Recapping Phenomenal Summer Programming at Schools Across Chicago

Our students have been enjoying some well-deserved time off, and our summer programming has made sure they continue to learn and grow even while school is out. This year, CPS offered expanded summer programming that provided additional time and space for students to increase their academic success, be exposed to enriching activities that provide a holistic experience in school, and deepen their connection to other students and their school communities. Check out what some of our schools offered below. 

Azuela Elementary School 

Azuela served approximately 160 students through programs such as Kick Off to Kindergarten, Out-of-School Time, and Summer Bridge. In addition to academics, students were exposed to enrichment topics such as engineering and art. They also participated in field trips to museums and even the Lincoln Park Zoo! 

Burroughs Elementary School 

What an amazing summer at Burroughs! Students had a variety of opportunities to engage in both academic and enrichment activities. They loved the field trips, activities, and academic experiences they had this summer. Everyone at Burroughs took pride in having the ability to create a fun and engaging experience for both students and the community.

DePriest Elementary School 

Principal Niambi Riggins-Thomas was so excited about the amazing progress DePriest students made this summer! The school’s programming was about igniting a passion for learning, fostering individual growth, and building a strong foundation for the upcoming school year. Teachers took a personalized approach, with each teacher reviewing individual student needs, tailoring their instruction to each student's unique strengths and areas for growth. This tied back to DePriest’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded world citizens through diverse and transformative learning opportunities.

DuBois Elementary School 

Students at DuBois enjoyed various hands-on experiences during field trips across the city this summer. They visited the Skydeck, participated in a Chinatown tour, became experts at the Illusion Museum, discovered sensory excitement at the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn, observed the stars at the Planetarium, and explored submarines at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.  Overall, these experiences enriched students' educational journies, making them more engaged, curious, and prepared for the challenges of the new school year.

Goudy Elementary School 

Summer programming at Goudy was a hit from start to finish! Principal Bill Yeh shares that ​watching nervous students give an energetic performance for a crowd has been the most inspiring thing about this summer’s Goudy Rock Band. He also notes that students in the Goudy Bike Club have enjoyed learning how to ride bikes, especially those who started without knowing how. Beyond the joy of cycling, they've reaped the health benefits of staying active outdoors. Many have set personal records for the longest distance they've biked, celebrating each milestone along the way.  

Gresham Elementary School 

The best part of summer programming at Gresham was the ability for students and teachers to build stronger relationships, fostering a more supportive and collaborative environment. Students participated and engaged in standards-based discussion, leading to higher-level thinking, writing, and problem-solving strategies, when they actually feel valued and a part of their classroom community. Smaller intimate class settings created more opportunities for teachers to provide frequent personalized instruction and cater to the specific needs and learning styles of each student.

Harte Elementary School 

Students at Harte enjoyed the variety of programming this summer! The school offered Summer Bridge Plus programming in the morning and Out-of-School Time programming in the afternoon. Students were able to participate in volleyball, soccer, board games, "Fab Lab", and biking programs. Everyone at Harte thought that seeing so many students enjoying the programming and choosing to be at school over the summer was wonderful!

Jordan Elementary School

Over the summer, teachers at Jordan work on a variety of skills that reinforce core instruction while also building interpersonal abilities. For emerging English speakers, they create a safe space for students to open up and develop comfort in their speaking ability, a skill they will use throughout the year. Everyone at Jordan believes summer is a great time to couple instruction with dedicated time to cross classrooms and build bonds that will last through the year. 

Neil Elementary School 

Neil’s summer programming was designed to provide a smooth transition into the new school year by reinforcing essential skills in reading, writing, math, STEM fields, social-emotional learning, community building, and reviewing and refining previously learned material. Students had a blast! See what some of them shared below. 

“I enjoyed Ms. Dameron’s SEL class. She gave us journals and we decorated them in class and she taught us how to put our thoughts and feelings on paper.” - Gianni, 6th Grade

“I enjoyed the writing assignments we did in Summer Bridge. I enjoyed the writing because we were able to create a podcast about what we wrote about.” - Ny’Onna, 6th Grade

“I enjoyed the trips to all the fun places. I was able to touch sting rays and starfish at the Shedd Aquarium, and that was a lot of fun.” - Noah, 4th Grade

Perkins Bass Elementary School  

The school community at Perkins Bass loved watching students engage in programs and activities that enrich the fun and joy of summer along with continuing learning opportunities! Students had the chance to participate in gaming, drum line, robotics, culinary experiences, gaming, team-building sessions, gardening, and dance. They spent time on academics, and each week participated in a culminating field trip to connect the week’s learning! It was pure joy for staff to see the smiles and eagerness on each scholar’s face!

Peterson Elementary School 

Students at Peterson Elementary School have had so much fun this summer. They even went on a field trip to see Inside Out 2, a movie with great connections to social-emotional learning. Hear what some students had to say below. 

“The summer program has helped me for next school year. It also helped me understand what to expect for classwork, and from teachers, for 7th grade. The field trips have been the most fun.” - Jayden, 7th Grade 

“I like it when I am in class doing math, and I like playing Kahoot in reading. I like when you get to pick prizes when you get enough stars.” - Sokhna, 5th Grade 

“Some of the reading we have done makes me feel like I can read good for 1st grade. I liked playing and learning about robots. Also, going on a field trip to meet the chickens.” - Owais, 1st Grade 

Schubert Elementary School 

Students at Schubert loved making real-life connections with what they were learning during summer programming. Kindergarten students read Mi Ciudad Sings and visited the Prosser Garden. Second-grade students visited the Lincoln Park Zoo. Third- and fourth-graders cooked different cuisines and also enjoyed practicing their reading fluency through reading to our kindergarteners. Everyone at Schubert created a culture of learning together and exploring the community through summer programs. 

Solomon Elementary School 

Principal Chris Gamble says that his favorite part of summer programming has been the opportunity for students to develop relationships with their new teachers and peers. His staff created purposeful activities each day to foster those connections, like a daily dance party and play-based learning, and they saw a strong community being built by their kindergarten group already!

Swift Elementary School 

Swift offered 11 programs this summer that accommodated nearly 200 students! Staff loved witnessing how engaged the students were with hands-on projects. Students loved collaborating with peers and applying their learning in a fun, supportive environment. Their creativity and enthusiasm were incredible as they explored new concepts, reviewed prior knowledge, and engaged with never-before-seen activities.