Back of the Yards College Preparatory High School Home

Be bold. Be brave. Be a Bobcat.

Upcoming Events

Feb 19

Japan/South Korea Trip Parent Meeting in the Cafeteria

Time: 5 PM – 6 PM

Feb 21

Math Circles of Chicago - Delia

Time: 8 AM – 12 PM

Feb 24

Meet our principal! Mrs. Manjarrez!

For the past twelve years, Back of the Yards College Prep has been both my professional and personal home. I have had the privilege of serving in many roles—founding Mathematics teacher, Department Chair, ILT Lead, IB MYP Coordinator, and Assistant Principal—working alongside dedicated students, staff, families, alumni, and community partners to build a school that is a true neighborhood school of choice on Chicago’s southwest side. My 20 years in education, including 15 in leadership, have been shaped by a deep commitment to equity, high expectations, and collaborative growth. The accomplishments we have achieved together—record-setting graduation rates, strong college enrollment and persistence, and consistently high freshman-on-track rates—are a testament to the extraordinary dedication of our faculty, staff, and partners. As principal, I am committed to building on this strong foundation, fostering innovation, and continuing to strengthen the relationships that make our school thrive. This work is personal to me—not only as an educator but as a mother of two Latino children—and I am honored to serve a community that has become a part of my identity.

BOBCAT STAFF MEMBER OF THE MONTH- MR. ZATOR

Congratulations to Mr. Zator (Science Teacher) for being recognized as our Bobcat Staff Member of the Month for January! His colleagues shared the following praise:

Mr. Zator is great with supporting his students, has been doing great work in CP engineering, and is always eager to try new things in his classes. He prioritizes a student centered classroom where students can learn by doing with real world applications. He is always willing to put in extra work as a course team member, science department member, and CP teacher. He is invested in the culture of the school with his involvement as softball coach and gaming club sponsor.

As Mr. Zator's advisory partner I have been hearing him talk a lot about all of the amazing things that have been happening in the engineering classroom. What I love most when talking about what is going on in class is not just that the projects sound legitimately cool, but the passion in which Zator talks about his classes and his students.

Once again, Congratulations Mr. Zator!