College preparatory Jewish high school being built downtown Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago will soon see a new Jewish high school.

It's being built right in the heart of downtown Chicago.

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A professional-grade, over 500 capacity theater is just one of many state-of-the-art spaces being built in the multi-story high school. It's putting academic excellence at the forefront.

"We've got an incredible library, extraordinary views, a rooftop facility for outdoors, an incredible gym," said Tony Davis, who provided the naming gift for Davis School Chicago.

With seven stories, a two-story library, a basketball court, labs and classrooms and even a direct view of Navy Pier and downtown Chicago, it's a place bringing all the bells and whistles.

With Chicago having one of the largest Jewish populations in the country, Tony Davis said he and and his wife Laura wanted to fulfill that need at a high level with a new high school. Originally being built by a different company, construction and financing was stalled, and that's when the Davis family stepped in.

"It's a time in the Jewish community where people are looking for something like this," Tony Davis said.

More than $100 million is being poured into what will be Davis School Chicago, a college preparatory Jewish high school in Lakeshore East.

"You can't put a price tag on making a student feel at home and feel accepted and feel like they have the best chance to do the reach the limit of their potential," said J.R. Berger, Davis School Chicago board member.

Berger says the state-of-the-art institution is just the beginning. This is about giving the estimated 400 to 600 students the world class education they deserve, surrounded by good views and great opportunities.

"Fortune 500 companies, of incredible academic institutions at the collegiate level, of fantastic, fantastic nonprofits," Berger said. "Like, we have the ability to engage with them all right, at our doorstep."

There's more work to be done, but Davis said its on the way to being the ultimate stepping stone for students to chase their dreams.

"I want them to feel is an enormous sense of pride in themselves... and the opportunity to be part of one of the absolute best educational facilities in the United States," Davis said.

Davis School Chicago is expected to open its doors in fall of 2027.