Crane Medical Preparatory High School

🎉Congratulations to Principal Benson-CPS Game-Changer for SY 26!🎉🔴🔵🔴🔵

Crane Medical Prep is proud to celebrate Principal Benson for being named one of the CPS Game-Changers for SY 26. This recognition reflects her unwavering dedication, tireless work, and steadfast commitment to elevating Crane Medical to new heights.

Under her leadership, Crane continues to grow, innovate, and thrive. Principal Benson’s vision and determination have made a lasting impact on our students, staff, and community, and we are excited to see the continued progress ahead.

Please join us in congratulating Principal Benson on this well-deserved honor. Her hard work truly makes a difference every day.

🌟 The Power of the Crane Medical Prep Village 🌟

At Crane Medical Prep, we believe that leadership is not only about developing students, it is also about developing educators who will continue to impact the lives of countless young people.

We are incredibly proud of Ms. Sierra Clark, who recently served as the Keynote Speaker at the Wentcher Foundation Scholarship Celebration at the University Club of Chicago.

During her keynote, Sierra shared a powerful message with scholars:

"Claim your seat, embrace the pivots, and build your village."

She also took time to recognize the educators who have supported her journey as a Special Education teacher and teacher leader. We are honored that Crane Medical Prep's own Principal Toya Benson and Instructional Coach Damaris Maxwell were acknowledged as members of her village.

This moment is a reminder of what makes Crane Medical Prep special. We don't simply prepare students for success—we cultivate leaders. We invest in one another, celebrate each other's growth, and work together to create opportunities that extend far beyond our classrooms.

Congratulations, Sierra! Your leadership, authenticity, and commitment to students continue to make the Crane family proud. We can't wait to see where your journey leads next.

Elevating Cougar Excellence! Together, we grow leaders who change lives.

❤️💙 CRANE MED PREP ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT ❤️💙

Elevating Cougar Excellence

Today we proudly celebrate Denesha Williams, Class of 2017, for reaching an incredible professional milestone and continuing to demonstrate what it means to lead with excellence.

As the OR Nurse Robotics Team Lead, Denesha played a key leadership role in the successful launch of the Da Vinci 5 Surgical System, helping Rush University System for Health become the first health system in the Midwest to fully upgrade its fleet of surgical robots. Her dedication, preparation, and leadership contributed to the successful completion of the first robotic gynecological case using this groundbreaking technology.

Denesha's journey is a powerful reminder that the dreams cultivated at Crane Med Prep can become reality through hard work, perseverance, and purpose.

Your Crane Med Prep family is incredibly proud of you. Thank you for inspiring our current and future students to dream boldly, pursue excellence, and make a difference in the lives of others.
Congratulations, Denesha!

Once a Cougar, Always a Cougar! 🐾❤️💙

💙 Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Sharon Gates 💙

It is with deep gratitude and admiration that we recognize the transition of Dr. Sharon Gates, a true champion for the students of Crane Medical Preparatory High School.

Dr. Gates believed wholeheartedly in the potential of our students and was unwavering in her commitment to ensuring they had access to opportunities that would expand their horizons and inspire them to dream beyond what they thought was possible. Through her advocacy and partnership, our students gained invaluable exposure to the many facets of the healthcare industry—from direct patient care to the business, administrative, and leadership sides of healthcare.

Because of Dr. Gates' vision, countless Crane students and alumni have been able to see themselves in careers they may have never imagined. Her work helped cultivate not only future healthcare professionals but also future leaders, innovators, and change-makers.

While her contributions are immeasurable, those who had the privilege of knowing her will remember more than her professional impact. We will remember her warm smile, her gentle spirit, her thoughtful presence, and the way she could brighten any room she entered. She led with grace, humility, and purpose, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she encountered.

Dr. Gates, thank you for believing in our students, investing in their futures, and helping create pathways that will continue to change lives for generations to come.

Your legacy lives on in every student whose dream was expanded because of your influence, every alum who found their path because of your guidance, and every opportunity that exists today because of your advocacy.

You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

❤️💙

🌟 Crane Med Prep Alumni Spotlight 🌟

Today we proudly celebrate Crane Medical Preparatory High School alumnus Ernest Williams on an incredible professional milestone.

Ernest recently assisted with his first lung and liver transplant organ procurement, traveling with a transplant team to help recover life-saving organs for patients in need. This remarkable opportunity reflects not only his hard work and dedication to the healthcare field, but also his commitment to serving others through medicine.

As a school dedicated to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing our alumni turn their dreams into reality and make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. Ernest's journey is a testament to what can happen when talent, perseverance, and purpose come together.

We are especially proud to see him earning the respect of experienced medical professionals and receiving invitations to continue participating in this highly specialized and important work.

Ernest, thank you for representing Crane Medical Prep with excellence. Your accomplishments inspire our current students and remind us why we do this work. We cannot wait to see what you accomplish next.

🐾❤️💙

Crane Medical Prep is inviting all interested 7th and 8th grade students to come out and join our Cougar Football Camp this summer!
Whether you are experienced, new to the game, or just curious about football, all skill levels are welcome. This is a great opportunity to stay active, learn the game, build confidence, and be part of the Cougar Pride!

📍 Crane Medical Prep High School
2245 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60612

For more information, contact Coach D at 312-834-1804 or simply show up to the field.

Come ready to work, learn, and have fun!
Go Cougars! 🏈🐾

🔥 A Phenomenal Season for Crane Track & Field! 🔥

Crane Medical Prep Track & Field had an outstanding year, and we are incredibly proud of our student-athletes for their hard work, determination, and history-making accomplishments. You represented Crane with excellence, discipline, and true Cougar Pride!

A special thank-you to Coach Sam and Coach Russ for your dedication, leadership, and commitment to developing our student-athletes both on and off the track.

Congratulations to the entire team on an amazing season. We are already looking forward to another great year of breaking records, reaching new goals, and making Crane history!

❤️💙 Built Different. Built Crane.

Crane Medical Preparatory High School is proud to announce that the Local School Council has voted to renew Principal Benson’s contract.

This decision reflects the LSC’s continued belief in Principal Benson’s leadership, vision, and commitment to moving Crane Medical Prep forward. Under her leadership, students have experienced measurable gains and set school records in Early College, health science certifications, and work-based learning exposure.

Crane students have continued to expand their opportunities beyond the classroom, including increased access to career-connected learning, health science pathways, and STEM experiences. Our STEM department has created opportunities for students to engage in team-based challenges that build collaboration, problem-solving, innovation, and critical thinking.

Our Athletics Department has also continued to grow, with an increase in winning seasons and a historic number of student-athletes continuing their postsecondary education with athletic scholarships to help fund their future.

While we celebrate this progress, we also recognize that there is still important work ahead. The LSC is confident that Principal Benson will continue to lead Crane Medical Prep in the right direction with purpose, accountability, and a clear vision for student success.

Congratulations, Principal Benson, and thank you to the Local School Council for believing in the continued growth and future of Crane Medical Prep.