Legal Prep Charter Academy

The mission of Legal Prep is to use its unique law themed curriculum and culture of high expectations to cultivate compassion, self-motivation, and reflection in young adults who will be prepared to succeed at outstanding four-year colleges and universities. Legal Prep strives to be the premier open-enrollment high school on the West Side of Chicago and an exemplar for the entire country. Our students will use their academic and civic education to grow in their professional careers, be advocates for disadvantaged communities, and positively impact our society.

Legal Prep is a charter school, which is a public school that has more autonomy over curriculum, instruction, and culture. Legal Prep is part of Chicago Public Schools, and we do follow a number of the guidelines, procedures, and policies set by CPS. Just like any public school, there are no enrollment tests or tuition; any student in the city of Chicago can attend Legal Prep Charter Academy.  

Legal Prep Charter Academy (“Legal Prep”) is Chicago’s first and only legal-themed high school, putting diverse, low-income students on the path for college success. Legal Prep opened its doors on August 20, 2012 in West Garfield Park and began offering free, college preparatory education to students in a community with primarily low performing schools. Legal Prep is consistently the highest rated high school in a two mile radius and has over 65% of its alumni in college. Legal Prep will be in its ninth year of operation during the 2020-2021 school year and enroll approximately 300 students. As the name indicates, Legal Prep has a legal-themed curriculum and uses this unique theme to engage its diverse population of students in their learning and teach skills that will make our students successful in college and life. Legal Prep also works closely with the Chicago legal community to provide additional resources, exposure, and skills that complement our curriculum and promote analytical reasoning and critical thinking.