Southside Occupational Acad HS: Top School in Chicago, IL (2026 List)

About Southside Occupational Acad HS

Southside Occupational Acad HS is a public alternative high school located in Chicago, IL, serving students in the 16-22 age range. As a premier school for transition-age learners, it serves approximately 280 students with a highly supportive student-teacher ratio of approximately 8:1. The school is noted as one of the top schools for its strong focus on vocational training, independent living skills and community based instruction, preparing students for life and work beyond the classroom. The student body is diverse in terms of culture and has a total minority enrollment of approximately 98%. Southside Occupational Acad HS individualizes traditional Mathematics and Reading proficiency data to specific developmental goals. The school provides vital access to career-readiness assessments and transition planning. The school has considerable resources for its economically disadvantaged students, with funding of over $50,000 per pupil. Ultimately, the school has a reputation for being one of the best at nurturing self-sufficiency, professional trade skills and academic resilience within a supportive, inclusive environment, and it is one of the best high schools in Illinois.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 0%

Reading 0%

State average proficiency is 0% in Math and 0% in Reading.

48

Full-time Teachers

1

Teachers In First Or Second Year (yrs)

0

Total Students

$66456

Avg. Teacher Salary

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

164 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Southside Occupational Acad HS Contact Information

Address

7342 S Hoyne Ave, Chicago, IL, 60636

View on Map

Phone

(773) 535-9100

Call Now

Website

http://www.cps.edu

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 8:00 AM to 3:18 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 7:45 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

Southside Occupational Academy created a fully ADA-accessible garden that serves as an outdoor classroom for students ages 18 to 22 with disabilities with raised beds, ADA-compliant seating and learning stations for hands-on instruction. The Englewood transition center works with community organizations and CPS to translate classroom learning into horticulture, nutrition and vocational skills that foster independent living and employment. Students develop job readiness, teamwork and social engagement skills via the garden and engage local partners to provide mentorship and real-world experiences.

FAQ

Q1. Can students take AP classes at Southside Occupational Acad HS?

Ans. Yes, students can get ready for college-level work by taking Advanced Placement classes and tests.

Q2. How does Southside Occupational Acad HS help students get ready for their careers?

Ans. Southside Occupational Acad HS helps students explore and plan their careers by giving them advice, internships, and programs that connect them with career exploration and planning.

Q3. Are there any programs that are creative?

Ans. Yes, students can be creative through practical activities music, drama, and visual arts.

Q4. How does Southside Occupational Acad HS encourage a good environment?

Ans. To make the space safe, welcoming, and open to everyone, people are told to be respectful, work together, and be responsible.

Q5. Do students get help getting ready for college?

Ans. Students can take the SAT and ACT and get help planning for college.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

Local kids are transforming ideas into real-world.

See the projects happening right in your neighborhood

What Parents Say