Roger C. Sullivan High School in Chicago serves as a historic “landing pad” for waves of immigrant and refugee students, its student body representing over 30 languages and backgrounds. Journalist Elly Fishman spent three and a half years following the 2017–2018 school year as the subject of her book Refugee High: Coming of Age in America,…

At Sullivan High School, students from refugee and immigrant families gather each year to celebrate Thanksgiving together—sharing gratitude, culture, and community in a deeply moving tradition that honors resilience and belonging amid uncertain times. To read the article, visit the Chicago Sun times article.

After years of planning, Sullivan High celebrated a $25 million renovation that transformed the building into a modern learning environment, including the Ellen Glasser Global Center—a hub for student collaboration, culture, and global vision. To learn more, visit Friends of Sullivan.

Sullivan High’s principal, Chad Thomas, emphasizes that building trust and truly listening to staff needs are essential to school success—reminding leaders that empathy and consistency are just as critical as strategy and structure. To read this article, visit K-12 Drive.

Chad Adams‑Thomas, principal of Sullivan High School, made a personal commitment going into 2019 to prioritize listening to and supporting his teaching staff. Inspired by a mentor’s advice that “if you don’t feed the teachers they’ll eat the kids,” he focused on building relationships and understanding what his teachers needed to do their best work.…

This feature captures the heart of Sullivan High, where students from over 40 countries find sanctuary, identity, and hope—making it one of the most linguistically and culturally diverse schools in the nation. Chicago Magazine: Welcome to Refugee High To read this article, visit Chicago Magazine.

This story highlights how Sullivan High, often dubbed “Refugee High,” thrives through intentional partnerships, community investment, and a shared belief that when everyone contributes, students from all backgrounds have the power to excel. To read more, visit Chicago Sun Times.

A 2013–14 study by the University of Chicago Crime Lab revealed record safety gains in CPS schools, including major drops in suspensions and arrests—yet some advocates caution that deeper issues still need urgent attention. To read the full article, visit DNA info’s site.

Exploring how leadership pipelines like the SUPES Academy influence principal development, this follow-up article delves into the gaps, controversies, and lessons learned about training school leaders across Chicago’s public education system. To continue learning more, visit the Chicago Reporter.

This piece gives voice to CPS principals speaking candidly about the complex realities of leading Chicago schools—offering a rare, frontline perspective into educational leadership, policy tension, and the daily grind of doing what’s right. To learn more visit the Chicago Reporter.