and partnerships, like the one with UIC. They focus on academic rigor and a holistic approach, considering mental and physical health and social skills. They’re also looking to expand their activities to make a lasting impact in the neighborhood.
Heybach, who’s 74, noticed the gap in college enrollment rates between public and private high school students while directing an after-school program for underrepresented kids. A 2013 report showed that about 45% of CPS graduates didn’t consider college or employment after graduation.
He wanted to help more middle schoolers get into prestigious high schools. With a background in business and a former board member of a West Side boys and girls club, he gathered a board of directors to create a new middle school model. They found a basement in a former convent and opened classes in 2013 with just one teacher and 16 students.
By 2014, Altus moved to its current location and gained recognition from the Illinois State Board of Education.
Now, the school has 75 students, with many coming from North Lawndale, Garfield Park, and Cicero. Almost all funding comes from private donors, and the budget has grown from $160,000 in 2013 to $780,000 for the 2023-2024 school year.
Principal Alfredo Villegas mentioned they’re working with consultants to boost fundraising efforts to gradually grow the school, aiming for about 150 students without compromising resources.
Olman Chaheine, who started at Altus in 7th grade, recalls being invited to sit and chat with other students instead of just jumping into sports. “It got me out of my shadow a lot,” he said, now a finance analyst at CBRE.
He joined Altus after his mom learned about the school’s scholarship opportunities. He received support to attend Chicago Hope Academy and later earned an Evans Scholarship to Marquette University.
Another alumnus, Isai Hernandez, said Altus taught him to be part of a support system, which helped him during internships at Deloitte. He graduated in 2017 and went on to Miami University with scholarship support.
Hernandez emphasized that Altus allowed him to focus on education without financial worries. “I shouldn’t be worrying about things I can’t control, like money,” he said.
His experience at Altus was like a “snowball effect,” introducing him to new opportunities and connections.
Diana Torres enrolled her three kids at Altus after a friend’s recommendation. Having immigrated from Mexico, she never got to attend college. Now, her children are learning about healthy eating through the Health and Wellness Academy.
Her daughter Ariana even started regulating their soda intake and brings home healthy recipes. Torres said, “It changed my daughters,” and now they’re more conscious about healthy eating.
Altus partnered with UIC in 2017, expanding in 2020 to open a health clinic in the school basement, providing free health exams for students and families.
They also partnered with United Stand Counseling to offer evaluations for learning differences and emotional challenges.
In 2022, Altus received a $210,000 state grant to buy their building and a former convent next door, which they plan to turn into a community center.
Villegas and Heybach are working with architects to create a space that includes the health clinic, a gym, and multipurpose areas for workshops and counseling.
Heybach aims to increase student enrollment to 130 and open new schools with a similar model to help more kids in different neighborhoods.
“We provide the support, but at the end of the day, they have to do it,” he said. “And they do it.”
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