How to Walk to School/Nettelhorst

"Nettelhorst School's transformation from a struggling school into a vibrant educational community is an inspiration. I hope their story—a story of dedicated parents and innovative administrators—will embolden reformers across the country to step forward and take back their schools." —Richard J. Durbin, United States Senator for Illinois, Assistant Majority Leader

"An unbelievable change, from caterpillar to butterfly, and it happened right in my own backyard in Chicago. How to Walk to School moved me to tears...it's one of the most absolutely beautiful, heartwarming stories I've read in a long time." —Nate Berkus, decorator and featured design expert on the Oprah Winfrey Show

When two gutsy moms ventured inside Nettelhorst, their neighborhood's underutilized and struggling public elementary school, the new principal asked what it would take for them to enroll their children. Stunned by her candor, they returned the next day armed with an extensive wish list. The principal read their list and said Well, let's get started, girls! It's going to be a busy year

How to Walk to School is the story—from the highs to the lows—of motivated neighborhood parents galvanizing and then organizing an entire community to take a leap of faith, transforming a challenged urban school into one of Chicago's best, virtually overnight. Susan Kurland, Nettelhorst's new and entrepreneurial principal, and Jacqueline Edelberg, the neighborhood mom, prove that the fate of public education is not beyond our control. How to Walk to School provides an accessible and honest blueprint for reclaiming the great public schools our children deserve.

To learn more, check out www.howtowalktoschool.com or How to Walk to School on Facebook, where you will also find photographer and artist credits.

Music credits: Justin Roberts, who sings "Great Big Sun," rocked the house at the Parent Co-op's very first fundraiser at the Lakeshore Theater. Ralph Covert, who sings Many Things to Know had Nettelhorst students dancing on their feet in the school library. From the amazing For the Kids Too! album, Catch the Moon by Lisa Loeb and Elizabeth Michell and Rainbow Connection by Jason Mraz.

• Category

  Education

[George Kalergis]

What a wonderful and inspiring story. Gives me hope for humanity.

[michinsushi]

Omg I have been going to this school since pre-k and now I am in 6th grade, AHHHHH IM GOING TO MISS THIS SCHOOL WHEN I LEAVE and can't believe cenk ends the video

[i0sleep0alot]

yes, we do. But you get out of uniform fridays every week if you have good behavior lol

[electra402]

do u wear unifroms 6-8 grade

[MayaMusicLover11]

this is my school!!!!!!!!!!!!!you should totally check it out!!!!!!!!!!!!!it is like a dream!!!!!!!!!!!if you think the pictures are cool then imagine it 10 times better causr that's what it is like!!!!

[STEELEXREX]

WOW!

[newschoolthinking]

I applaud your efforts. it is clear that you put a huge amount of work into this and have transformed a school. The artwork is absolutely beautiful.

At the same time I would like to put a challenge to you. Prove to me that this was not just the result of "gentrification" (plus a heck of a lot of hard work by parents) by doing the same thing in a neighborhood that is currently massively resource-deprived (take a drive through the West Side or South side and pick just about any school). PLEASE?

[justinbnewfan]

this is my school my fav school ever my school just won 100,000 today from the contest with us cellular we were the 10th and final school that won yaaaaa!!!!

[marciakresge]

beautiful inspiration for all of us inner city parents and community members. I want this book .

[Rickey Gold]

Fabulous!