Programs 
Transforming Neighborhood Schools into
the Center of their Communities
"Local School Council Representatives meet at the North River Commission's Community Headquarters"
Advocate. Train. Lead.
Chicago’s Local School Councils (LSC) are a product of the Chicago School Reform Act of 1988. The North River Commission (NRC) was one of the original community development firms to advocate on behalf of the creation of LSCs when the original legislation was announced in the Illinois State House over 20 years ago. As a result, NRC has followed up that initial advocacy work with a number of different efforts targeted in order to train neighborhood-elected school officials with the skills necessary in order to lead urban school districts.
According to the University of Chicago's Consortium on School Research, the city’s highest performing schools share five common characteristics, including: (1) strong instructional leadership, (2) a welcoming learning climate, (3) an ambitious curriculum of instruction, (4) a high-level of professional capacity for faculty and staff, and (5) a vibrant working relationship with family and community stakeholders.
So aligned with the North River Commission’s belief in comprehensive community development, NRC views LSCs as vital tools in transforming neighborhood schools into becoming the center of their communities - increasing the quality of life and strengthening the local economy in neighborhoods across the City of Chicago.
If you are interested in becoming a Local School Council Representative or would like the North River Commission to organize a training opportunity for your school, please contact Pete Kalenik, NRC Education Coordinator, at: (773) 478-0202 ext. 111 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The Next Local School Council Elections Take Place: March 2012