CPS Magnet Program

High Schools and Programs

Magnet High Schools: Magnet high schools attract students from throughout the city and offer a curriculum centered on a specific subject area.
Selective Enrollment High Schools: SEPARATE APPLICATION REQUIRED - Contact the Selective Enrollment High School, any Chicago public elementary school, or the Office of Academic Enhancement at (773) 553-2060 for an application.

Selective Enrollment High Schools offer a rigorous curriculum in a challenging educational environment. Testing is required. Eligibility to take the entrance examination is based on the student's 7th grade standardized test scores in reading and mathematics. Students with disabilities and English Language Learners are encouraged to apply.
Math, Science and Technology Academies: The mission of the Math/Science/Technology Academies is to establish a rigorous program of mathematics, science, and technology courses that will build a solid foundation for students to achieve the highest standards of academic success while preparing for the next millennium. Features of these schools include state-of-the-art science and technology labs, opportunities for advanced placement and early involvement courses, and partnerships with local colleges and universities, where students can earn college credit.
Technology Academies: The Technology Academy program driven by one central requirement: the curriculum and related experiences must be transferable to a modern working environment. The Technology Academies will prepare high school students for occupations in the fields of Computer Operations and Programming, Information Processing/Software Applications, and Computer Repairer/Installer.
Law and Public Safety Academies: The Law and Public Safety Academies prepare high school students for careers in law, criminal justice, and corporate security. The Law and Public Safety Academy completely bypasses the old "vocational" versus "academic" tracking system. Instead, it focuses on career development in a sophisticated and rapidly changing workplace.
Medical Career Academies: Medical Career Academies offer state-of-the-art programs to prepare high school students for a wide variety of occupations in the health care field, with an emphasis on the areas of medicine, pharmacy, nursing, allied health/technology, health systems management, optometry, and dentistry. Students who meet the competitive entrance requirements benefit from a curriculum of advanced academics, summer enrichment programs, and work-based experiences sponsored by partner organizations. Entrance requirements include testing at/or above grade level on standardized tests, principal recommendation, and a C+ or better average.
Academies of Finance: The Chicago Public Schools Academy of Finance program is a nationally approved, four-year college preparatory program designed to enable Chicago Public Schools high school students to succeed in the college/university and financial career of their choice. Academies of Finance operate under the umbrella of the National Academy Foundation (NAF), which was established in 1989 to encourage the development and support of academies throughout the country. At each Academy of Finance, the student's academic curriculum is supplemented with mentoring and workplace experiences as well as exciting finance-related courses, including financial planning, banking, insurance, international finance and accounting.
JROTC Academies: The Chicago Public Schools Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Academy is a special initiative that provides unique four-year high school learning centers for students who are strongly motivated and wish to have a distinctive educational experience. Students study in a small school environment of focused learning, guided by a team of mentor teachers and military teaching partners, and receive military training as well as an education-to-careers curriculum.
Military Academies: SEPARATE APPLICATION REQUIRED - Contact the Military Academy, any Chicago public elementary school, or the Office of Academic Enhancement at (773) 553-2060 for an application.

Five schools offer full-site military academies - Bronzeville, Carver, Marine Phoenix, and Rickover. (To apply to Marine, complete the Standard Application and submit it directly to the school.)
Career Academies: Eleven high schools in the Chicago Public Schools system have been designated as career academies with intensified resources to prepare students for careers in business/finance, communications, construction, health, hospitality/food service, manufacturing, performing arts, and transportation. Students are accepted into the career academies from across the city.
International Language and Career Academies: The primary goal of the International Language and Career Academies is to help develop in students advanced proficiencies in a world language and interest/skills in international fields such as international business, hospitality-travel/tourism, culinary arts, and engineering. Students enrolled in the academies are required to complete four years of a world language and three years of a career-oriented cluster.