Each High School offers different course equivalents for Early College/AP/IB/JROTC as well as other unique course offerings. To see how all courses in CPS’ High School Course Catalog align to the graduation requirements, please visit: High School Course Catalog.
ECC (Early College Courses)
Early College Programs allow high school students to complete free college coursework and earn college credit before high school graduation. Currently, all course mapping to CPS graduation requirements is done with CCC courses only.
Dual Enrollment: CPS offers qualified students the opportunity to attend courses through the City Colleges of Chicago and other four-year institutions with early college postsecondary programs to earn college credit at no cost. Students' eligibility for Dual Enrollment (including Jumpstart Pathways) is not contingent upon their high school participation. Participating in the Dual Enrollment program strengthens students' college applications, demonstrates college readiness, and reduces the amount of time and money students will spend on college. Students who take Dual Enrollment courses outside of the school day may receive high school credit provided the principal approves the class in advance and counselor consultation.
Dual Credit: Participating CPS high schools offer qualified students the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses at their high school at no cost.
Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment: courses can meet general education requirements in various subjects, pathways toward career technical education (CTE) certifications, and/or associate degrees.
AP (Advanced Placement)
The AP program offers high school students opportunities to pursue college-level studies and earn college credit and advanced placement while still in high school when they achieve qualifying scores of 3 or above on AP exams.
The AP Program consists of 38 different college freshman-level courses in five different subject areas in addition to interdisciplinary courses, such as Seminar, Research, and African American Studies.
Students who take both Seminar and Research during high school qualify for the AP Seminar & Research Certificate. Students who take four AP courses over their high school years in addition to receiving the AP Seminar & Research certificate qualify for the AP Capstone Diploma.
The amount of credit awarded varies by college and university and can also vary by subject area. All public postsecondary institutions in Illinois including all City Colleges of Chicago award college credit for passing scores on AP exams.
IB (International Baccalaureate)
Students can enroll in IB as IB Diploma Program, IB Career-related, or IB Course students in their last two years of high school. IB Courses offer students an opportunity to earn college credit on IB exams when they have earned a score of 4 or higher.
The IB Diploma Program consists of 57 different college-level courses in six subject areas as well as the completion of the core elements (Theory of Knowledge), Extended Essay, and CAS) to the completion of the program. The IB Career-related Program pairs IB courses with a career pathway and core elements related to ethics and skill development in the professional setting.
Students who complete the full IB Diploma Program or the IB Career-related Program may also qualify to earn additional credits and scholarships from various universities and colleges worldwide.
The amount of credit awarded varies by college and university and can also vary by subject area. All public postsecondary institutions in Illinois including all City Colleges of Chicago award college credit for passing scores on IB exams.