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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Offers dynamic programmatic opportunities over the summer to students in grades 1 through 12 through the following programs: Summer Knights Chess (June 30 - July 18 & July 21 - August 1), Chicago Debates Summer Institutes (July 14 - August 1), Academic Decathlon Prep Camp (June 30 - July 18) and Bizee Bee Spelling and Literacy Summer Camp (July 7 - 18). Students who participate in Academic Competitions’ programs are invited to register through their team coaches.

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.

The Office of Multilingual-Multicultural Education (OMME) EL Summer Support provides ESL instruction with the goals of improving academic outcomes and increasing student's English language development at specific schools. Only ELs from the host schools are eligible to attend if they meet the following criteria: Currently in grades 1-7 in PY0-2 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 Office of Multilingual-Multicultural Education (OMME) offers a city-wide EL Credit Attainment program. The 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 Mastery provides additional instruction at participating CBE schools for students who did not meet proficiency by the end of the traditional school year.

Competency-Based Education (CBE) Summer Acceleration is an opportunity for students across CBE schools to earn credits and develop academic and technical skills.

SCS/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.

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.

There are two types of apprenticeships offered: A2L Advance Manufacturing/Auto Tech is a summer program that will serve as a preparation for a Youth Apprenticeship role in Advance Manufacturing and Auto Tech. During the program students will engage in a college credit course, certification opportunities (OSHA 10 & CPR/ First Aid), off-site visits, meet top industry experts, and receive employability skills training. A2L All-Sector is a summer program that will serve as preparation for a Youth Apprenticeship role in all other sectors. During the program students will engage in courses focused on Excel, Project Management, and Data Analytics, and receive employability skills training offered through the GPEAK Curriculum.

FLL Robotics Camp will increase access and rigor to school based programming that already exists. FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Robotics Camps engages students in STEM learning through hands-on robotics challenges. FLL is available to students from grades PK-8 in three different divisions. These programs emphasize the importance of teamwork, collaboration and sportsmanship and develop a wide range of student skills, including, engineering, problem solving, critical thinking, and at the intermediate and middle school levels, programming, research, and presentation. The hands-on nature of this program encourages creativity and innovation for all students at all levels.

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.

Preview to Pre-K is for students who will be in Pre-K in the 2025-2026 school year to build a strong foundation for 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 Fall 2025.

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Kick Off to Kindergarten is for students who will be in kindergarten in the 2025-2026 school year to build a strong foundation for 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 Fall 2025.

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As research strongly encourages Math, English, and team/SEL skill building to best support 9th graders passing more classes during high school. CPS 9th grade on Track Data has shown that students who participate in High School Connection pass more classes than non-participants. High School Connection takes place between June 25 - July 31, 2025 (dates vary by High School) students will: meet school staff, learn graduation requirements and expectations, brush up on their study skills, learn techniques for coping with stress, and get to know their new classmates through field trips and other activities.

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The Acceleration version of High School Connection offers students who are aging out of elementary school without meeting eighth-grade promotion criteria the opportunity to participate in their high school’s High School Connection program. This program provides additional support to prepare students for ninth grade. Families of students required to attend Acceleration will receive a letter from their school before the end of the school year. Please be aware that schools with ongoing capital improvement projects may be exempt from hosting this academic enrichment summer program. We advise you to confirm with your student's current enrolled school regarding their participation in the program. For additional questions, contact summerbridge@cps.edu.

Alumni Success Initiative provides graduates from the Classes of 2023 and 2024 and their families with resources and support to help them enter and persist in their postsecondary pathway. Support and advising will be provided by trusted Postsecondary Champions from their high school, Transitional Youth Leaders (near peer advisors on college campuses), and Family Transition Mentors. Questions about this program can be directed to aftergraduationhelp@cps.edu.

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 5AM wake-up, followed by physical fitness training at 5:50AM. 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 10PM 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 16  to August 8, new City Colleges students across the city will prepare for a successful college experience by taking a FREE college level course 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 English tutoring and math supports – this is your first step to college success. Apply by May 30.

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.