We are thrilled to officially open the Fred and Michele Montgomery Academic Resource Center, a new program and dedicated space designed to empower, promote, and maximize the potential of each student from PreK to grade 12.
Settling into a freshly renovated home (2117 W. 111th St.) in a corner of Morgan Park Academy’s historic, 20-acre campus, the center is an initiative spearheaded by new Head of School Phyllis Cavallone-Jurek, Ed.D.
It opened for teaching and learning on the first day of the 2025-26 school year, followed by a Grand Opening celebration on Sept. 12 that featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by principal donors Fred Montgomery ’64 and Michele Bitta Montgomery.
“We’re thrilled to offer MPA students and families what I believe will be a transformative level of support for many of them,” Dr. Cavallone said.
“This will be aligned with our learners’ needs and goals, both for students who need help building foundational skills and those who are ready to be challenged beyond the classroom curriculum.”
Programs at the Academic Resource Center (ARC) are staffed by experienced teachers and intervention specialists and developed in close partnership with the school’s award-winning faculty, under the direction of Jennifer Schmidt, whose three decades of teaching and leadership excellence include 25 years at the Academy.
They will support students at every stage of their academic journey by providing a challenging environment that nurtures their unique needs, strengths, and learning styles.
Academic support services will be offered for MPA students during the school day, designed to help them strengthen foundational skills in subjects such as math, English, and reading, as well as to provide enrichment opportunities for students who have demonstrated that they are ready for increased complexity beyond their grade-level curriculum. After-school tutoring is available as well.
“This new initiative will offer instruction and resources to help students maximize their potential and make sure that each child at MPA has the opportunity to thrive,” said Associate Head of School Laura Ferrell, Ed.D.
This remarkable facility and program is made possible by a lead gift from Fred and Michele Montgomery, whose generosity reflects their deep love for Morgan Park Academy and their belief in the lasting power and impact of the school’s educational mission.
“The celebration of the Academy’s 150th Anniversary a few years ago planted a seed that something special should be done to continue the excellence of the school,” said Fred Montgomery. “Since Michele was an early childhood teacher, and I knew firsthand the kind of opportunities MPA has to offer, the idea of an Academic Resource Center made perfect sense.”
To support the Academic Resource Center through a monetary or in-kind donation, or to explore partnership opportunities, please email Kristy Kotek, our Vice President of Advancement and Community Relations.
TOP PHOTO: BAPA Executive Director Mary Jo Viero (from left), principal donors Fred Montgomery and Michele Bitta Montgomery, Alderman Matt O’Shea, Head of School Phyllis Cavallone-Jurek, Ed.D., and Morgan Park Academy Board of Trustees Chair Kishore Paluri at the Grand Opening
EVENT PHOTOS: ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER GRAND OPENING
Director of the Academic Resource Center Jennifer Schmidt (from left), Head of School Phyllis Cavallone-Jurek, Ed.D., and Alderman Matt O’Shea at the Grand Opening
Principal donors Fred Montgomery and Michele Bitta Montgomery (from left) with Director of Community Relations Tina Isom at the Grand Opening
Morgan Park Academy will host admission events this fall including an All-School Open House (PreK-12) on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 10:00 a.m. and High School Open Houses on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 6:00 p.m.
The school’s High School Entrance Exam and Scholarship Testing will be on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 9:00 a.m., where top scorers can earn two full-tuition scholarships, two 75% scholarships, and two 50% scholarships.
