MISSION

DRW College Prep challenges and supports students to become highly educated people of integrity who  positively impact their community. Our vision is live our G.R.I.T. values of Growth, Reflection, Integrity, and Teamwork as we prepare our scholars for success in college and beyond.

SCHOOL HISTORY

In August 2012, as the 12th Noble Network campus, we opened our doors to our first freshman class. Today, we serve 500 students grades 9th through 12th. In 2016, 100% of our first graduating seniors were accepted into college.

DRW College Prep was named for the generosity of the DRW Trading Group Foundation, and its founder, Don R. Wilson. The foundation’s commitment to high quality education is never-ending and are active members of our school community.

Our school is located in the former Sears Power House, which was constructed in 1905 and provided electricity, heat and cooling for the entire 55-acre complex. Our building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, cutting-edge sustainable technologies blend with original building features to preserve a connection to the old Sears complex. The US Green Building Council awarded the building LEED Platinum certification due to its many energy-efficient features including geothermal heating and cooling systems.

Each year, more than half of the our sophomore class studies in summer programs at the University of Michigan, the University of Arizona, Stanford, and many more as a part of Noble’s Summer of a Lifetime Program. The foundation along with DRW Trading donates money for scholarships for our qualifying sophomores to participate in college programs during the summer before their junior year. This program exposes our scholars to “life in college” to inspire and reward the hard work of being college bound.

DRW College Prep has been awarded several grants to continue our hard work in the North Lawndale and Homan communities.

Our students engage in a rigorous, four-year college preparatory curriculum preparing them for college success. We proudly offer more math, science, and history courses and instructional time than any other neighborhood school on the west side of Chicago. We also offer a state-of-the-art drama and music department, foreign language, and physical education. We are proud of our AP courses and Honors courses to enhance our student’s educational experience.

Our goal at DRW College Prep is to engage our students in rigorous academics, with a view toward attending and succeeding in college. The Noble Network operates on 18 campuses across Chicago, bringing quality education to more than 12,000 students every year.