Morgan Park Academy (MPA) is a coeducational, college preparatory, independent

day school A day school — as opposed to a boarding school — is an educational institution where children are given instruction during the day, after which the students return to their homes. A day school has full-day programs when compared to a regular s ...

serving pre-kindergarten through

12th grade Twelfth Grade (also known as Grade 12, Senior Year, Standard 12, 12th Standard, 12th Class, or Class 12th or Class 12) is the twelfth and final Educational stage, year of Formal education, formal or compulsory education. It is typically the final ...

. It is located in the Morgan Park neighborhood on the south side of

Chicago, Illinois Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

. Founded in 1873, Morgan Park Academy was formerly known as Mt. Vernon Military Academy, Morgan Park Military Academy (MPMA), briefly as the Illinois Military Academy, and Morgan Park Academy of the University of Chicago. Between 1892 and 1906 MPA had a very close connection with the

University of Chicago The University of Chicago (UChicago, Chicago, or UChi) is a Private university, private research university in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Its main campus is in the Hyde Park, Chicago, Hyde Park neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, Chic ...

, with its graduates being specifically groomed to enter the recently founded university.

History

The school was founded as Mt. Vernon Military and Classical Academy in 1873 as a "proprietary school" owned by the headmaster, and run as a for-profit institution. Students paid for room and board, as well as for education, uniforms, and maintenance. While the school was renamed Morgan Park Military Academy in 1877, the school was briefly (1890–92) incorporated as the Illinois Military Academy. In 1892,

William Rainey Harper William Rainey Harper (July 24, 1856 – January 10, 1906) was an American academic leader, an accomplished semiticist, and Baptist clergyman. Harper helped to establish both the University of Chicago and Bradley University and served as the i ...

, acting as the first president of the University of Chicago, joined the recently formed Owen Academy to the school. The academy's land was purchased, and all operations were moved there, renaming the school "Morgan Park Academy of the University of Chicago", where students were to be specifically prepared for entrance into the new university. At this time, the school was integrated, made non-sectarian, and was made co-ed. Teachers at the school were considered a part of the University of Chicago faculty, instead of being considered separate. Among the faculty was the school's

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

coach,

Amos Alonzo Stagg Amos Alonzo Stagg (August 16, 1862 – March 17, 1965) was an American athlete and college coach in multiple sports, primarily American football. He served as the head football coach at the International YMCA Training School (now called Springfie ...

, who also coached at the university. In 1906, the University of Chicago ended its relationship with the school. The school reverted to an all-male military school. During the

Great Depression The Great Depression was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939. The period was characterized by high rates of unemployment and poverty, drastic reductions in industrial production and international trade, and widespread bank and ...

the school expanded, creating a junior college, and extending summer classes to students from nearby public and parochial schools. In 1958, the school ended its time as a military school, finally becoming Morgan Park Academy. Girls were readmitted in 1959, and the boarding aspect of the school was phased out over ten years.History of Morgan Park Academy

Academics

The Lower School runs from pre-kindergarten through grade 5. The curriculum emphasizes problem-solving and higher-order thinking rather than rote learning and drill. Students are involved in at least one major dramatic performance per year. Computers are used in the classroom and students develop technology skills in regular lab classes. The Middle School includes grades 6 through 8. It emphasizes independent learning, and offers a foundation in English, mathematics, science, music, drama, art, physical education, social studies, world languages and technology. At this level, the faculty work with students to teach them to organize learning and absorb information into a meaningful whole that supports independent learning. Each Middle School student has a faculty advisor with whom he or she meets in a small group and individually to discuss academic, social and personal concerns. The purpose of the advisor group is to strengthen the student's role within the Academy community by allowing advisees the opportunity to make personal connections, develop a group affiliation, and build their academic and interpersonal skills within the group. Co-curricular opportunities include cultural immersion trips that supplement the Spanish and French programs, spring trips with their class, sports activities (soccer, basketball, softball, baseball, volleyball) and a variety of clubs (Math, Science, French, Spanish, Geography and Chess). Middle School students also have the opportunity to be involved in the Leadership Council that plans and organizes service and social activities for the school year. The Upper School, which encompasses Grades 9 through 12, completes the program of college preparation. As students transition from the Middle to the Upper School, learning continues to be authentic and engaging with curriculum offerings at three levels: college preparatory, honors, and advanced placement. The Upper School program provides athletic, artistic and leadership opportunities. It fields a variety of athletic teams; provides opportunities in the performing arts, including band, chorus and theater productions; and offers numerous co-curricular offerings to develop leadership ability. Students compete in divisional, regional, and statewide academic and athletic competitions, including previous recognition in the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) and Rube Goldberg contests. The school offers 13

