Summer Programs

Mandatory for students in 2nd, 5th, and 8th grades who do not meet the minimum promotion criteria are required to attend Summer Bridge. This program, located at select sites, offers tailored and intensive instruction to address individual needs in reading, mathematics, social science, and science through an online curriculum. Upon completion of the program, mandatory students who successfully meet promotion criteria will advance to the next grade. For additional information, please contact your student's current enrolled school to inquire about their summer programming opportunities at their school or summerbridge@cps.edu for general information.

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Summer Credit Recovery allows high school students to retake courses they previously failed. Current Seniors are able to take courses they need to graduate over the summer. School counselors will reach out to eligible students for registration at an available site.

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Extended School Year (ESY) programming provides additional academic support to PreK – 12 students as indicated in their Individualized Education Program (IEP) for four weeks during the summer. Families of students that are eligible for ESY will receive a letter from their school in May.

English Learner Summer Support provides English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction with the goals of improving academic outcomes and increasing student's English language development at specific schools. Only English learners from the host schools are eligible to attend if they meet the following criteria: Currently in grades 1-7 in Program Year (PY) 0-2 with a literacy proficiency level of 1.0-1.9. Families of students who are eligible to attend should have received an invitation from their school.

The city-wide English Learner (EL) Credit Attainment program targets late arrival ELs in grades 9-12 needing to attain credit to graduate in the following courses: ESL I-III, English I (with an ESL endorsed teacher), or Algebra I (with an ESL endorsed teacher). Please note: Students who have failing grades in ESL or Algebra courses do not qualify for EL Credit Attainment. Families of students who are eligible for HS EL Credit Attainment will receive notification from their school.

The Tassel Truancy Intervention Program is an online program for rising fifth-year seniors who are 0.5 to 1.5 credits away from graduating high school and have barriers that prevent them from attending in-person credit recovery/obtainment. Students that are eligible for Summer Tassel Truancy Intervention will receive notification from their school.

Summer of Algebra offers rising high school freshmen the opportunity to engage in a rigorous, inquiry-based algebra program and prepare them for advanced math pathways. Students are eligible if they have taken the Algebra for Middle Grades, or equivalent course in 8th grade. Ideal candidates have shown some mastery of Algebra but have not passed the Algebra Exit Exam. Participating students are eligible to earn the algebra competency and enter into geometry directly. This program is offered at select High Schools based on an application process.

Competency-Based Education (CBE) Summer Acceleration is an opportunity to participate in credit-bearing courses prior to when they are traditionally offered. Students that demonstrate proficiency in summer acceleration courses then have greater access to early college & career courses later in their trajectory.

Sustainable Community Schools (SCS)/Community Schools Initiative (CSI) Summer of Learning offers students educational field trips and enrichment opportunities that are centered on science, technology, engineering, math, and the arts. SCS/CSI Summer of Learning also provides adult education workshops and community programming.

Out of School Time (OST) summer programs are designed by schools to provide academic support, enrichment activities, and mentorship. These programs aim to engage students, strengthen their connection to school, and expose them to new opportunities and learning that cater to their needs and interests.

The CPS Summer Internship Program is part of the CPS Work-Based Learning Program led by Early College and Career Education (ECCE). In this program, students have the opportunity to build essential employability skills by working in a real workplace setting and applying classroom knowledge to real-world tasks. Student Interns are assigned to a summer placement with an approved partner organization. The work-based learning experience may provide the opportunity to work in teams, work on a project, and/or rotate through a number of departments and job functions.

This position will receive pay for time worked in an internship placement not to exceed 60 hours or 120 hours. The work schedule for this role will consist of an estimated 20-25 hours per week (4-5 hrs/day for up to 5 days per week). Scheduled work will be completed at a partner organization’s workplace.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Camps provide an opportunity for 6-9th grade students to explore career-oriented fields, from engineering to aviation to culinary arts and more. Students will be trained by industry professionals, work on interactive projects, hear from industry partners, and take career-related field trips. Camps are held in state-of-the-art labs housed within local high schools.

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Preview to Pre-K is for students who will be in Pre-K in the upcoming school year. To support Pre-K learning and growth, students will participate in social-emotional learning, community building, early literacy, and early math activities. Preview to Pre-K is only offered at select schools. Students are only eligible to participate in Preview to Pre-K at the CPS school in which they are enrolled in for Pre-K for the upcoming year.

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Kick Off to Kindergarten is for students who will be in kindergarten in the upcoming school year. To support kindergarten readiness, students will develop foundational skills in early literacy, early math, and social-emotional learning. Kick Off to Kindergarten is only offered at select schools. Students are only eligible to participate in Kick Off to Kindergarten at the CPS school in which they are enrolled in for kindergarten for the upcoming year.

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High School Connection supports students in their transition to high school by introducing them to staff and classmates, familiarizing them with graduation requirements and academic expectations, and equipping them with study strategies and stress management techniques.

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The Alumni Support Initiative focuses on providing postsecondary pathway information, resources, connections and support to reduce the roadblocks students face throughout the summer to successfully enroll in college or access their postsecondary path. Questions about this program can be directed to aftergraduationhelp@cps.edu.

JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) develops and prepares cadets to assume leadership roles within their school’s JROTC program while developing their self-discipline, confidence, communication skills, leadership skills, and self-esteem. JCLC is mentally and physically demanding starting with a 5 a.m. wake-up, followed by physical fitness training at 5:50 a.m. Cadets are assigned leadership roles for the daytime training, which focuses on team building, strategy, and adventure training (rappelling, archery, obstacle course, leader reaction course, water confidence, archery, drones, and robotics) After dinner, the cadets participate in cadet led sports, relay race, water polo, kickball, volleyball, soccer, and basketball. The day ends at 10 p.m. with lights out.

JROTC Command and Staff leadership School is designed to allow the new JROTC chain of command to formulate their new vision and goals for the upcoming school year. The staff will develop products such as the vision, mission, and goals for the year. In addition, they will develop their training calendar and start the service learning project brainstorming of ideas for their yearly project(s).

From June 3 through July 25, new City Colleges students across the city will prepare for a successful college experience by taking a FREE class and participating in college success activities – ensuring momentum into and through college early in their first year. You can join them! With additional advising, options for reading, writing, and math support, and the opportunity to receive an Earn & Learn stipend – this is your first step to college success.

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All CPS sports programming this summer will be administered at the school level. Reach out to your CPS school directly for details.

Charter and Contract schools are responsible for operating their own summer programming and credit recovery. Students enrolled in these schools are unable to attend summer programming at district-managed schools. For information about summer programming at charter and contract schools, contact your school directly. For additional questions, contact the Office of Innovation and Incubation at contactiandi@cps.edu.

Options schools are responsible for operating their own summer programming and credit recovery. Summer program hours and term length vary by operator. For more information about summer programming at options schools, contact your school directly. For additional questions, contact the Options Network at optionsnetwork@cps.edu.