Supporting Summer Success
Summer programs are designed to support students' continued learning, growth, and achievement over summer break.
Summer programs fall into four categories: academic, enrichment, transition, and athletics. Browse the summer program descriptions below, and contact your local school directly for more information on specific programs. You can also search for many programs on the summer program dashboard. Programs will be added to the dashboard as they are updated by schools.
Not all programs are open to all students. Some students will receive or may have already received a letter about mandatory summer program participation; please follow the directions in that letter to access the appropriate program.
All programs will be offered in-person and schools will be required to follow all established health protocols outlined in the District’s current COVID-19 mitigation strategies. To learn more, review our COVID-19 Safety Guidance.
For any additional questions about summer program offerings, please contact your local school.
Academic Programs
Designed to provide students with extra academic support in core subjects.
Bridge+ provides students with extra math and reading instruction, as well as enrichment activities and social and emotional supports. Bridge+ is mandatory for students in third, sixth, and eighth grades who received below a “C” on their final report card in reading and/or math and do not meet grade promotion criteria. Families of students that are required to attend BRIDGE+ will receive a letter from their school before the end of the school year. Families of students that are eligible, but not required, to attend BRIDGE+ will receive a registration invitation by June 1.
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Summer Credit Recovery allows high school students to retake courses they previously failed or take courses they need to graduate on time. 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 pre-k–12 students as indicated in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for four to six weeks during the summer. Families of students that are eligible for ESY will receive a letter from their school in June.
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EL SUMMER SUPPORT
EL Summer Support programming provides additional English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction to elementary school students who come from non-English speaking homes and who are learning English. Families of students that are eligible for English Learner Summer Support should have received an invitation from their school.
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KICK-OFF TO KINDERGARTEN
Kick-off to Kindergarten helps incoming kindergarten students who have not previously attended school prepare for kindergarten by building math and reading skills. Families of students that are eligible to attend Kick-Off to Kindergarten will receive an invitation from their school.
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HS ESL CREDIT ATTAINMENT
English as a Second Language (ESL) Credit Attainment allows English Learners (ELs) in grades 11 and 12 to earn the ESL credits they need to graduate. Please note: Students who have failing grades in ESL courses do not qualify for ESL Credit Attainment. Families of students that are eligible for HS ESL Credit Attainment will receive notification from their school.
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SUMMER TASSEL TRUANCY INTERVENTION PROGRAM
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. Students that are eligible for Summer Tassel Truancy Intervention will receive notification from their school.
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DIVERSE LEARNER POST-2° TRANSITION
Diverse Learner Post-2° Transition is a two-week program focused on postsecondary transition skills. This program is for recent CPS graduates and rising high school seniors with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) who are not eligible to participate in Extended School Year (ESY) programming.
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SUMMER OF ALGEBRA
Summer of Algebra offers rising high school freshmen the opportunity to engage in a rigorous, inquiry-based algebra program and prepare for their freshman year. Participating students are eligible to earn the algebra competency and enter into geometry directly.
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CBE SUMMER MASTERY
Competency-Based Education (CBE) Summer Mastery provides additional instruction at participating schools for students who did not meet proficiency by the end of the traditional school year.
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CBE SUMMER ACCELERATION
Competency-Based Education (CBE) Summer Acceleration is an opportunity for students across CBE schools to earn credits and develop academic and technical skills.
Enrichment Programs
Designed to challenge students to think critically and work collaboratively through project- and inquiry-based learning approaches, as well as nurture their creativity and curiosity through exposure to the arts, technology, world culture, and beyond.
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS INITIATIVE (CSI) SUMMER OF LEARNING
CSI Summer of Learning offers students educational field trips and enrichment opportunities that are centered on science, technology, engineering, math, and the arts. CSI Summer of Learning also provides adult education workshops and community programming.
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OUT OF SCHOOL TIME
OST summer programming offers academic support, enrichment activities, and mentorship designed to re-engage students, build community, and meet students’ needs and interests.
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SUMMER DESIGN PROGRAM
Summer Design Program (SDP) is an opportunity for each school to develop a plan for summer programming, focused on one of three tracks: early literacy, middle school math, or high school readiness and early college and career credentials.
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CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) SUMMER CAMPS
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. Register now
Transition Programs
Designed to support purposeful academic transitions for students and their families by equipping them with resources, guidance, and peer connections.
PREVIEW TO PREK
Preview to Pre-k is designed to support students entering pre-k through social-emotional learning, community building, and engaging enrichment activities. Families of students that are eligible to attend Preview to Pre-k will receive an invitation from their school.
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Freshman Connection offers incoming ninth graders the opportunity to get acquainted with their new school before they start their freshman year, learn about graduation requirements and expectations, and get to know their classmates and school staff.
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ACCELERATION AT FRESHMAN CONNECTION HOST SCHOOLS
The Acceleration version of Freshman Connection allows students who are aging out of elementary school without meeting eighth grade promotion criteria to attend their high school’s Freshman Connection program and receive supplemental supports before starting ninth grade. Families of students required to attend Acceleration will receive a letter from their school before the end of the school year.
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ALUMNI SUCCESS INITIATIVE
Alumni Success Initiative provides recent graduates with resources and support to help them enter and persist in their postsecondary pathway.
Athletic Programs
Provide students with the opportunity to engage in sports and physical activity in a safe, controlled, and positive environment that promotes teamwork, leadership, and self-confidence.
Summer Sports Skills Camps offer students in 5th through 12th grade the opportunity to develop their skills in their favorite sport, or learn a new one. Camps are free of charge. Register to reserve your child's spot in a skills camp.
Partner Programs
Browse more summer programs from our partner organizations.
Search Programs By School
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