Hundreds of students, teachers and North Side residents gathered outside an alderman's home last night to protest plans to reorganize Senn High School.

The crowd was upset with Ald. Mary Ann Smith (D-48) for proposing to split Senn, 5900 N. Glenwood Ave., into four separate schools, one of which would select students based on test scores.

Those who attended the candlelight vigil say the plan would abandon all but an elite percentage of students.

"They say they want to make it better, but who are they going to make it better for," asked Senn science teacher Brian Roa.

With their songs, prayers and numbers they hoped to persuade Smith to accept their plan for Senn.

It calls for continued open enrollment at the high school, plus improved academics, expansion of the school's International Baccalaureate program, anti-violence programs and more partnerships with alumni, parents and local businesses.

Smith did not attend the March forum where the Senn Strategic Planning Committee unveiled its plan, and speakers at a rally preceding the vigil criticized her for ignoring the community's input. At times, the crowd started chanting, "Where's Alderman Smith?"

"Ald. Smith, you were elected to represent us," said Father Dominic Grassi of St. Gertrude Catholic Parish. "You have not come to the table, so we're going to bring the table to you."

Father Paul Koch of Ebenezer Lutheran Church rang the bell at Smith's home as the crowd sang, "This Little Light of Mine," but no one answered. He taped a letter to her door invoking Jesus' instruction to "let the little children come to me."

"We pray that you have a change of heart and recognize the value of diversity and the potential of all youth in our community," it said.

Smith could not be reached for comment last night.

Supporters of the committee's plan for Senn are worried Chicago Public Schools will bow to aldermanic prerogative, as they have done elsewhere in the city, said Sandi Gutstein, an organizer with Organization of the Northeast, which set up the vigil.

"CPS goes along with what the alderman has planned, and that's what we're worried about," she said.

But so far Smith has not been successful in persuading the Board of Education to adopt her plan. Senn law and social studies teacher David Gregg credits that to "the great spirit of activism in the community."