Uplift High School has only about 100 students. Can the community save it from being a ‘failed experiment’?

CHICAGO — Uplift Community High School is described as a “pillar” of Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood by parents and former students. Sophomore Shyan Donley says the school has opened doors for her through field trips, social justice organizations and “experiences ... that can impact your future.”

But the school stands in a precarious position.

While Uplift was founded with the expectation its student body would primarily come from Uptown, it’s not designated a neighborhood school by Chicago Public Schools. Without a consistent stream of incoming students, or draws like International Baccalaureate or performing arts programs, its enrollment stands at 107 students. Last year,