Latin School of Chicago

"I really never felt like I faced any kind of discrimination at Latin. Looking back, the only time I recall there being a problem was in fourth grade. We were in the Choraliers singing group. We were supposed to sing at the Casino Club for Christmas, dressed as little slaves. Until the day of the performance, everything was fine and we were part of every practice. But on the day, at the very last minute, we were told that there weren't enough costumes and that Eric and I would not be able to go. I don't know if I was aware at the time what was happening, but over the years, it is something I have sometimes wondered about." – Carole Towne '69, who with her cousin Eric Louie '69 were the first non-Caucasian students at Latin. school from nearby homes, now scores of students step out of cars and off buses and subways each day. These students are no longer simply a mix of European ancestries, but now bring a global heritage, with family backgrounds in Africa, Asia and South and Central America. With the school awarding more than $3.1 million in need-based financial aid annually and about 13 percent of students receiving some level of assistance, the socioeconomic makeup of the school also has broadened and is much more reflective of the city it serves. Considering Latin's past, these gains have been dramatic. When Latin first opened its doors in 1888, it aspired to improve the educational opportunities of the children of the handful of Gold Coast families. As time went on, the hope was that even more families in the neighborhood would see the value of the rigorous college preparatory education in the classic tradition that Latin offered. Gradually, Latin grew in size and stature. But most changes did nothing to alter the fundamental character of the school – a mostly homogenous community of students, many of whose families had known each other for generations. While as early as 1926, a few scholarships were awarded each year to students from other parts of the city, according to Latin historians, it was not until the '50s and '60s when there were any significant challenges to the idea that Latin should remain a neighborhood school. During this time, several voices argued that the school would benefit from being a more inclusive community. Although Headmaster John MacDougall Graham did not take an official stand on integration until 1965, Raymond Cyrus moved from Jamaica to Chicago in 1964 and attended the school until eighth grade in 1970. Cyrus was the first black student to attend Latin. Furthermore, a handful of non-Caucasian students had been attending Latin since the late 1950s. Chinese-Americans Carole Towne and her cousin Eric Louie started in the lower school in 1957. In 1965, two African-Americans joined the academic community at Latin. Charles Ray, who had served the school as a custodian since 1926, was invited to join the faculty as a shop teacher, and Etta Susan Ish was admitted to the freshman class. Ray would teach for nine more years, retiring after nearly 50 years of service to the school. Ish became fully involved with the school. She was immediately elected class secretary of the freshman class and served as class vice president her junior year and as captain of Today, Latin students hail from about 66 neighborhoods throughout the city of Chicago Charles Ray served the school from 1926-1974, first as a custodian and later as the shop teacher. Background: Glee Club. LATI N SCHOOL OF CHI CA GO 101

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