Advanced Placement Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the United States and Canada created by the College Board. AP offers undergraduate university-level curricula and examinations to high school students. Colleges and universities in the US and elsewhere ...

courses.

Athletics

The school fields interscholastic teams for Upper School and Middle School students in baseball, boys basketball, girls basketball, cross country, boys soccer, girls soccer, and girls volleyball. Upper School boys and girls can also compete on varsity tennis teams. Known as the Warriors, the school's junior varsity and varsity teams compete interscholastically as members of the Independent School League, which comprises independent private schools in the Chicago area. The school also competes in state championship tournaments sponsored by the

Illinois High School Association The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) is an association that regulates competition of interscholastic sports and some interscholastic activities at the high school level for the state of Illinois. It is a charter member of the National F ...

(IHSA). The following teams finished in the top four of their respective state tournaments sponsored by the IHSA. * Golf (boys): 4th place (1955–56) * Soccer (boys): 4th place (2006–07) * Track & Field (boys): 4th place (1915–16) While the school no longer sponsors

, in its early days Morgan Park Academy produced several notable football teams.

, the coach at the

, coached the school's football team for a time. On November 23, 1901, the school became the first Illinois school to travel outside the border states to play a football game, playing University High School of Cleveland to a 0–0 tie. Three alumni are members of the

College Football Hall of Fame The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and interactive Tourist attraction, attraction devoted to college football, college American football. The National Football Foundation (NFF) founded the Hall in 1951 to immortalize the players ...

(two as coaches, one as a player).

Notable alumni

Albert Benbrook Albert "Benny" Benbrook (August 24, 1887 – August 16, 1943) was an American football guard (American football), guard who played for the University of Michigan Michigan Wolverines football, Wolverines from 1908 to 1910. He was chosen by Walte ...

, two-time All-American (1909–10)

guard Guard or guards may refer to: Professional occupations * Bodyguard, who protects an individual from personal assault * Crossing guard, who stops traffic so pedestrians can cross the street * Lifeguard, who rescues people from drowning * Prison gu ...

for the

University of Michigan The University of Michigan (U-M, U of M, or Michigan) is a public university, public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Mi ...

; elected to the

in 1971 * Albert E. Bennett, Illinois State Senator and lawyer * Patrick Bertoletti, internationally known competitive eater * Ellsworth B. Buck, member of the US House of Representatives from New York from (1944-1949) * Lloyd Burdick (1909–1945), American football player * Richard M. Chitwood, Texas state legislator from 1921 to 1925; first business manager of

Texas Tech University Texas Tech University (Texas Tech, Tech, or TTU) is a public university, public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and called Texas Technological College until 1969, it is the flagship instit ...

* Richard L. Duchossois (class of 1940), entrepreneur, Chairman of the Duchossois Group, and owner of Arlington Race Track * Edward C. Eicher, Congressman (1933–38) and chief justice of the District Court of the United States for the District of Columbia (1942–44); from 1941–42, he was the fifth Chairman of the

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is an independent agency of the United States federal government, created in the aftermath of the Wall Street crash of 1929. Its primary purpose is to enforce laws against market m ...

