About Us

Chooseyourfuture.org was developed to provide students with the resources they need to plan a successful path to graduation and post-high school success. It is the web site for the Office of College and Career Preparation at Chicago Public Schools.

Chicago Public Schools created the Office of College and Career Preparation (OCCP) in recognition of the growing need to prepare students to be successful after high school. OCCP is mounting an unparalleled effort to successfully transition more of our high school students into postsecondary education and employment. We are enhancing the infrastructure and personnel in our high schools while increasing partnerships with external organizations and engaging parents and communities to provide the supports and experiences our students need to attain postsecondary credentials and enter meaningful careers.

OCCP coordinates academic programming, such as AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) and CTE (Career & Technical Education), as well as school-based staff with a focus on college and career preparation, such as secondary counselors, college and career coaches and specialists. Together, OCCP’s resources work to strengthen college preparation curricula and guidance supports in all Chicago high schools. In addition, we partner with local and national colleges and universities to create an array of college experiences and resources for students. We also collaborate with industry partners to provide work-based learning and prepare students for career exploration experiences.

OCCP’s work was founded on four essential principles: awareness, readiness, access, and success. We believe that with the proper supports, every student has the ability to choose their future!