Ike Muzikowski, principal of Chicago Hope Academy, joined Chicago’s Morning Answer to discuss how the faith-based school is transforming lives in one of Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods. Founded in 2005 by Muzikowski’s parents, the academy serves students primarily from the city’s West and South Sides—communities long plagued by underperforming schools and limited opportunities.
Muzikowski explained that the school’s mission is rooted in providing a high-quality education to families who otherwise could not afford private schooling. “Education in tough neighborhoods has become the great solidifier instead of the great equalizer,” he said. “If you’re in a failing district, you’re bound to be a product of your environment. We wanted to change that.”
The school enrolls about 300 students and maintains small class sizes of around 17. Ninety percent of students come from Chicago Public Schools, and nearly all qualify for financial aid. While it costs about $20,000 annually to educate each student, families contribute what they can—usually around $3,000—and the remainder is raised through donations. “Every student pays something,” Muzikowski said. “It builds dignity and motivation. When families invest in their own education, it changes their outlook.”
Chicago Hope graduates consistently outperform peers from comparable public schools. In the most recent senior class, all but a handful of students went on to college, trade school, or the military. The school has forged partnerships with local unions to provide pre-apprenticeship training in electrical, engineering, and labor trades. “We celebrate college and trades equally,” Mazikowski said. “Every kid deserves a path to success.”
Muzikowski also emphasized accountability and rigor, rejecting the lowered expectations common in public education. “We’ve had students come in who’ve never done homework before,” he said. “That’s not empathy—that’s the soft bigotry of low expectations. You can’t just be a good kid; you have to be good for something.”
He lamented the state’s decision to eliminate Illinois’ tax credit scholarship program, which provided tuition assistance for low-income families. The program’s end stripped scholarships from 130 Chicago Hope students—nearly half the school. “We kept every kid,” he said. “But affordable private schools are closing all over the city because the teachers unions put ideology before opportunity.”
Muzikowski called on lawmakers to revive similar programs like the proposed ECCA bill, which would allow donors nationwide to receive federal tax credits for supporting low-income students. “The death of the affordable private school is upon us,” he said. “But we’re not giving up. Hope is alive on the West Side, and we’re going to keep fighting for kids who deserve a chance.”
Known affectionately to students as “Principal Ike,” Muzikowski has also gained attention for his upbeat social media presence, where he posts dance videos with students to build connection and community. “We didn’t become educators to be miserable,” he said. “If kids see that I love what they love, they’ll listen when I challenge them to take their education seriously.”
To learn more or support the school, visit ChicagoHopeAcademy.org.