Dear CPS Colleagues, Families, and Supporters,
Prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, we highlighted the great work being done at Westinghouse College Prep in Humboldt Park around enrolling more students in Advanced Placement (AP) courses. This week, I’m pleased to continue talking about college and career readiness at CPS by spotlighting the excellent work of two additional schools.
This week, we were eager to spotlight Gwendolyn Brooks High School in Roseland, where a growing number of students are enrolled in dual-credit and dual-enrollment courses. Students take these classes at school, online, and on the campuses of our partner universities, giving them the chance to earn college credit even before they graduate from high school.
This headstart saves our students both time and money. Equally important, though, it prepares them for what they can expect months (or even years) before they set foot in a college classroom.
Like Westinghouse and Brooks, Back-of-the-Yards High School offers students AP and dual credit, dual-enrollment options, as well as a robust International Baccalaureate (IB) program. This unique combination of pathways explains why nearly 60% of BOTY’s Class of 2025 graduates finished high school having already earned college credit.
Through various program types, IB students develop critical-thinking, research, and communication skills against a backdrop of globally-focused coursework. Our District’s robust selection of IB options allows students to design an academic pathway that reflects their individual interests while earning substantial college credit.
Along with other early college and career opportunities, including AP, CTE, and JROTC, the IB and dual-credit, dual-enrollment programs celebrated this week create flexible, high-quality pathways that meet the needs of our diverse student body. Whether students pursue a full diploma programme, explore specialized coursework, or accumulate transferable credits, these opportunities help them build confidence, reduce college costs, and prepare for success after high school.
I applaud the school communities of Brooks and BOTY for moving us closer to the goal established in Success 2029: Together We Rise—our District’s five-year strategic plan. This ambitious plan calls for increasing the percentage of high school graduates earning college course credits and career credentials from 49 percent in 2024 to 70 percent by 2029. We are currently at 56.3%, and I’m confident that with the continued hard work of our students, and the dedication of our educators and partners, we can sustain our momentum and reach this ambitious goal!
Sincerely,
Dr. Macquline King
Interim Superintendent/CEO
Chicago Public Schools
Highlight Your School for the Holidays
We know that there are great things going on in our schools this holiday season! Please let us know about your holiday celebrations and special events, including those featuring your students and staff giving back to the community, using the Good News Form!
A Look Around the District
Check out these highlights from schools across our district!
McKay Elementary in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood recently hosted a Family Thanksgiving Meal giveaway as a way to show gratitude to the school community. During this event, families received baskets of food, pastries, and fresh produce.
Similarly, families and staff at Disney Elementary, located in Hermosa, showed their appreciation for their students at the school’s third annual Gratitude Assembly. As part of this school-wide celebration, families wrote a heartfelt letter to their children, sharing why they are grateful for them. Students opened their letters after the assembly, showcasing a powerful moment of connection, joy, and appreciation.
Lastly, Mollison Elementary in the Bronzeville neighborhood hosted a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its brand-new playground, which was made possible by a grant from Space to Grow!
Applications Now Open for Black Student Achievement Committee
The Chicago Board of Education is now accepting online applications for its Black Student Achievement Committee (BSAC). This opportunity is open to a broad range of CPS stakeholders, including students, parents, public school educators and administrators, social service providers, and community leaders. Fourteen individuals will be selected to serve a one-year term on the BSAC.
Applicants must reside within the city of Chicago, and if selected, must complete the CPS New Volunteer Application. Those who successfully complete the volunteer application will participate in an onboarding process before their names are released publicly.
The BSAC is committed to a fair and transparent process for selecting members. As such, the application process will use an initial screening and scoring methodology to ensure candidates align with the profile criteria outlined in the Illinois School Code, including a demonstrated commitment to racial justice and public education.
Apply online through Monday, Dec. 22, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Applications Open Now for FREE Music, Dance, and Theater Program
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the All-City Performing Arts (ACPA) 2025–26 season! ACPA is our world-class performing arts ensemble program that provides CPS students in grades 3–12 the opportunity to learn directly from experienced instructors, grow in their chosen art forms, and meet other student artists from across the District. ACPA ensembles meet on Saturdays (in person) at Jones College Prep High School. If you are interested, don’t wait to apply! Applications close on December 19! You can see the full schedule of ensembles, learn more about the program, and apply at cps.edu/acpa. Please email allcityarts@cps.edu with any questions.
