Rounding a quarter century this June, Northside is celebrating 25 years of unique community and school spirit. With numerous school traditions, events, and academic excellence carried on throughout the years, this article is a reflection of what makes the school truly special. 

Northside Traditions: A Celebration of Spirit and Student Voices

At Northside, some of our biggest traditions form the center of our diverse and passionate community. Events like I-Night, Musical, and Cubby Walk bring together students from all backgrounds and interests in celebration of culture, arts, and school spirit.

I-Night: A Stage for Culture and Connection

What began as Celebrasia, an artistic celebration of Asian culture, has since evolved into one of Northside’s most iconic and anticipated events: International Night or I-Night. This annual celebration of global cultures has expanded far beyond its origins, now involving 40% of the student body. Dancers spend months preparing for this showcase, developing new friendships and connections as they dedicate time weekly to practice together. It has become a true showcase of Northside’s diversity, bringing together students of all backgrounds through music, dance, and storytelling. 

I-Night has come to be an integral part of Northside’s community. Highlighted every year at Freshman orientations, I-Night stands out as a creative platform for students to share their cultures and passions. Being primarily student run and led by Northside’s Asian American Student Association, it is truly a culmination of the school’s hard work and identity. Many students consider I-Night to be one of the most significant events of their high school years, a time to connect with cultures and develop life-long relationships.  

Cubby Walk: Annual Celebration of School Spirit

Serving as the biggest school spirit event of the year, Cubby Walk is more than just an annual fundraiser. It is a celebration of Northside spirit and a break from everyday routine, allowing students to enjoy the outdoors and explore the city. Prior to the walk, students and staff alike gather for a school-wide pep rally, participating in an array of games and activities to boost school spirit. 

Long, but exciting, the walk from Northside to Wrigley Field is an opportunity for students to see new parts of the city and grab food with friends. Cubby Walk has historically been a student-favorite event, a time to make great memories with friends and support the Chicago Cubs. It continues to be a essential event for Northside’s school spirit, providing funding and fun! 

Student Perspective: What Makes Northside, Northside

While school events are a big part of school identity, what truly makes Northside unique is the everyday culture students experience. Through interviews with students, these are the aspects of our community identified as the central parts of the student experience. 

Student Passions:

Northside is a very unique environment in the sense that everyone has something they are passionate about. Whether it be something academic, athletic, or artistic, each student brings their own special interest to the table. Students are able to easily connect with one another about any variety of interests from music taste to social activism. 

The opportunity for students to connect is highly boosted by the number of clubs and opportunities available to students. With the freedom to join or create a club of interest, students are able to spend time with Slime Club, creating with friends, or in Neuroscience & Psychology Club, preparing for the International Brain Bee. No matter which direction you turn, there is always something new to explore and someone to engage with about topics you may be passionate about.

Block Schedule: 

Northside’s highly unusual but special block schedule truly helps to set it apart from other schools. While initially daunting, the blocks quickly become routine as students adapt to having 4-5 classes per day. The longer class times may be overwhelming at times but often allow for more in-depth learning as teachers are able to dive deeper into curriculums without being cut off. The limited number of classes per day alos helps to manage student homework loads. Since most classes meet only twice a week, students have more time between assignments and homework. 

In addition to fewer classes per day, the true advantage of a block schedule for students is the flexible Wednesday schedule available to choose. From choosing weekly flex blocks to semesterly Colloquiums, students have the freedom to choose how they would like to spend their time. With a wide variety of flex block options, students can take advantage of many academic, athletic, and social opportunities they may be interested in without having to stay after school. Colloquiums often present students with non-academic forms of learning, allowing them to socialize and participate in a range of activities like baking, exploring the city, or life guarding. 

Flex blocks and the block schedule have been essential part of the Northside culture and will continue to play an important role in future student successes.