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Re-Engagement to High School

CPS provides pathways for students to get back on track to receive their high school diploma.

Options Schools

Student with their hands in their pocket image

"I have been out of school, but I am ready to come back."

Student with an armful of papers image

"I am a parent, and I want a school that can support me as I finish high school."

Laughing student wearing a backpack image

"I was expelled, but I want to finish school. Where can I go?"

Student slightly smiling image

"I have been involved in the juvenile justice system, and I want to go back to school. Where can I go for help?"

Student grinning image

"I am behind on credits, and I need help getting back on track toward graduation."

Student with hands clasped in front of her image

"I have a job, and need a school that works around my schedule."

Options Schools serve students who have been out of school and seek to return, or who may need opportunities to earn credits in an accelerated program. Some of our campuses offer additional supports such as counseling and alternative schedules for students who may work during the traditional school day.

Options Schools include 10 Alternative Learning Opportunities Programs (ALOP) and SAFE Schools. 

  • ALOP offers personalized re-entry options and comprehensive educational services to students who have become disengaged from the school system.
  • SAFE schools allow students temporarily removed from school for behavioral violations to continue to receive credits for their studies through alternative educational placements.

Student Outreach and Re-Engagement (SOAR) 

SOAR has four citywide offices to help students ages 15 to 21 determine the best Options School placement and provide them with support on the pathway to graduation. 

As part of the program, students participate in a two-week re-engagement workshop, receive a transcript evaluation and graduation plan, participate in school placement meetings, and transition into a selected school of transfer designed to meet their academic needs. 

A Re-Engagement Specialist will check in with the student and school bi-weekly to receive reports on behavior, attendance, and grades. Students are supported to reach stable school enrollment in order to stay on track to graduate.

Students interested in enrolling in the Options Schools program should contact one of the Student Outreach And Re-engagement Centers (SOAR), or email Erinn Bonne, the Re-Engagement Program Manager, at eboone@cps.edu.

SOAR Center Locations

The Student Outreach And Re-engagement Centers (SOAR) of CPS will help you find a school that works for you. Contact them today to speak to a specialist:

Location Name Phone Address
Pilsen/Little Village SOAR Center 773-542-9030 3948 W. 26th St., Suite 213
East/West Garfield Park SOAR Center 773-265-0560 2622 W. Jackson Blvd., 2nd Floor
Roseland SOAR Center 773-291-1086 837 W. 119th St.
Englewood SOAR Center 773-358-3248 945 W. 69th St., 2nd Floor

Options Schools

  1. PEACE AND EDUCATION HS  773-535-9212   4946 S Paulina St Chicago, Illinois 60609
  2. SIMPSON HS  773-534-7812   1321 S Paulina St Chicago, Illinois 60608

For additional information or support in enrolling a student in an Options School,  please contact the Office of Innovation and Incubation at 773-553-1530, 42 W. Madison, Chicago, IL 60602.

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