Opened in 1971, Hope was operated and owned by the Chicago Public Schools district.

The school was named for African-American educator and religious leader John Hope.

Fewer parents opted to send their children to Hope, while the population of Englewood was declining.

[5] In November 2019, the Chicago Public Schools decided to expedite the closing of Hope due to no student enrollment at the time.

Dr. Mahalia Ann Hines,[7] the mother of Chicago-based rapper Common, was principal of the school from 1996 until her retirement in June 2005.