LaTonya Austin is the new principal of Austin Polytechnical Academy.
Of the eight candidates interviewed, Austin was the clear favorite among the selection committee.
The CPS Chief Area Officer; an APA teacher, student, parent; community and industry partner stakeholders along with Local School Council members served on the selection committee.
In her former position as principal of the Global Visions Academy, Austin increased the number of students with access to and taking AP courses and expanded learning opportunities for the high school students despite budget constraints.
Before becoming a principal, Austin served as assistant principal at Fenger Achievement Academy and has been employed with Chicago Public Schools since 1997.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and secondary education from Chicago State University, a master’s in educational administration and supervision from Northern Illinois University, and a master’s of science in mathematics from Chicago State University. Austin is currently working on her Ed.D from the University of Illinois at Chicago in the Urban Educational Leadership program.
“APA will provide students with a well-rounded education that includes a foundation in advanced academics, technical skills and social mores,” she said. “At Austin Polytechnical, we believe in teaching the whole child and the empowerment of educators.”
Austin Polytechnical Academy is an engineering- and manufacturing-focused and college prep public high school on Chicago’s West Side. Thanks to over 60 partner companies, our students learn about the many different career opportunities in manufacturing through field trips, guest speaker visits, job shadowing opportunities, internships and more.
Austin Polytech is a project of the Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council. The career program is operated by the Center for Labor and Community Research.