Andrew Jackson Language Academy

Andrew Jackson School was opened in 1894 to serve children from the crowded tenement community surrounding the Polk Street Station port of entry for immigrants. That year was started one of the first public school kindergartens in Chicago, Illinois. Since 1981 this school has offered foreign language instruction to Chicago's students. In 1988, the Andrew Jackson Language Academy moved into a new and up-to-date facility.

Languages

Andrew Jackson has six different languages to offer. They are Japanese, French, Italian, Spanish, ESL (English as a Second Language), and Chinese.

Grades

AJLA offers kindergarten through eighth grade. Each grade has two classes and two teachers. Classes normally have around 32 children each.

Events

There are many events at AJLA. One of those events is the High School Fair, which is organized to help students in grades six, seven, and eight prepare to go to high school. Another of the events is The Science Fair. The Science Fair is for students in grades six, seven, and eight. Every year selected students participate in The Science Fair. Winners at The Science Fair go to the area nine science fair.

After-School Activities

Many activities are offered at AJLA as a part of an after-school program. A major part of the after-school program is Battle of the Books. Many Chicago Public Schools participate in this as well. Battle of the Books is a reading incentive program for students in 5th thru 8th grades. Students read books and come together usually in groups to demonstrate their abilities and to test their knowledge of the books they have read. Other activities in the after-school program includes studies in science, music, technology, board games, and art.

Sports Teams

As of 2014, there are only 2 sports available in AJLA, volleyball and basketball. In order for students to participate in these sports teams, they must sign up and tryout they also should have good grades in order to try out.