Hello Sullivan Family and Friends,
As we reflect on the past school year, we’re filled with immense pride and gratitude for the incredible achievements of our students, staff, and the entire Sullivan community. It was a year marked by dedication, resilience, and countless successes, both big and small.
We saw our students excel academically, artistically, and athletically, demonstrating their passion and commitment in every endeavor. Conference championships in football and our boys’ soccer team, to our boys’ and girls basketball state playoff opportunities, to our FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) students’ top state performances, and qualifying for Nationals for the second straight year.
For the second straight year, we have seen success in the classroom in terms of our students ‘ performance on the Advanced Placement exams, averaging scores of 3 (out of 5) during the 23/24 School year and 2.75 (out of 5) for the school year 24/25. We had several students qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy, and several received commendations for it as well. More than 40 Sullivan graduates earned more than 270 college credits (2 students earned more than 15 credits; that is a savings of more than $40,000 in tuition for the class of 2025!
After a long hiatus, our students took the initiative to revive the Navillus, the school yearbook. Our freshman-on-track rate, a key metric for Chicago Public Schools, increased by 21 percentage points. This means more students are more likely to graduate and graduate on time.
We leaned into creating a climate and culture at Sullivan that values the whole student. We increased our restorative justice practices for students who made less-than-favorable choices by over 100% while decreasing out-of-school suspensions by 42%. This led to a climate and culture of student-to-student repair and accountability for decisions without missing instructional time and building deeper relationships among our students.
From groundbreaking capstone projects through World Repair, to captivating musical performances and thrilling athletic victories, the list of Sullivan accomplishments brought so much joy and recognition to our school and community. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our dedicated teachers and staff, who consistently go above and beyond to create a nurturing and challenging learning environment.
We’re also incredibly grateful for the continued partnership of our families, volunteers, and local organizations, such as our Friends of Sullivan, Sullivan Alumnae, The Office of Alderwoman Maria Hadden, the Office of State Senator Mike Simmons, who brought words of encouragement to our newest graduates in June, to Loyola University who has continued to be a constant and steady member of the Sullivan community.
Your engagement, support, and tireless efforts have made a difference in our students’ lives and contribute to our schools’ vibrant spirit.
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As we close the chapter on a successful year, we are buzzing with excitement for what the new school year will bring. We are eager to welcome back our returning students and warmly greet our new ones, embarking together on another journey of discovery, growth, and achievement.
While several familiar faces are embarking on a new chapter in their professional journey, we welcome several new faces to the Sullivan family this school year.
We have exciting new programs, as we prepare to offer Arabic as a foreign language option, initiatives such as a dedicated wellness space, and opportunities planned that we believe will further enrich the educational experience for all.
We are excited about the potential of having you, our parents, guardians, and community members come alongside us and share in the experiences.
Thank you for being an integral part of the Sullivan family. We look forward to another year of collaboration, shared success, and creating lasting memories for our students.
Yours in Service,
Jeffery D. Cooks, M. Ed.
Principal
Sullivan High School