Chicago Public Schools Launches Summer Programs for 90,000 Students

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez and Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot have announced the launch of a wide range of summer programs for approximately 90,000 students. The programs aim to provide academic, enrichment, career training, and job opportunities to keep young people engaged, safe, and connected with their peers and mentors.

The District has worked closely with the City of Chicago to promote "Big Apps for Youth," a City program that connects every young person to youth-centered and engaging experiences. As of today, the program has received more than 25,300 applications for summer programs from CPS students at 602 schools. CPS will provide expanded summer programming as a District and in partnership with the City of Chicago and its various agencies, as well as community-based organizations and private companies.

Key Takeaways:

• CPS will spend up to $50 million to support summer programming for 90,000 students.
• The District will provide expanded summer programming in partnership with the City of Chicago, community-based organizations, and private companies.
• Summer internship and training programs are available through the City, community organizations, and CPS partners, such as JLL and the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE).
• 19 Class of 2022 graduates will participate in a paid trainee position with JLL, with 10 from Chicago Vocational Career Academy and 3 from Peace and Education High School.
• IUOE will offer a paid trainee position with JLL to promote diversity and provide access to a career path in engineering.
• The selected participants will work to complete the IUOE Trainee program as operating engineers and will be training with a highly skilled JLL mentor.
• Students will be eligible to apply for work at CPS, which can open the door to job opportunities throughout the U.S. and globally.
• The CPS Office of Career and Technical Education (CTE) is hosting "CTE Summer Camps 2022" to expose students to various career paths.
• The summer camps will take place at 23 District-wide high schools between July 5 and Aug. 11.
• Students will make corporate site visits, participate in interactive projects, and develop employability skills.
• The District will provide students access to three types of programs in their neighborhoods and schools, from those that are required and overseen by the District, to local opt-in programs, and school-designed programs.
• Safety programs, including the "Summer Safe Passage" workers, will be extended into the summer to support students who will be attending programming at various Chicago Parks.

Statistics:

• $50 million to support summer programming for 90,000 students.
• 25,300 applications for summer programs from CPS students at 602 schools.
• 19 Class of 2022 graduates participating in a paid trainee position with JLL.
• 10 graduates from Chicago Vocational Career Academy participating in the paid trainee position with JLL.
• 3 graduates from Peace and Education High School participating in the paid trainee position with JLL.
• 550 job opportunities to be offered to CPS students who are participants in the Choose to Change Program.
• $18 million investment in the pilot program "Back to Our Future" to support 1,000 young people in high-risk situations.

Sources:

• Chicago Public Schools (CPS)
• Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot
• CPS Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez
• "Big Apps for Youth" program by the City of Chicago
• International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 399
• JLL
• Choose to Change Program by Community-Based Organizations
• "Back to Our Future" pilot program by Governor Pritzker, Mayor Lightfoot, and CPS