Chicago Hope Academy Newsletter

Chicago Hope Academy Fall 2023 Newsletter Hope is on the move. Bigger and better than ever, we continue coupling ambition with character as we approach Thanksgiving.

With 20 AP and Honors Classes outpacing our 18 athletics programs, we prioritize faith as the foundation of the Hope Triangle. We are privileged to pray before first period Biology, pray before Tacos de Picadillo at lunch with Ms. Irma, and pray before the national anthem under the Friday Night Lights. It’s what we do, it’s who we are, and it anchors Hope as a purposedriven institution.

As we expand our opportunities set in year nineteen, we are excited to announce two transformational partnerships at Hope. Our Athletics Complex is officially the new home to Special Olympics Chicago, so our students will earn dozens of service hours over the next few decades as they: “look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). The second amazing initiative is a Trades and Career Pathway in collaboration with the Untapped Potential Project. Our students who choose a career path in the trades have the opportunity to embrace the calling of Isaiah 58:12: “You will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”

We love to be a college AND life preparatory school where students are celebrated for pursuing a variety of postsecondary passions. Our budget of $5 million empowers our 300 students to be high-impact leaders who value integrity, and it also allows over 10,000 athletes to utilize our facilities as a safe haven in Chicago.

We love to be a college AND life preparatory school where students are celebrated for pursuing a variety of post-secondary passions.

I ask for your continued support for the beacon of Hope to keep shining on the West Side of Chicago. There is work to be done, and the time is now.

Let’s continue building together,

Ike Muzikowski Principal and President

Give at: chicagohopeacademy.org/donate

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Finding Opportunity in a New Sport Staff Spotlight Senior Xavier Ortiz has earned a full tuition scholarship to Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, where he will couple his passion for Biomedical Engineering and rowing! Ranked first in his class, Xavier was introduced to rowing during his sophomore year when Chicago Community Sculling visited Hope.

“They brought some ergs into the gym and the whole school had a competition,” Xavier said.

After winning the Sculling challenge, Xavier joined the rowing team and has seen great improvement in his physical health.

As a driven student, Xavier praises the way rowing has changed his daily life outside of the sport.

“I’ve gotten more routine-oriented and definitely more patient. You’ll be on the machine doing that same movement for an hour five days a week. But when you see your progress and numbers getting better, the dopamine hits,” Xavier said.

Since beginning his journey in rowing, Xavier has improved his 2km time by 3 minutes. He hopes to row in college and will continue training this winter to meet a qualifying standard. Xavier rows on the Chicago river when weather permits, but he regularly trains in the Hope gym - right across the street from Altgeld Park where he was first introduced to Hope.

The Ortiz family connected with CHA through the Near West Little League over ten years ago.

Principal Ike and his brothers coached Xavier and his brother, Noah, in baseball. While Noah continues to focus on baseball as his main sport, Xavier has found it more fruitful to focus his time on rowing. “I recommend sticking to one sport and being good at it instead of doing multiple and being okay at many, “ Xavier said.

Thanks to Chicago Community Sculling, Xavier was gifted an erg so that he could practice at home.

With an academic courseload full of AP classes, he will occasionally miss a day of team training. He appreciates that his coaches are understanding and provide an alternative workout that he can complete at home. As he advances toward the Hope finish line, Xavier is proud to leave a legacy as the first rower in school history.

Xavier Ortiz (second from left), his brother Noah (far left), and other Chicago students row the St. Joseph River in Michigan

In the Halls of Hope

Caroline Jacob, sophomore

Colbi (bottom left) with her DG

Colbi Wilder, sophomore

Keith Malan, senior

“I moved to Chicago last November from India. I went to a school near my house but didn’t really like it because it was so different from what I was used to.

I was praying for a new school and looked online and found Hope. Finding friends here was way easier. The community feels like a family.”

“One of my favorite things about Hope is my Discipleship Group.

We started to do this thing where we cut out little hearts and write positive messages on them and pass them out to encourage each other.”

Iztli Cardenas, junior

Roy Phelps, junior

Jaden Rivas, freshman

“The Honors and AP classes at Hope push me to work harder and learn more. They are excellent courses with amazing teachers who will take the time to really aid you when you don't understand something. I love being challenged and learning in an environment where I know I won't be judged.”

“I found Hope through wrestling.

My club team told me about it and my parents and I visited and we loved it. I was going to go to a big school, but I chose small class sizes and having a connection with my teachers over that. My goal this year is to be a state champ in wrestling.”

“I didn’t feel like I fit in here at first.

But then I found people who I can relate to, and people who are encouraging even if we don’t relate. Now, Hope is like home. I can come here and feel comfortable and safe. I can talk to people about things I wouldn’t talk about normally.”

“I joined book club after school at Hope because I was interested in reading more books and watching less TikTok. I’ve never had Mr. Schreiber as a teacher, but since being in book club he’s been an inspiration to me. I love that I get to talk to someone as well-read and interesting as him.”

Thank you for your support!

Senior quarterback, Eddie Jenkins, leads the Enjoying Ms. Irma’s football team into the Homecoming pep rally. quesadillas in the cafeteria.

Hope Girls Volleyball wins the Regional Championship and celebrates Senior Night.

The football team dominated Santa Fe Christian in a pre-season game. The Eagles are 11-1 and competing in their first ever state semifinals at the time of publication!

“Thank you to all who have given so generously to our program this season and over the years. Your prayers, words, counsel, time, and gifts have helped us grow into who we are individually and corporately. I am grateful to lead these young men who have learned to stop playing WITH each other and now play FOR each other. What an amazing ministry.” - Coach Mallette

Ways to Give

Thank you for your contribution to the important mission of Chicago Hope Academy! We offer many ways to give, including: Planned giving Giving a stock gift Corporate sponsorship of events Making a gift through a Donor Advised Fund Giving through Invest in Kids, a tax incentive program where you get a 75% state income tax credit for the amount of your donation.

To give securely online or for more information on all of our Ways to Give, please scan the QR code!