CPS Programs
A curriculum used in schools all around the world. This program aims to develop curious, informed, and caring young people who help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. Students take honors classes freshman and sophomore year to prepare for classes in this program their junior and senior year. Students take this program's exams at the end of the year. If a student scores well on the exam, many colleges will recognize the class as a college credit. This program's classes are similarly rigorous as AP classes, however have an emphasis on writing.
What is an International Baccalaureate (IB) Program?
These schools are run by the Catholic church. In addition to the typical classes, students will take some religious classes and, at some schools, attend mass. You don’t have to be Catholic to attend. Students must pay tuition to attend. These schools have an entrance exam, and can choose which students they accept.
What is a Catholic school?
Programs offered: International Baccalaureate (IB), Construction & Architecture, Media & Communication Arts
Mascot: Trojans
# of Students: 1,737
Hint: This is the neighborhood school for the majority of Namaste 8th graders.
What is Kelly HS?
A Catholic school
Some examples:
What is De La Salle, Cristo Rey, St. Ignatius, etc.?
As a freshman, physics, world studies, math are taught in 80% Spanish and 20% in English. As a sophomore, chemistry, world history, and math are taught in 80% Spanish and 20% in English. Students will also take AP Spanish Language as a freshman, and AP Spanish Literature as a sophomore. Students must have Spanish as a primary language and a GPA over 2.5 to apply.
What is a dual language program?
There are 11 of these schools in the district. Students must have high High School Admission Test scores and strong grades to be offered a space at these schools, which makes them competitive to get into. These schools offer many advanced classes and a large range of electives.
What is a selective enrollment school?
Programs offered: International Baccalaureate (IB), Business & Finance, Construction & Architecture, Transportation, Media & Communication Arts, Culinary & Hospitality, Fine & Performing Arts, Education & Training, Journalism & Writing, Manufacturing & Engineering,
Mascot: Condors
# of Students: 3,065
Hint: This is the neighborhood school if you live by Midway Airport.
What is Curie HS?
A Noble charter school
Some examples:
What is Noble - Muchin, Noble - Rauner, Noble - Bulls, Noble - Mansueto, Noble UIC, etc.?
This program focuses on a specific art form, such as dance, digital media, vocal music, instrumental music, theater, or visual arts. Some programs are rigorous and require an audition or portfolio to be considered. For example, at Chi Arts students take core academic classes in the morning, and spend the afternoon in conservatory classes. However, at other schools you take 2 electives in this program per year in addition to core classes.
This type of school is not regulated or funded by the government, which means it can follow its own curriculum. Students pay tuition to attend. Most schools have an entrance exam and a unique instructional model that they use. These schools can choose which students they accept.
What is a private school?
Programs offered: Manufacturing & Engineering, Law & Public Safety, Selective Enrollment
Mascot: Eagles
# of Students: 1019
Hint: This school is named after a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
What is Hancock HS?
2 selective enrollment schools
What is... Brooks, Hancock, Jones, Lane, Lindblom, King, Northside, Payton, South Shore, Westinghouse, or Whitney Young?
(Must name 2 of these)
This program focuses on leadership, character development, community service, and citizenship. Students attend a class in this program every year and wear the program's uniform once a week. The program has color guard competitions, orienteering events, and city-wide sports challenges. A school does not need to be affiliated with the armed forces to offer this program.
What is the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC)?
What is a boarding school?
Programs offered: World/Dual Language, International Baccalaureate (IB)
Mascot: Bobcats
# of students: 1057
Hint: Campus is on 47th St. and includes a nature walk.
What is Back of the Yards HS?
An Acero charter high school
What is Acero - Garcia or Acero - Soto?
This program provides students with the strong biological and natural background in science to help students understand the principles that are important to the management and raising of individual species as well as livestock and companion animals. This pathway also allows students to gather a basic understanding on how these animals are raised and managed with an emphasis on new technological applications and animal production. Students are introduced to specific principles in animal nutrition, physiology, behavior, reproduction, and molecular genetics. Students also address the industry characteristics and management of individual species such as beef and dairy cattle, swine, sheep, horses, and poultry.
What is an animal science program?
These schools offer the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications that can be used to gain full-time employment or jobs to help pay for college. In addition to core classes, these schools provide students with opportunities to explore careers and gain marketable skills, such as welding, culinary arts, or cosmetology.
What is a career academy?
Programs offered: STEM
Mascot: Patriots
# of students: 652
Hint: This school shares a building with Acero-Zizumbo and Acero-Torres.
What is Acero - Garcia?
A selective enrollment school with a choice program available only to students who live within an attendance boundary
What is Jones HS or Hancock HS?
Both offer Manufacturing & Engineering and Law & Public Safety programs for student who live within the attendance boundary.