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Programs and Services

The Office of College and Career Preparation (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.

Counseling

Looking for Counseling?

How can I make the best decisions?
How do I plan for my future?
Who can help me get to college?
How do I pay for college?
Your counselor has the answers!

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AVID

AVID - Advancement via Individual Determination

Go to college!
Is this a familiar statement you hear in your home at school, and in your community? Is your response, "But how?"
AVID, which means "eager for knowledge," is a 6th through 12th Grade Four-Year College Readiness system just for you.

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Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Career and Technical Education (CTE) gives high school students, like you, the chance to get a head start on preparing for college and careers. As a CTE student you have the opportunity to participate in hands-on training and gain real world experience through job shadows and internships.

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College and Career Awareness

Thinking about your next steps (college, career or both) is a smart move for all high school students, and we have a number of programs available to help you get started. The programs listed in this category include activities that will help you to identify colleges and careers that may be a good fit for you, provide guidance on college selection and application processes, offer opportunities to visit college campuses and/or job sites, or simply learn from others’ experiences in various colleges or careers.

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After School and Summer Programs

At CPS, opportunities to learn and improve your skills are not limited to class time. Programs in this section are held after the regular school day or school year, and include activities where you can gain career experience and certifications, exercise your artistic talents, advance your academic skills, complete make-up work, or prepare for a transition to the next grade.

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High School Exploration

As you prepare for the move from elementary to high school, use the programs in this section to find out more about your new environment and how to succeed in it. Many things will remain the same, but you will also encounter new people, places and expectations. Some experiences will be fun, like making new friends or going to school dances. There will also be increased responsibility to make good decisions, keep track of your grades and academic progress, and manage your time wisely. It may be a challenge to learn how to deal with these new situations, but you don't have to do it alone.

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Credit Recovery

There are a number of reasons why you may find yourself “off-track” with less credits or more absences than you should have at any given point in your high school career. The good thing is that with the programs and supports listed in this section, there are a number of ways to recover. Take advantage of these programs to gain credits in a variety of settings and at flexible hours that best fit your needs and schedule, and get back on-track for graduation and/or earning your high school diploma.

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Alphabetical Listing of Programs