CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIPS
The Center for Access and Attainment is currently managing partnerships with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and college preparatory organizations that draw students from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) was established by the U.S. Department of Education to increase the number of low-income students prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
- CPS International Baccalaureate programs provide rigorous college preparation curriculum implemented in 14 neighborhood high schools. DePaul has partnered with IB coordinators and teachers from these high schools to develop student programs and academic enrichment opportunities. The majority of IB students in Chicago are students of color and/or from low-income families.
- CPS Male Initiative Project is a mentoring program for African-American and Latino males established in 2006 by counselors and teachers in 30 CPS high schools. DePaul is the project’s main institutional higher education partner. The university has hosted the project's annual student development retreat for 200 African-American and Latino high school males from participating CPS high schools, provided a student intern for the project, and hosted project leaders for a student leadership and planning workshop.
Additional CPS Resources
- CPS Office of College and Career Preparation (OCCP) is committed to successfully transitioning more of CPS high school students into postsecondary education and employment. OCCP coordinates academic programming, such as AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) and CTE (Career & Technical Education), as well as school-based staff with a focus on college and career preparation, such as secondary counselors, college and career coaches and specialists.