At Sullivan High School in Rogers Park, sweeping change as a wave of Afghan teens arrive

Omar, who is one of a growing number of Afghan refugee students at Sullivan High School in Rogers Park. After spending much of his life in Afghanistan without easy access to school, he says getting an education has become a priority. (Taylor Glascock / WBEZ)

Josh Zepeda hopes he’ll get to eat his lunch. It’s just past noon, and he’s yet to have a moment alone.

As he walks to his desk in a back corner of the library at Sullivan High School in Rogers Park, Zepeda, who is in his fourth year as the school’s refugee and immigrant social worker, hears a student call his name.