Do Students Have Access to the Variety of Schools and Programs Offered?
Elementary Program Density Table
The Program Density Index measures the density of certain academic programs in each region. The index is calculated as the number of program seats per 100 age-eligible CPS students who reside in the region. This index can be used to compare program availability across regions. For more information about types of programs, visit cps.edu/rfp.
The Far Southwest Side region has a high density of elementary Fine & Performing Arts and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. There are some elementary Regional Gifted Center/Classical and Academic Center programs.
Elementary Program Density Table
(Number of Program Seats Per 100 Students)
1. Program capacity data is self-reported by schools and fluctuates year to year. Data regarding the presence of programs or the number of seats in programs may be missing or incomplete.
2. STEM elementary programs include STEM, STEAM, Math, Science, Engineering, and Technology magnet and magnet cluster programs. Schools may offer STEM programming outside of magnet schools/magnet cluster programs.
3. Personalized Learning is a learner-driven instructional model that fosters 21st century skills by empowering every student to actively co-design their learning path, pace, and environment according to their individual needs, strengths, and interests. This data includes schools that are on the path to schoolwide adoption of this approach.
4. Many schools offer arts programming outside of magnet schools/magnet cluster programs. Schools receive a Creative Schools Certification indicating the strength of their arts programming. More information can be found on each school’s profile page.
5. Other includes: Humanities, Math/Science, Math/Science/Technology, Montessori, Montessori/Fine & Performing Arts, Scholastic, and World Language and International Studies schools and programs.
High School Program Density Table
The Program Density Index measures the density of certain academic programs in each region. The index is calculated as the number of program seats per 100 age-eligible CPS students who reside in the region. This index can be used to compare program availability across regions. For more information about types of programs, visit cps.edu/rfp.
The Far Southwest Side region has a high density of high school Career & Technical Education (CTE) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. There are some Military/Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) programs.
High School Program Density Table
(Number of Program Seats Per 100 Students)
1. Program capacity data is self-reported by schools and fluctuates year to year. Data regarding the presence of programs or the number of seats in programs may be missing or incomplete.
2. Selective Enrollment, Military, and IB programs have admissions criteria for enrollment.
3. Many schools may offer STEM programming beyond those designated as Early College STEM schools.
4. Personalized Learning is a learner-driven instructional model that fosters 21st century skills by empowering every student to actively co-design their learning path, pace, and environment according to their individual needs, strengths, and interests. This data includes schools that are on the path to schoolwide adoption of this approach.
5. Many schools offer arts programming outside of these specific Fine and Performing Arts programs. Schools receive a Creative Schools Certification indicating the strength of their arts programming. More information can be found on each school’s profile page.
6. Other includes: AVID, Dual Language, Journalism, Science, Three-Year HS, and World Language and International Studies schools and programs.
Elementary Program Seats Table
Number of Elementary School Program Seats in the Region
NOTE: Program capacity data is self-reported by schools and fluctuates year to year. Data regarding the presence of programs or the number of seats in programs may be missing or incomplete.
High School Program Seats Table
Number of High School Program Seats in the Region
NOTE: Program capacity data is self-reported by schools and fluctuates year to year. Data regarding the presence of programs or the number of seats in programs may be missing or incomplete.
Early College and Career Credential Achievement
Early College and Career Credential (ECCC) programs provide access and support for rigorous, college-level, hands-on, and career-focused courses and experiences. ECCC programs advance student postsecondary success through earned college credits or professional credentials and the exposure to soft skills needed to succeed in college, civic, life, and the 21st-century labor market.
There are 7 different ECCC programs available to CPS students, including:
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- Career & Technical Education (CTE)
- Dual Credit (DC)
- Dual Enrollment (DE)
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC)
- Seal of Biliteracy (SSB)
CPS has set an ambitious goal that 60% of students will earn an Early College and Career Credential by the time they graduate and considers ECCC rates to be a measure of student preparedness for postsecondary success.
In 2021-22, 55% of students residing in the Far Southwest Side region earned at least one ECCC compared to 46% of students across CPS. Of the 7 ECCC programs, students residing in the Far Southwest Side region earned the most credentials in Dual Credit (31% of students) and Advanced Placement (23% of students) programs last school year.
ECCC Achievement by Program in the Region
ECCC Achievement by Program in the Region
NOTE: Students can earn an ECCC in more than one program. Students earning more than one credential are counted in each program category.
To learn more about AP, visit www.cps.edu/academics/college-credit/ap-credit. To learn more about CTE, DC, and DE programs, visit www.cps.edu/about/departments/early-college-and-career-education-ecce. To learn more about IB, visit www.cps.edu/academics/college-credit/ib-credit. To learn more about JROTC, visit www.chicagojrotc.com. To learn more about SSB, visit www.cps.edu/academics/language-and-culture/seal-of-biliteracy.