Summer Programs

JUNE 24 TO JULY 26, 2024

Supporting Continued Learning, Growth and Achievement

Chicago Public Schools will offer expanded summer programming in 2024 that provides additional time and space for students to increase their academic success, be exposed to enriching activities that provide a holistic experience in school, and deepen their connection to other students and their school communities.

Browse our program catalog below to view opportunities for summer learning. We will also update this page with a searchable map of school-specific programs before the end of the school year. For information about registering for specific programs, contact your school directly.

What to Know This Year

  • How to register: For information about registering for specific summer programs, contact your school directly. 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.
  • Charter and contract schools: 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: 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.

Summer Programs Catalog

Academic Programs

Designed to provide students with extra academic support in core subjects.

SUMMER BRIDGE PLUS

Mandatory for students in 2nd, 5th, and 8th grades who do not meet the minimum promotion criteria are required to attend Summer Bridge Plus. Optional and encouraged for students invited by their school to receive engagement and academic support. 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. Please note: that schools with ongoing capital improvement projects may be exempt from hosting this academic enrichment summer program. 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.

  • ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS

    Offers dynamic programmatic opportunities over the summer to students in grades 1 through 12 through the following programs: Summer Knights Chess (June 24 - July 12), Chicago Debates Summer Institutes (July 15 - August 2), and Bizee Bee Spelling and Literacy Summer Camp (July 8 - 19).

  • HS CREDIT RECOVERY

    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.

  • 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.

  • ES EL NEWCOMER SUMMER SUPPORT

    OLCE Newcomer Summer Support targets ELs who are newcomers and provides ESL instruction with the goals of improving academic outcomes and increasing student's English language development. Families of students that are eligible for OLCE Newcomer Summer Support should have received an invitation from their school.

  • HS ESL CREDIT ATTAINMENT

    English as a Second Language (ESL) Credit Attainment allows English Learners (ELs) to earn the ESL credits they need to graduate. The  ESL Credit Attainment program this summer will target ELs in grade 11-12 needing to attain ESL credit to graduate and newcomers needing ESL I/Communications I for ELs Semester. 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.

  • 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/obtainment. Students that are eligible for Summer Tassel Truancy Intervention will receive notification from their school.

  • SUMMER OF ALGEBRA

    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.

  • CBE SUMMER MASTERY

    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.

  • 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.

  • OUT OF SCHOOL TIME

    OST summer programs are school designed and planned and offer academic support, enrichment activities, and mentorship designed to engage students, build community and connectedness to school, expose students to new opportunities and learning, and meet students’ needs and interests.

  • ECCE YOUTH APPRENTICESHIPS

    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

    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) 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.

Transition Programs

Designed to support purposeful academic transitions for students and their families by equipping them with resources, guidance, and peer connections.

PREVIEW TO PRE-K

Preview to Pre-K (PTPK) will support students to develop their love of school and learning through social-emotional, early literacy and early math activities. All rising pre-k students are eligible to participate in PTPK at the CPS school at which they are enrolled in for pre-k for Fall 2024. Preview to Pre-K is offered at select schools.

  • KICK OFF TO KINDERGARTEN

    Kick Off to Kindergarten (KOTK) will support students to be kindergarten ready, focusing on early literacy, early math, and social-emotional skills through a district provided curriculum. All rising kindergarten students are eligible to participate in KOTK at the CPS school at which they are enrolled in for kindergarten for Fall 2024. 

  • FRESHMAN CONNECTION

    As research strongly encourages Math, English, and team/SEL skill building to best support Freshman On Track rates, students will receive instruction in English, Math, and School Counseling as well as have the opportunity to participate in team building, field trips, and enrichment activities. CPS Freshman on Track Data has shown that students who participate in Freshman Connection have a higher FOT rate than non-participants. Freshman Connection takes place between June 26 - July 26, 2024, (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.

  • ACCELERATION AT FRESHMAN CONNECTION HOST SCHOOLS

    The Acceleration version of Freshman 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 Freshman 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

    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.

  • JROTC CADET LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE

    JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge is designed to: 1) Provide Cadets an opportunity to practice leadership skills in an unfamiliar environment. 2) Allow Cadets a chance to participate in citizenship building exercises, 3) Give Cadets the opportunity to experience living and interacting with their peers from other schools, 4) Instruct leadership-type skills to Cadets using a variety of tasks such as land navigation, archery, leadership reaction course, rappelling, sports, drones, and robots, 5) Provide an opportunity to participate in adventure training not normally available to Cadets, 6) Take advantage of recreational facilities and have fun.

  • JROTC COMMAND AND STAFF LEADERSHIP SCHOOL

    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 SY 24-25.  The staff will develop products such as the vision, mission, and goals for the year.  In addition, they will develop the calendar and start the service learning brainstorming of ideas for their yearly projects.  

  • SUMMER START

    CPS graduates headed to a City Colleges of Chicago campus can earn up to $1,000 and 3 college credits through this 7-week summer program. Students get an introduction to college life, take a free college course, receive English and Math support, and build community with their peers. Apply by May 27.

Partner Programs

Browse more summer programs from our partner organizations.