* Jason Ervin (Class of 1992), Alderman for Chicago’s 28th ward since 2011. * Jesse Harper (class of 1902), coached

Knute Rockne Knute Kenneth Rockne (; March 4, 1888 – March 31, 1931) was an American football player and coach at the University of Notre Dame. Leading Notre Dame for 13 seasons, Rockne accumulated over 100 wins and three national championships. Rockne is ...

(who would immediately follow him) as head football coach at the

University of Notre Dame The University of Notre Dame du Lac (known simply as Notre Dame; ; ND) is a Private university, private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1842 by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a Cathol ...

(1913–17); served as Notre Dame's head basketball coach, and later served as ND's

athletic director An athletic director (commonly "athletics director" or "AD") is an administrator at many American clubs or institutions, such as colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches a ...

; elected to the

with fellow alum Ben Benbrook in 1971 * Maestro Harrell (class of 2009), professional singer and actor, best known as Randy Wagstaff on the

HBO Home Box Office (HBO) is an American pay television service, which is the flagship property of namesake parent-subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is based a ...

series ''

The Wire ''The Wire'' is an American Crime fiction, crime Drama (film and television), drama television series created and primarily written by the American author and former police reporter David Simon for the cable network HBO. The series premiered o ...

'' and as young Cassius Clay in the film '' Ali'' * Al Hoffman, Jr. (class of 1952), former United States Ambassador to Portugal, former CEO of WCI Communities * Arthur W. Hummel, Sr. (class of 1905), Christian missionary to China; served from 1928 to 1954 as the first Chief of the Asian Division of the

Library of Congress The Library of Congress (LOC) is a research library in Washington, D.C., serving as the library and research service for the United States Congress and the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It also administers Copyright law o ...

* Don A. Moore, Illinois lawyer, judge, and politician * Paula Newsome (class of 1979), actor best known for television work including

Barry (TV series) ''Barry'' is an American black comedy crime drama television series created by Alec Berg and Bill Hader that premiered on HBO on March 25, 2018, and concluded on May 28, 2023, after four seasons and 32 episodes. Hader stars as Barry Berkman, a ...

. * Steven Rosengard (class of 1995),

fashion designer Fashion design is the Art (skill), art of applied arts, applying design, aesthetics, clothing construction, and natural beauty to clothing and its Fashion accessory, accessories. It is influenced by diverse cultures and different trends and has va ...

; appeared on the popular television series ''Project Runway'' * Matt "Money" Smith (class of 1991), nationally syndicated sports radio personality, co-host of ''The Petros and Money Show'' on FOX Sports Radio * Donald T. Swinarski, Illinois businessman and politician *

Wallace Wade William Wallace Wade (June 15, 1892 – October 6, 1986) was an American football player and coach of football, basketball, and baseball, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at the University of Alabama fr ...

(class of 1913), head baseball and head football coach at the

University of Alabama The University of Alabama (informally known as Alabama, UA, the Capstone, or Bama) is a Public university, public research university in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States. Established in 1820 and opened to students in 1831, the University of ...

(1923–30), winning three national championships in football; head football coach at

Duke University Duke University is a Private university, private research university in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present-day city of Trinity, North Carolina, Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1 ...

(1931–41, 46–50); Duke's

Wallace Wade Stadium Wallace Wade Stadium, in full Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium, is a 35,018-seat outdoor stadium in the southeastern United States, located on the campus of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Primarily used for American football, it i ...

is named in his honor; inducted into the

in 1951 * Kareem Daniel, Former Disney executive *James H. McClure (class of 1935), Summa cum Laude graduate all four years, corporate manufacturing executive and World War II U.S. Army Signal Corps officer who entered Tokyo three days prior to Japan's surrender.

References

External links

* {{authority control Private elementary schools in Chicago Private middle schools in Chicago Independent School League Educational institutions established in 1873 Private high schools in Chicago Preparatory schools in Illinois 1873 establishments in Illinois