Dear esteemed parents and guardians,

I write this letter of introduction to you as the newly appointed program director of the Carter G. Woodson Preparatory (CGWPrep) Academy with great pride and excitement. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a school with such a unique opportunity for innovation, educational excellence, and community transformation. I look forward to our journey ahead!

I have served in the field of education for more than twenty years. I have worked with a variety of scholars ranging in age from kindergarten to high school. My most recent administrative experience was in Chicago's Southside (specifically the Englewood community,) where I served as a principal in a K-8 school. I am excited and eager to bring my skills as an educational leader to CGWPrep and work with you as a partner in education to ensure your child's success.

Along with the teachers, staff, parents, and community partners, I will work hard to develop the legacy of success by building relationships and a strong sense of community. Our scholarly community will focus on literacy, Common Core skills, character education initiatives (e.g., PBIS and restorative practices), the use of data to drive instruction to the highest levels and provide consistent, rigorous instruction. In a nutshell, our goal will be to ensure that your scholar receives a world-class education.

Most importantly, this year will be ground-breaking and innovative as CGWPrep provides rigorous, relevant academic experiences in science, technology, engineering, and math experiences that will create solutionaries, scientists, engineers, computer scientists, mathematicians. Even as young scholars! There are no limits for young minds.

As your director, it is essential that everyone who steps through our doors -- students, parents, staff, members of the community -- are excited to be here! Know that through a pandemic and the building of the program, we remain connected at any distance. Please feel free to call or email me to discuss any concerns you might have now and throughout the school year.

Great work is ahead. I look forward to building with you.

Best regards,

Jocelyn Mills, program director

Question: Where will the school be located?
Answer: 123 E. Sixth St.

Question: When will the school open?
Answer: August 2021

Question: What grades will the school serve?
Answer: We will initially welcome 150 students in grades K-2 and then add a level every year through fifth grade. 

Question: How will students be selected?
Answer: Through a lottery process. 

Question: How much time do I have to accept or decline my offer?
Answer: Families have seven calendar days to respond.

Question: Will there be bus transportation?
Answer: Since the student population is determined by lottery following the magnet policy, bus stops will be placed at corners near students who qualify for free/reduced lunch.

Question: If I submit two applications, one for kindergarten and one for first grade, will both of my children receive an offer?
Answer: Our magnet policy provides a lottery weight for sibling preference.

Question: What should I do if my kindergarten student is not selected?
Answer: Families of incoming kindergarteners not selected for CGW Prep will need to register them as new students at their districted elementary school. 

Question: Whom should I contact to find out where my student(s) are on the waiting list?
Answer: Waitlisted applicants will be contacted according to space availability. If a family declines an offer or allows their offer to expire, the next applicant on the waitlist will receive an offer. We continue in order listed from the waitlist until spots are filled.

Contact: Email the program director