CPS : Home : Academic Program Request for Proposal (RFP)

At Chicago Public Schools (CPS), our vision for success is for every student in every neighborhood to be engaged in a rigorous, well-rounded instructional program that prepares them for success in college, career, and life.

The district has focused on strengthening neighborhood schools with high-quality academic programming since 2011.

The SY 2019-2020 application for change in programmatic focus will put the voice of our school communities front and center. Through this process, schools will be able to submit proposals requesting the addition of specific academic programs in their schools including, World Language, STEM, Magnet, Gifted, Dual Language and Fine and Performing Arts Programs, and establishing ‘IB Neighborhoods’. This new application process seeks to establish integrity in district decision making as it will provide transparency and clarity into the process of adding academic programs to schools.

The district will give careful consideration to high-quality applications that address a programmatic need, have a strong implementation plan, and have the clear support of the school administration, local school council, and parents. Schools that apply but are not chosen will be given clear, objective rationale, as well as areas of improvement so they can focus on strengthening structures to ensure successful program implementation.

To identify opportunities for additional investment and develop a transparent and equitable investment process, the district worked with Kids First Chicago to develop the first-ever Annual Regional Analysis (ARA), a fact-based report to empower communities with objective school-level and regional education data. Before beginning the Letter of Intent, please review the Annual Regional Analysis.

The SY 2019-2020 Request for Proposals

CPS is seeking proposals from Elementary and High School leaders requesting the addition of specific academic programs in their schools. The information, forms, and support tools needed to complete this application can be found in the three tabs on this site:

Timeline - This tab provides a timeline of the RFP process.
Letter of Intent - This tab provides the Letter of Intent and includes the accompanying materials required to develop and submit a proposal.
Program Descriptions - This tab provides an overview of each program to which can you apply.

Timeline

Activity	Proposed Date	Information and Updates
RFP Released	October 1, 2018
Principal Info Session	October 9, 2018	CPS is hosting an informational session to afford principals the opportunity to learn more about programmatic offerings and ask questions. This session is optional and for informational purposes only. You are welcome to bring a member of your school community/team. Please fill out the Programmatic Focus RSVP Form if you are interested in attending this session, and CPS will follow up with the location prior to the date.
School Letter of Intent Due	October 26, 2018	Due by email to programsfocus@cps.edu by 5 p.m.
Selected Schools Invited into RFP Process	December 3, 2018	Please find the full application here.
RFP Application Window Closes	January 11, 2019
School Site Visits by Appropriate Departments	January-February 2019
Notification of Applicant Status	March 1, 2019
CPS Board Meeting	May 2019	42 W. Madison, Chicago, IL

CPS reserves the right to request additional information and documentation from applicants, as deemed necessary for review, and to amend this timeline as needed.

Letter of Intent

CPS has created a rubric to help schools develop high quality applications. However, please note that CPS may consider factors in addition to the rubric and incomplete applications will not be considered.

In evaluating Letters of Intent, we look for schools that have strong or increasing enrollment to support program implementation with fidelity.

Letters and accompanying documents should be emailed to programsfocus@cps.edu no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 26, 2018.

Network Chiefs can fill out the attached form and send it back to programsfocus@cps.edu.

Network Chief Support Form

Program Overview

Key information about each programmatic area is available in the linked PDFs. Please review the one-pager for the program you are applying for. If you have questions, please email programsfocus@cps.edu.

Download the Program Overview

Community Meetings

The Annual Regional Analysis (ARA) supports the district's mission to provide every student with a high-quality education in every neighborhood by giving stakeholders a common set of information regarding school quality, enrollment patterns, school options, and program offerings by region.

ARA workshops will be led by senior CPS leaders and provide members of the community with an opportunity to learn about and discuss the schools in their region. Each meeting will begin with a short presentation by CPS leadership on the ARA and conclude with facilitated table discussions to brainstorm ways to invest in and strengthen schools throughout Chicago.

Meeting dates are subject to change, and we will continue to update this page:

West Side

October 17th, 6:00-8:00 PM
Collins High School
Registration Link

Greater Lincoln Park

October 18th, 6:00-8:00 PM
Lincoln Park High School
Registration Link

Greater Calumet

October 22nd, 6:00-8:00 PM
Corliss High School
Registration Link

South Side

November 7th, 6:00-8:00 PM
Lindblom HS, 6130 S Wolcott Ave.
Registration Link

Greater Stony Island

November 8th, 6:00-8:00 PM
CVCA HS, 2100 E 87th St.
Registration Link

Far Southwest Side

November 13th, 6:00-8:00 PM
Morgan Park HS, 1744 W Pryor Ave,
Registration Link

Far Northwest Side

November 14th, 6:00-8:00 PM
Steinmetz HS, 3030 N Mobile Ave.
Registration Link

Greater Milwaukee

November 15th, 6:00-8:00 PM
Wells HS, 936 N Ashland Ave.
Registration Link

Greater Stockyards

November 19th, 6:00-8:00 PM
Kelly HS, 4136 S California Ave.
Registration Link

Pilsen/Little Village

November 26th, 6:00-8:00 PM
Juarez HS, 1450 W Cermak Rd.
Registration Link

Greater Midway

December 6th, 6:00-8:00 PM
Curie HS, 4959 S Archer Ave.
Registration Link

North Lakefront

December 11th, 6:00-8:00 PM
Sullivan HS, 6631 N Bosworth Ave.
Registration Link

Near West Side

December 12th, 6:00-8:00 PM
Phoenix HS, 145 S Campbell Ave.
Registration Link

Bronzeville/South Lakefront

December 13th, 6:00-8:00 PM
Dyett HS, 555 E 51st St.
Registration Link

Northwest Side

December 18th, 6:00-8:00 PM
Roosevelt HS, 3436 W Wilson Ave.
Registration Link

Central Area

December 19th, 6:00-8:00 PM
Graham HS, 2347 S Wabash Ave.
Registration Link

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Academic Program Request for Proposal (RFP)