08/12/2026
๐๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ค ๐๐ซ๐๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ข๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ ๐ฐ๐๐ฅ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ
Representing a $4.4 million investment, Hyde Park Precollegiate Middle School officially opened its doors to the Westside Wednesday, becoming the first precollegiate middle school in the district.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony welcomed community members to the newly renovated campus, which will welcome sixth graders August 18 before expanding to include seventh- and eighth-grade students.
Hyde Park Precollegiate Middle School, which will share the campus with D60 Online Middle School, grew from a community-driven Right-Serving Plan.
The existing campus underwent extensive renovations, including replacement of the entire electrical system; installation of a new roof and replacement of rooftop HVAC units; new interior and exterior paint; plumbing upgrades; refinishing of the gym floor; replacement of the technology infrastructure; and upgrades to the fire and security alarm systems.
Superintendent Dr. Barbara Kimzey, along with members of the Board of Education and district leaders, attended the ribbon cutting to mark the opening of the new school.
โI am so very honored to join with all of you in celebrating the official ribbon cutting for Hyde Park Precollegiate Middle School,โ Superintendent Kimzey said. โD60 has a bold vision for this school: a school thatโs an affirming place for our middle-level learners to explore their interests and passions in an academically rigorous learning community.โ
Superintendent Kimzey noted that students will have opportunities to earn high school credits as eighth graders. She also highlighted Hyde Parkโs use of the autonomous learning model, a framework designed to help students become independent problem solvers.
Stephanie Markert will serve as Hyde Parkโs inaugural principal while also overseeing D60 Online Middle School.
โWe have refreshed this building. We have created spaces for rigorous academics, exploration, collaboration, and discovery,โ Principal Markert said. โWe are building a precollegiate experience where students will develop strong academic foundations, learn how to manage themselves and their learning, explore careers and interests, access advanced coursework, and begin to see the connections between middle school, high school, college, and the world beyond.โ
But Principal Markert said the renovated building is only the beginning.
โWe have intentionally left room for the students to build the rest,โ she said. โWe have not tried to decide exactly what the spirit of Hyde Park should be. We want our students to help answer that question. They will shape the walls. They will shape the spaces. They will shape the traditions, the celebrations, the symbols, and the stories that will eventually make this school feel like their school.โ
One of the schoolโs defining features will be its Makerspace Classrooms โ dedicated, hands-on learning spaces where students can design, invent, build and explore.
โOur students won't simply use those spaces โ they will make things that become part of this school,โ Principal Markert said. โThey will create the materials, art, displays, and ideas that transform these walls from a building into a community.โ
The day included tours of the building and visits with staff and building leaders.
Hyde Park Precollegiate Middle School's enrollment remains open. Learn more here: https://hydepark.pueblod60.org/