Calling CPS Students: Be Part of a Hamilton Project About Democracy and Justice
The Youth Civic Light Opera of Chicago is inviting students in middle school through college to apply to participate in Hamilton: The Re-Education of America! This is a youth-centered project where Chicago’s young people will explore history, racial justice, and civic leadership through the musical Hamilton. Students can apply by emailing a one-minute vocal video (rap, R&B, or pop) to info@ycloc.org with the subject line “Hamilton Youth Submission – [Student Name]”. The deadline to apply is Thursday, December 11 at 11:59 p.m. We encourage our students to take this opportunity to step into the spotlight, share their voice, and help re-write the story of America through a Chicago lens.
CPS Students Get an Up-Close Look at College
Thousands of CPS students participated in Education Day at Chicago State University this week. The experience included a basketball game between CSU and Saint Xavier, along with the chance to experience CSU’s campus and explore its academic programs firsthand.
CPS Partners Making Career Exploration Fun
Thank you to the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), Jackbox Games, and Cultural Skies for partnering with CPS to make career exploration fun and interactive for our students! Two team-based challenges gave 200 students from CPS high schools across the city the chance to explore career possibilities in video game engineering, information technology, and computer science.
Consider Running for Your Local School Council
Applications are now being accepted for our District’s next Local School Council election in the spring of 2026. Students, parents, staff, and community members who are interested in running for a seat on their LSC can apply online at cps.edu/lscelections.
LSC members have many important responsibilities, including approving academic plans, aligning financial resources to those plans, and selecting and evaluating school principals.
LSC candidates must file their paperwork by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20 in order to run in the next LSC election on March 18, 2026. More information is available at cps.edu/lscelections.
Experience Fall in the Parks
Register for winter programs beginning December 8 and 9. Find something to get your kids out and active during the winter months! There is something for every age group throughout the city, and classes are very affordable. Most programs run January 5 through March 15, 2026. View programs and create a wish list beginning December 1. Learn more here.
Come out and skate! All outdoor ice rinks are now open, weather permitting! Pre-registration is required for all ice rink programs, including open skate sessions. Learn more and register for a skating session here!
Traveling for the holidays? Check out our holiday tree at O’Hare Airport. This year, the Chicago Park District was invited to participate in the annual Holidays at O’Hare tree decorating program. This is a great way to promote the parks and bring seasonal cheer to both travelers and the airport community. You will find the tree in Terminal 2 by the family area. Be sure to take a photo and tag us on social media.
Tell us about your favorite park treasures. As the Park District prepares to celebrate our 100-year anniversary in 2034, we’re developing a Centennial Plan for Historic Assets. We want to hear from you! Tell us which historic buildings, landscapes, sculptures, murals, and park features matter most to you—and which might need some extra care or attention. Your stories, memories, and ideas will help inform our Centennial Plan. Submissions will be accepted through December 15, 2025. Learn more and submit your favorite treasures here.
Calling Chicago performing artists and filmmakers: Be part of the 2026 season of Night Out in the Parks and the Chicago Onscreen Local Film Showcase! Submit your Night Out in the Parks proposal or Chicago Onscreen film application today! The submission deadline is December 8. Learn more and apply now.
Apply now to be a 2026 summer lifeguard. Get your summer job plans in motion now. Make $20.50 an hour next summer as a Chicago Park District lifeguard. Apply now and select your test date—the next test will be offered on December 20. Must be a Chicago resident and at least 16 years old by July 1, 2026. Learn more and apply here.
For questions, please email play@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
Important Dates
For more upcoming events around the District, visit cps.edu/calendar.
- Thursday, December 18: Board of Education meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Monday, December 22–Friday, January 2: All CPS students and teachers will be on winter break from December 22 through January 2; all CPS offices will be closed from December 25 through January 1.