Today, Mayor Rahm Emanuel visited with students from Lindblom Math and Science Academy to celebrate their recent participation in the Qatar Debate World Championship, an all Arabic language debate competition, and their involvement with the new Center for Arabic Language and Culture at Lindblom. Lindblom was the only school representing the United States at the debate competition – a competition comprised of almost entirely native Arabic speakers.

“I congratulate and applaud the students at Lindblom Academy for their incredible accomplishments in learning Arabic and representing the City of Chicago and the United States in Doha,” said Mayor Emanuel. “The Center for Arabic Language and Culture at Lindblom is an excellent example of the innovative educational opportunities provided to Chicago’s students, efforts that are preparing students to extend their education beyond the classroom and across the world to build global connections and skillsets.”

Through a partnership with Chicago Public Schools and the Qatar Foundation International, the Center for Arabic Language and Culture at Lindblom Academy has become a premier resource for K-12 Arabic language and culture programs in Chicago. Lindblom Academy was the first high school in the city to offer a for-credit Arabic program and has grown to be the largest non-heritage for-credit programs in the U.S.

In addition to improving their Arabic language skills, the Qatar Debate World Championship allowed students to develop meaningful connections with students from Tunisia, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and other countries.
The Center for Arabic Language and Culture has facilitated numerous opportunities for connecting Chicago students to Arabic speaking students around the globe. These projects include an annual online education chemistry project between CPS students and students in Qatar and a 12-week theater project between CPS students and students in Egypt.

Robert Lindblom Math and Science Academy is located in West Englewood on Chicago’s South Side and draws students from all areas of Chicago, with a student body that is approximately 97% minority and approximately 80% low-income. Lindblom offers a demanding college preparatory curriculum where all core courses are honors and Advanced Placement.

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Photo Credit: Patrick Pyszka // City of Chicago

Photo Caption 1 - 2: Mayor Emanuel meets and congratulates students from Lindblom Math and Science Academy on their recent participation in the Qatar Debate