Growing Uptown high school unveils artistic outdoor plaza

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez celebrated Tuesday renovations to the plaza outside Uplift Community High School in Uptown.

Principal Tyrese Graham welcomed them to the sunny plaza with light-colored bricks, several stone benches, new landscaping and fencing.

He said the new space that sits in front of existing tile mosaics on the building will be a place for the whole community to gather.

“We know that when we create spaces that are welcoming and inviting ideas get to be exchanged, and students’ lives are changed,” said Graham.

CEO Pedro Martinez applauded Graham for helping grow the school’s size to 227 students.

“We know we have the potential to double enrollment and continue to increase enrollment because families can see how their children are being loved and taken care of,” Martinez said.

Uplift was previously Arai Middle School. It was shuttered in 2004 as part of a wave of school closures.

Martinez highlighted the Uplift’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) program and a partnership with nearby Truman College that allows students to earn college credit.

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