CPS summer school supplements school year instruction to keep elementary school students on track to enter high school. By June 1st, schools notify parents if their student must attend Summer Bridge, along with providing dates, site locations, and transportation details.
Students who have modified promotion criteria on their IEPs and have met the criteria are not required to attend summer school.
If you have questions about whether your student is required to attend summer school, contact your student’s school.
Summer Bridge
June 30 - July 24, 2025
Students in grades 2nd, 5th, and 8th who do not meet the minimum promotion criteria are required to attend Summer Bridge.
The Summer Bridge program is located at select sites and provides customized, intensive instruction to meet students' individual needs in reading and mathematics using an online curriculum. At the conclusion of the program, students who successfully meet promotion criteria will advance to the next grade.
Summer Bridge is a four hour program that runs for five weeks and meets Monday through Friday.
Summer Bridge Parent Appeal to Promotion Determination
July 25 - August 1, 2025
If you wish to appeal your child’s promotion determination and have documentation demonstrating why policy requirements for your child’s academic performance and/or attendance record should be waived, contact your child's school to obtain a Parent Appeal of Promotion Determination Letter or complete this online Parent Appeal of Promotion Determination Form.
Parents have five calendar days following the receipt of the promotion determination notice to submit an appeal in writing. To file an appeal, complete the following steps:
- Contact your child's school to obtain a Parent Appeal of Promotion Determination Letter or complete this online Parent Appeal of Promotion Determination Form.
- Provide any additional evidence such as the final June and Summer Bridge report cards, IEP, a doctor’s statement, parent notes, obituaries, or letters of support with documented evidence from teachers or principals that would justify waiving the requirements outlined in the Elementary School Promotion Policy.
- Keep parent notes for excused absences on file. Notes written after July 24 and not entered in CPS system of student record (by the Summer Bridge Host school) will not be accepted.
- Email the appeal and attachments no later than August 1 to the Summer Assistance Team, Department of Instructional Supports at summerbridge@cps.edu. Do NOT email the document(s) multiple times as this will cause a delay in processing.
- The Appeals committee may require additional documentation to support or refute a parent appeal. Parents should have received the following documentation:
- The School/Parent Guide to the Elementary School Promotion Policy
- The Promotion Notification Letter in (End of Traditional School Year)
- The Promotion Determination Letter (End of Summer Bridge)
- Phone log documenting attempted engagement of student(s)
The Office of Teaching and Learning has ten business days from the date the appeal is received to review the student’s records of academic achievement and attendance and respond to the parent’s appeal. A copy of the Appeal Determination will be faxed or scanned and emailed to the Home school principal and mailed to the home address provided on the appeal form.
High School Connection
High School Connection supports students in their transition to high school by introducing them to staff and classmates, familiarizing them with graduation requirements and academic expectations, and equipping them with study strategies and stress management techniques.
As research strongly encourages students to build their skills in math, ELA, and socio-emotional skill building, students will receive instruction in those subjects as well as go on field trips, meet their classmates, and learn about their new high school. CPS 9th grade data shows that students who participate in High School Connection pass more classes than non-participants.
High School Connection takes place between June 25 and July 31, 2025 (dates vary by High School), during which students will:
- Meet school staff
- Learn graduation requirements and expectations
- Brush up on their study skills
- Learn techniques for coping with stress
- Get to know their new classmates through field trips and other activities
More information will be provided by your High School before summer 2025.
Related Links
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Learn more about promotion criteria for elementary and high school.
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CPS provides free meals inside the school to students attending summer programs as well as all children ages 1-18 years old in the community (children do not have to be CPS students).