Charter & Contract School
Charter schools are public schools open to all Chicago children. They are approved by the Board of Education but operate independently from the Board and from each other. Charter schools may be operated by community organizations, universities, foundations, and teachers. Each charter school has a curriculum, schedule, calendar and admissions procedures that may differ from other public schools.
The Office of Innovation and Incubation (I&I) oversees all charter school campuses. The construction of a new charter school facility or the renovation of existing facilities to support a charter school is typically the responsibility of the charter provider. When a charter school leases space from the Board of Education, CPS must provide a warm, safe and dry building that meets accessibility criteria. CPS is responsible for capital improvements for CPS owned facilities leased by charter schools. Beyond that, it is up to the charter school to finance programmatic changes to a facility when charters lease CPS facilities. Designs for renovations of CPS facilities must conform with CPS guidelines Other facilities do not have to conform with CPS guidelines, but must comply with applicable codes.
The Office of Innovation and Incubation (I&I) provides guidance and oversight of new facilities and renovations with support from the Department of Capital Planning and Construction. This oversight may consist of reviewing design and construction documents to ensure code compliance Capital will oversee the review of design documents and coordinate assessments which may be performed by a CPS pre-qualified architect. After charter schools are established, the Department of Capital Planning and Construction further supports I&I by completing facility assessments prior to charter renewals. These assessments identify life safety issues, code compliance and other building conditions concerns. Design Managers coordinate these assessments which are conducted by architects for submission to I&I and review by the charter provider.
Contract Schools are very similar to charter schools with a few distinct differences. Contract schools are viewed as CPS schools and follow the same student policies as CPS for example ( the code of conduct and graduation requirements). Contract schools must opt in to the CPS Facility & Maintenance Services and to Food Services. Similar to charter schools, if a contract school is not housed in a CPS facility, then it does not have to conform to CPS design guidelines or standards.
Options
Options Schools serve students who have been out of school and seek to return, or who may need opportunities to earn credits in an accelerated program.
The Office of Innovation and Incubation (I&I) oversees all ALOP and SAFE schools. I&I maintains contracts with non-CPS organizations that manage these programs. However, the students are still considered enrolled in CPS. New construction or renovation work associated with ALOP and SAFE facilities is coordinated by the Office of Innovation and Incubation with support from the Department of Capital Planning and Construction. Capital will review drawings for code compliance, but alignment with the design guidelines is not required.
Alternative Learning Opportunities Program
The Alternative Learning Opportunities Program (ALOP) ensures that every student has the opportunity to graduate from high school by offering personalized re-entry options to students who have become disengaged from the school system. This program typically serves students ranging from 14 to 21 years old with the majority of the student population at 18 to 21 years old.
SAFE Schools
SAFE schools allow students temporarily removed from school for behavioral violations to continue to receive credits for their studies through alternative educational placements.
Student Outreach and Re-Engagement (SOAR) Centers
Student Outreach and Re-Engagement (SOAR) Centers help students who are currently not enrolled in school, or who are enrolled but stopped attending, with support to re-enroll in school and graduate. Student Outreach and Re-Engagement (SOAR) links youth ages 15 to 21 and families with the support needed to address the fundamental issues driving lack of engagement in school. The program has four citywide SOAR offices housed in community based organizations in neighborhoods with the highest concentrations of out-of-school youth.