Fanning Trade High School

Fanning Trade High School. Founded in 1912 during the Progressive Era, it was established to meet the growing industrial demands of Chicago and the Midwestern United States. The school has evolved from a traditional trade school into a comprehensive career academy, maintaining its historic focus on skilled trades while integrating modern STEM and digital media curricula. It operates as a selective enrollment institution within the Chicago Public Schools system, drawing students from across the city.

History

The school's creation was championed by the Chicago Board of Education and local industrialists, including figures from the Union Stock Yards and Illinois Central Railroad. Its original building, designed by architect Dwight H. Perkins, opened in the Bridgeport neighborhood. During World War II, the curriculum was adapted to support the war effort, training students for roles in defense plants and naval shipyards. The school was renamed in 1955 for Horace Fanning, a noted educator and advocate for vocational education who served as its principal from 1938 to 1952. A major renovation and expansion in 1998, funded by a bond from the City of Chicago, modernized its facilities following decades of serving the city's manufacturing sector.

Academics

Fanning operates on a career pathway model, with students selecting a major from several accredited programs. Core trade programs include electrical construction, HVAC technology, precision machining, and automotive technology, which maintain partnerships with organizations like Associated Builders and Contractors and SkillsUSA. The school also offers advanced programs in computer-aided design, cybersecurity, and digital cinematography. Academic coursework is aligned with Common Core standards and includes dual-credit opportunities with City Colleges of Chicago and Illinois Institute of Technology. Student proficiency is annually assessed through the SAT and state-mandated Illinois Assessment of Readiness.

Campus

The main campus occupies a full city block near the Chicago River and the Stevenson Expressway. The historic Perkins building, featuring Chicago School elements, houses administrative offices and traditional classrooms. Instructional facilities include the Applied Technology Center, a three-story structure with labs simulating commercial construction sites, and the Innovation Wing, which contains studios for the graphic design and broadcasting programs. Athletic facilities consist of the Falcons Gymnasium, an outdoor stadium used by the Chicago Public League, and a fitness center. The campus is served by the Chicago 'L' at the Ashland station.

Student Life

Extracurricular activities are heavily oriented toward technical fields, with competitive teams in the VEX Robotics Competition, Technology Student Association, and National Technical Honor Society. The school fields teams in basketball, baseball, and cross country running within the Illinois High School Association. Traditional events include the annual Industry Night, which connects students with employers like ComEd and Boeing, and the Fanning Innovation Expo. Student media includes the newspaper *The Anvil* and FHS Falcons TV, a broadcast program. Many students participate in cooperative education placements with partners such as United Airlines and Loyola University Chicago.

Alumni

Notable graduates include Richard Novak, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for the *Chicago Tribune*; Maria Flores, a former state representative and advocate for labor unions; and James "Jimmy" O'Malley, a decorated Chicago Fire Department battalion chief. In the arts, alumnus Leo Carter is a renowned jazz trumpeter who performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Professional achievements are also found in industry, with graduates like Anita Sharma serving as a senior engineer at NASA and Tomás Rivera founding the construction firm Rivera Builders.

Category:High schools in Chicago Category:Vocational education in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1912