Mayor Daley Joins Business & Education Leaders to Announce Creation of World-Class Math & Science Academy in West Humboldt Park

John and Jeanne Rowe today joined Mayor Richard M. Daley, Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan, and Frank and Vera Clark in West Humboldt Park to announce plans for a world-class math and science academy, guided by both families’ commitment to providing access to opportunity for all Chicago students. "The future of our children – and of our entire city – depends on schools that are capable of producing graduates who can perform the jobs of the 21st century economy, and also exercise their civic responsibilities,” said Daley. "I expect this school to be a great model of what we can accomplish when government partners with non-profits and civic-minded businesses like Exelon.” "Today we welcome another great educational option for Humboldt Park. Noble Street has proven its ability to run a good school, and now - with the support of Exelon - they are taking that successful model into new neighborhoods. We’re deeply grateful for the opportunity they are providing our children,” said Duncan. The new academy will serve about 530 Chicago students, grades 9-12, and will be a campus of Noble Street Charter School, which brings a strong track record for academic success and enriched curriculum. The donations for the new academy include $2 million from the Rowe Family Charitable Trust, a $200,000 contribution from Frank and Vera Clark, and $2 million from Chicago-based Exelon Corporation to the Renaissance Schools Fund in support of the academy. In an announcement ceremony held today at the site of the high school campus at 3645 W. Chicago Ave., John Rowe, Exelon’s chairman and CEO, praised Mayor Daley’s leadership for placing education at the top of the city’s agenda for success. Rowe also shared his family’s belief that educational institutions and opportunities can propel individual success and transform communities. This academy is the culmination of his long-term commitment to education and helping to provide others with the access to the kinds of education needed to compete and succeed in a global marketplace. "Our mission is to launch a world-class math and science academy in one of the city’s most diverse communities, to create opportunity and spark interest in the educational skills that drive local, national and international economies. This academy is where tomorrow’s scientists will learn today,” said Rowe. Rowe also thanked his wife Jeanne, his son Bill, his colleague Frank Clark, ComEd chairman and CEO, and his wife, Dr. Vera Clark, for continuing their commitment to Chicago communities with their personal contribution to help launch the academy. "Today’s announcement fulfills a personal dream for Vera and me,” said Clark. "We know what an education does to broaden a person’s horizons and expand the realm of opportunity and available careers. Our family shares in the excitement of every family who will send their sons and daughters to this top-notch academy.” During today’s event, Ron Manderschied, Noble Street President & CEO, announced that the school will be named the Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy, The Exelon Campus of Noble Street Charter School, in honor of its generous donors. He also outlined the academy’s approach to success and enhanced instruction plans. "This next Noble Street campus is another step toward the educational excellence that we are committed to creating and delivering for Chicago students,” said Manderschied. "In the Rowe and Clark families, and with Exelon and its employee volunteers as partners, we have assembled a team that can bring our math and science curriculum to the next level.” Noble Street shares the donors’ goal of meeting the highest standards of educational excellence to prepare a diverse student population for success in college and the 21st Century workforce. The academy will create an academic and community culture that recognizes math and science education as a key building block for community empowerment and individual opportunity. Students at the academy will receive an enhanced math and science curriculum that is more intensive than traditional public schools. They will benefit from two additional years of math programming, giving them a total of six credits over four years; and four lab sciences: freshman physics, biology, chemistry, and calculus-based physics. As part of this rigorous training, at least two AP science courses are also planned. Academy students will spend an additional month in school per year with a curriculum that includes about 33 percent more reading and math instruction. For the community, there will also be an after-school or summer math and science program for students from nearby schools, grades 6-8. Walter Burnett, Jr., 27th Ward Alderman whose ward includes the West Humboldt Park community, also shared his support for the math and science academy. "I applaud Exelon and Noble for dedicating their resources to the students and families of West Humboldt Park. Tomorrow’s scientists will receive a world-class education to launch their careers here within the walls of this center of educational excellence,” said Burnett. Today’s announcement concluded with the personal experience of a recent Noble Street graduate. Tiffany Hinton, a nursing major at UIC and a graduate of the Noble Street class of 2003, said that her Noble Street education spurred her academic success and plans for the future. All Chicago students entering 9th grade will be eligible for admission, with a lottery system determining the final selection if applications exceed slots. This Noble Street campus will begin to build its student body by accepting 145 students for its first freshman class in the fall of 2007. For more information on the Rowe - Clark Math & Science Academy, visit www.noblenetwork.org or www.exeloncorp.com/community/mathandscienceacademy. Exelon Corporation is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities with approximately 5.2 million customers and more than $15 billion in annual revenues. The company has one of the industry’s largest portfolios of electricity generation capacity, with a nationwide reach and strong positions in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Exelon distributes electricity to approximately 5.2 million customers in Illinois and Pennsylvania and natural gas to more than 470,000 customers in southeastern Pennsylvania. Exelon is headquartered in Chicago and trades on the NYSE under the ticker EXC. The Noble Network of Charter Schools operates Noble Street Charter School, a public charter high school serving low-income, minority students on multiple campuses. Noble Street’s mission is to prepare Chicago’s youth to function successfully in