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Program Models

CTE programs provide students with the chance to get a head start on preparing for college and careers. While in high school, in addition to taking all CPS core courses, such as math, science and English, students participating in CTE experience rigorous hands-on training in their chosen industry. Most CTE programs are 3 year programs that you start in 10th grade (though a few are 4 year programs that you start in 9th grade). Students participating in CTE may have the opportunity to earn college credit, attain industry-recognized certifications and participate in job shadows and internships.

College and Career Academies

College and Career Academies are sort of like schools within a school. Academies group CTE programs together; for example: Accounting and Entrepreneurship may be grouped together to form a Business and Finance Academy or CISCO Networking, Game Programming and Web Development may be grouped together to form an IT Academy. Most schools with College and Career Academies offer several CTE programs and have more than one academy.

Early College STEM Schools

STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Early College STEM Schools

Early College STEM Schools (ECSS) connects high school, college, and the world of work through dynamic partnerships and pioneers a new vision for college and career readiness. With a unique Early College model, students will follow CPS high school graduation requirements but will also have the opportunity to graduate high school with industry certifications, significant college credit, and possibly an Associate's Degree. CPS, the City Colleges and our corporate sponsors will work together to ensure that students have an opportunity to pursue a career in technology and gaining skills for the 21st century workforce enabling them to realize their full potential.

School Option Model

The School Option Model is available in many different types of schools such as selective enrollment high schools like Northside Prep and Whitney Young, neighborhood schools like Gage Park and North Grand as well as a few schools like Chicago Ag Academy where all students are in a CTE program. Most schools offering CTE programs offer several programs for students to consider.

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