High school opens in Bridgeport for 1st time in nearly a decade

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A new high school has opened in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood on the South Side for the first time in nearly a decade.

In the old building, teachers had to share classrooms, and students had to take turns for lunch. But the new building means high schoolers not only get more room, but expanded services just for them.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

"They were just talking about opening a soccer team for girls. All we have is boys right now," said Anjalee Ramirez, 15.

As Ramirez heads into her sophomore year, she's stepping into a new school and new opportunities for the first time since kindergarten. She's only known McKinley High as a shared K through 12 space.

"It was more focused on the younger kids. Now, it's like focused on the big kids, and it's expanding a lot for us," Ramirez said.

The Horizon Science Academy McKinley High School, owned by Concept Schools, is giving space to the big kids.

They also took the advice to use songs instead of a bell between passing periods.

RELATED: Students at U-46 in Elgin, Illinois' 2nd largest school district, return to class Monday

"This is a free school. We offer robotics; we offer international trips to our students, which are experiences that in many public schools they may not be able to go or to attend," Spanish teacher Vianty Gonzalez said.

The school is preparing to offer those opportunities to the nearly 400 high school students, bringing in a new era for those like Gonzalez, who will finally have her own classroom.

"Especially in the South Side of Chicago, when many schools are closing, and we're actually opening one," Gonzalez said.

It's been a long time coming in Bridgeport.

"I'm pinching myself because it's real," 11th Ward Alderwoman Nicole Lee said. "The staff and the sort of power behind the school, they're so dedicated that they're not going to let it fail."

Still, even Ramirez has a few nerves embarking into the new campus, but she says the school still keeps the feeling of family no matter where they go.

"As much as people think it's crazy that we were a K through eight, you were there for so long that you felt like a family," Ramirez said.

The first day of school for Horizon Science Academy McKinley Park High is this Thursday.