society by requiring and facilitating educational excellence, civic responsibility and respect for the community, the environment and people from all walks of life. In 2007-2008, the school will operate five high school campuses and serve more than 1,100 students; the school is in the midst of a replication plan that will expand the student body to approximately 3,500 students on seven campuses beginning in 2011. Noble Street Charter School is the top-ranked non-selective high school in Chicago. Each year, approximately 95% of the senior class graduates and more than 80% enroll in college. Key Facts: Located in existing building at 3645 W. Chicago Ave, in Chicago’s West Humboldt Park community, which will be remodeled to open as a charter school campus in Fall 2007. Plans to serve 530 students, grades 9-12. Opening with about 145 freshmen and adding about that number of freshmen yearly until it reaches capacity. All Chicago students entering 9th grade are eligible for admission. A lottery system determines the final selection of incoming students, if applications exceed slots. No tuition or admissions examinations are required. Student recruitment will focus on the surrounding communities of Humboldt Park, West Town, and Garfield Park. Donors contributing $4.2 million. The Noble Network of Charter Schools, with a proven track record for success, will operate the academy: -- For the past 7 years, Noble Street Charter School has consistently ranked in the top 15 of all Chicago Public Schools based on Prairie State Achievement Examination test scores.   -- 100 percent of graduates have been accepted to college and more than 80 percent attend college. Mission: Provide Chicago students in one of the city’s most ethnically diverse communities with the opportunity to attend a world-class math and science academy. Create an opportunity for students to acquire the education/skills needed to play a substantial role in the local, national, and international market of the future. Build on Exelon’s existing "Energy for Education” initiatives and advance the company’s philanthropic model that donates resources, encourages volunteerism, and partners with valued community organizations and institutions. Founding Educational Principles: Meet the highest standards of educational excellence to prepare a diverse student population for success in their college careers and the 21st Century workforce. Implement a disciplined environment and dynamic curriculum that sparks interest and innovation in math and science. Create an academic and community culture that recognizes math and science education as a key building block for community empowerment and individual success. Noble Street Curriculum Model in General: Focuses on post-secondary endeavors: educational model focuses on efforts to improve student achievement in secondary schools. Focuses on a rigorous learning environment: raises academic standards, strengthens and diversifies the academic curriculum and provides a supportive learning environment, while also attracting and retaining high-performing teachers. Nurtures life-long success: students learn in innovative institutions and engage in positive interpersonal relationships that bridge the gap between high school and post-secondary education. Enhanced Math & Science Instruction at the Academy: Academy will require 6 credits in math for graduation, compared with 3 required credits for traditional public school students. Science curriculum is more rigorous than traditional public schools, requiring students to pass four lab sciences: freshman physics, biology, chemistry and calculus-based physics. At least two AP science courses are also planned. Academy students will spend 1 additional month in school per year as compared with the traditional public school year and receive about 33 percent more reading and math instruction. The academy will provide an after-school or summer math and science program for community students, grades 6-8. Exelon Curriculum Enhancements: Exelon’s strong employee volunteer and giving programs, as well as Employee Network Groups, will be focused on the academy and its surrounding community. Volunteers will participate in activities such as after-school programs, tutoring, and one-on-one mentoring. Exelon plans to expand its existing education programs such as summer jobs, stay-in school initiative, internships, math and science fair/club sponsorships, and create an Exelon Scholarship program. In addition to the financial contributions, the Rowes, the Clarks, Exelon executives and employees are personally committed to continuing involvement in school governance: an Exelon executive will serve on the Noble Network of Charter Schools Board; and the Rowes, Clarks and Exelon executives will serve on an advisory committee to the Academy. John Rowe, Frank Clark, and other Exelon executives will have the opportunity to participate at the academy in a guest lecture series, career fairs, and other planned programs. Donations: Rowe Family Charitable Trust (John, Jeanne and Bill Rowe): $2 million Frank and Vera Clark: $200,000 Exelon Corporation: $2 million to the Renaissance Schools Fund in support of the academy Exelon Energy for Education: Educational initiatives are a long-standing area of focus for Exelon’s philanthropic giving and employee volunteerism. In 2006, the company’s philanthropic giving totaled $33 million, 21 percent of which was dedicated to education-related funding. -- Exelon-United Way "Stay in School" Initiative: The company has partnered with three leading Chicago youth agencies (BUILD, Center for New Horizons, and Youth Guidance) to reduce high school drop out rates in the Humboldt Park, Bronzeville, and Austin communities. The program targets 1,400 teenagers from 12 CPS schools, and the success rate is 100 percent.   -- Chicago Math & Science Initiative: $500,000 grant to Chicago Public Schools to improve the math and science curriculum at four CPS elementary schools.   -- Exelon Environmental Fellow: An industry-leading initiative that created a new learning module for CPS students. Thousands of students have participated in hands-on outdoor labs that use the city's parks and natural areas as classrooms.   -- In addition to CPS, Exelon also contributes to the Big Shoulders Fund, which supports Chicago Archdiocese schools in low-income communities, including Pope John Paul II Catholic School on Chicago's west side and St. Margaret of Scotland in the Beverly community. The company's involvement reaches beyond financial support, including board membership by company executives and volunteer action by employee network groups. For more information: Call Noble Street at 773-278-6895 Or visit the website for details www.Noblenetwork.org or www.exeloncorp.com/community/mathandscienceacademy