Planning Rationale
CPS offers school types and programs at the elementary and high school level that focus on specific subjects, encourage challenging curriculum and/or engage in international performance metrics. Categorized as Magnet, Gifted and International Baccalaureate (IB), they may serve a targeted group of students or be integrated throughout the school.
Additional programs that can exist in schools may focus on specific subject areas including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics); STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and Fine and Performing Arts. These school types and programs can co-exist in the same school. Facility improvements may be needed to meet program requirements or school types as well as provide accessibility as required. Accessibility should be reviewed for improvements to or the introduction of a Magnet, Gifted and/or IB program in a school. The applicable department should be engaged by the planning/design manager to ensure that planned improvements align with the specific school or program type.
Magnet Gifted and International Baccalaureate
Magnet
A magnet school is a specialized school that focuses its curriculum on one particular subject area, such as math/ science, humanities, Montessori, or world language. Most elementary magnet schools do not have attendance boundaries, so students from across the city are able to apply to attend. Due to the unique programming offered in a magnet school, accessibility must be assessed when modifying or updating a magnet school.
Magnet Cluster School: A magnet cluster school is a specialized neighborhood school – it has a neighborhood attendance boundary. Magnet cluster schools also focus their curriculum on one of four subject areas: fine and performing arts, world language, technology, or International Baccalaureate Primary or Middle Years.
Gifted
Gifted schools and programs fall under the selective enrollment umbrella which seek to supplement the standard school program in order to challenge children identified as gifted and talented. These are students who consistently demonstrate superior general reasoning ability and/or potential to excel in specific academic, creative or artistic areas.
Gifted schools and programs consist of Regional Gifted Centers, Regional Gifted Centers for English Learners, Classical Schools, Academic Centers, and the International Gifted Program.
Neighborhood Gifted Programs: Comprehensive Gifted Programs and Specific Aptitude Programs are withinschool programs designed for academically advanced students. They are housed in designated magnet, cluster, and open enrollment schools. Comprehensive Gifted Programs serve students in grades 1-8 in all subjects. Specific Aptitude Programs are pull out programs in specific subject areas, for specific grade levels.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs
IB programs challenge students to excel in their studies, and encourage both personal and academic achievement.
Primary Years Program is a program in inquiry designed to meet the personal, social, and educational needs of students aged between 3 and 12 years in grades PreK-5. Facility needs include a dedicated art room, world language room, technology classroom space, science classroom with a sink, gymnasium and library.
The Middle Years Program is a program of International education designed to help students in grades 6 through 10. Facility needs include a technology classroom space, gymnasium, library and/or digital resources and a science lab with a working sink.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB) is a comprehensive and challenging pre-university program for academically motivated students in grades 11 and 12. Facility needs include access to a media center i.e: laptops, computers, printers, library and/or digital resources and a science lab with a working sink.
IB Career-related Program (CTE) is designed for students in grades 11 and 12. It incorporates the educational principles, vision and learner profile of the IB into a unique offering that specifically addresses the needs of students who wish to engage in career related education. Facility needs include access to media center i.e: laptops, computers, printers, library and/or digital resources and a science lab with working sink.
Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) model focuses on preparing students for success in college, career, and life while introducing students to STEM career pathways. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math, and is a program of study that incorporates arts education into the STEM curriculum. High school based STEM programs
- Prepare students for future employment in the fast-growing areas of computer programming, information technology, and computer networking
- Enables students to work with leading industry professionals, acquire industry certifications, and earn significant college credit
- Potentially earn associate degrees from City Colleges of Chicago along with their high school diplomas
STEM and STEAM programs are found in both elementary and high schools. These programs can be embedded throughout the school or have defined STEM, STEAM classrooms or spaces which are sometimes called makerspaces.
Fine and Performing Arts
The Fine and Performing Arts program integrates the arts into core subject areas in elementary and high school. Every student is offered training in at least two of the fine art disciplines: visual arts, music, dance, and drama. Schools that focus on the Arts are encouraged to develop flexible spaces for performing arts. Flexible performance spaces should be considered to accommodate various curriculum and instruction such as drama/ theater, dance as well as performances by having the components needed to transform to a Blackbox Theater.