In April of 2010, Mayor Richard Daley and Alderman George Cardenas, proudly took part in the development of the long awaited high school. A school, otherwise known as, Back of the Yards College Prep. Having finally opened in 2013, gained city-wide appraise due to its rigorous addition of the International Baccalaureate program. The Back of the Yards community did not have a neighborhood high school, which led many parents to send their children away to schools located all throughout the city.

This concern is what ultimately pushed the project forward in order to help lead students towards the path of success. The wall to wall IB program also allows students to exemplify their knowledge to greater lengths and have a higher opportunity of attending a university than students who don’t take IB.

Now, with the number of accolades that this school has gained in the short span of its existence, the need to preserve it has grown tremendously each year. The 2016-2017 school year is the first year in the school’s existence to have all four years present in the building. The increase of students means there is a higher regard for maintenance to be enforced upon.

The bathrooms on the third floor reek of putrid odors and have garbage left all over the floors, leaving more work for the custodians. The image of the school lies on each and every one of you, for this school has reached tremendous heights due to the amount of effort each and every one person in this building has put forth. The building is new and should be left looking spotless for future incoming bobcats to enjoy; please, don’t tarnish its image and make boycp notorious for its lack of care.

– Alex Ortega