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Principal's Message

Dr. Ariel A. Correa
Dr. Ariel A. Correa, Marquez Principal
 
B.A. Spanish Language and Literature, Northern Illinois University
M.Ed. Leadership and Administration, University of Illinois - Chicago
Ed.D. Urban School Leadership, University of Illinois - Chicago

 

Prior to joining Acero Schools as the Principal of Officer Donald J. Marquez Elementary School, Dr. Correa was the Director of Education and Principal for Innovations Academy and Streamwood Behavioral Healthcare System (SBHS). While at SBHS, he focused on elevating teaching and learning via practices towards a trauma informed care model to help SBHS evolve as a premier provider of academic, mental, and behavioral health services through the development of structures, systems, and high performing teams. Before joining SBHS in 2017, Dr. Correa was employed by School District U-46. After joining School District U-46 in 2011, Dr. Correa served as the Principal of Hilltop Elementary School, as Principal of Streamwood High School, and as a High School Regional Office of Education APEX Teacher at DREAM Academy. Under his leadership, Hilltop was one of U-46 Two Way Dual Language program schools, and student achievement scores increased by 3.5% every year. 

Prior to joining School District U-46, Dr. Correa was employed by Chicago Public Schools. He served as Principal of Cesar E. Chavez Multicultural Academic Center (MAC) from 2006 to 2009 and as the Assistant Principal from 2004 to 2006. Under Dr. Correa’s leadership, Cesar E. Chavez MAC moved from a school of challenges to a school of merit; standardized achievement scores increased from 23% of students meeting or exceeding the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills in 2003 to 73% of students meeting or exceeding the Illinois Standardized Achievement Test in 2009.

Dr. Correa also served as a Spanish Teacher at both Lincoln Park High School in Chicago Public Schools and Prairie Ridge High School in Community District #155 in Crystal Lake. He also served as the head Men’s Track and Field/Cross-Country coach and a faculty advisor to Latino students/clubs while employed as a Spanish Teacher. Additionally, Dr. Correa has been an entrepreneur and CEO of a small business. Dr. Correa received his Doctorate in Education in Urban School Leadership from University of Illinois/Chicago in May of 2015. He holds a Master’s in Education from University of Illinois/Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts, Spanish Language and Literature, from Northern Illinois University.

As his education and broad experience base attest, Dr. Correa has the experience, skills, dedication, and boundless energy to successfully lead Marquez Elementary and contribute with the vision and mission of Acero Schools through academic empowerment, innovation, best practices, and success to launch extraordinary life-long learners in our Acero scholars.

 

Contact information: 773-321-2200, [email protected]
 
 
Principal's Message
The Officer Donald J. Marquez Charter School continues to be a beacon of excellence that meets its students where they are and lifts them toward their highest potential. Our passion for learning permeates each classroom, spilling into our hallways and enriching our community! Marquez combines a disciplined and structured learning environment with a social and emotional growth program to give scholars what they need to be successful. Our initiatives include:

  • Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) school that was recognized in June 2022 for PBIS schoolwide implementation by Midwest PBIS
  • Eureka math curriculum, including tutoring and homework support, parent resources, and small-group instruction
  • Curriculum focused on building students’ vocabulary, comprehension, and love of reading a variety of texts including but not limited to Wit and Wisdon, Heggerty, Estrellita, Books del Sur
  • Calm Classroom as a Social-Emotional Learning curriculum including anti-bullying resources, safety resources, and problem solving resources for all students K-8
  • Homework helpers and small groups to personalize instruction
  • Individualized support to empower our 8th graders to select a secondary school where they will continue to thrive
  • Regular celebrations of improvement, achievement, and citizenship
  • Music, Art, Physical Education, and Spanish classes for K-8
  • Field trips, which have included trips to Springfield, Washington, D.C., New York City, Atwood Center in Rockford, performances at the Palmer House, visits to see Broadway in Chicago shows, trips to Milennium Park, the Brookfield Zoo, and many many more!
  • Extracurricular sports, scouts, and monthly after-school celebrations for families
 
Students at Marquez feel safe, loved, and empowered. As VIP members of the Marquez family, they look forward to school every day. Students are curious and compassionate collaborators. They make connections, ask big questions, write novels, perform in musicals, cheer on their teammates, sing solos, create masterpieces, create online presentations, build, develop, nurture, play, create, and soar. Students at Marquez will change Chicago and change the world! Teachers at Marquez are empowered to be role models, professionals, fierce advocates, and lifelong learners. They create small groups, personalize instruction to meet students’ individual needs, and are skilled collaborators dedicated to bringing out the best in their students. Teachers are connected to their students’ families and recognize they are a team with the same goal of educating their students and preparing them for their life journeys.  Family members feel welcomed, safe, and empowered at Marquez. The line between home and school is blurred as families become critical partners in their students’ learning. Families feel at home at Marquez and share their unique traditions, cultures, and passions with the school community as engaged volunteers.  Marquez is a family that warmly welcomes and embraces each one of its members, as well as a laboratory for developing lives that will make the world a better place. Our students, parents, and teachers created and live by our guiding principles:
  • Work hard.
  • Be kind.
  • Be strong.
  • Be better.
 
Marquez students, teachers, and families strive each day to put the “ACE” in Acero! Please reach out if we can answer any questions or if you would like to schedule a tour of our school.  Dr. Ariel Correa PrincipalMarquez Elementary - Acero Charter School Network