The Need

While Chicago’s students are making tremendous progress, great work is still needed to eliminate barriers and close equity gaps.

Nearly
7 in 10

CPS freshmen aspire to earn a 4-year college degree.

Two-
Thirds

Students require remedial courses in English, math, or both once they arrive at CCC.

Only
19%

CPS freshmen continue their education to earn a bachelor’s degree within a decade of high school graduation.

These insights led us to create the Chicago Roadmap – applying an equity and inclusion framework to support our most marginalized students.

Building Momentum

The Chicago Roadmap builds on a decade of significant gains in postsecondary readiness and access. Grounded in research and careful assessment of current needs, opportunities, and strengths, the Chicago Roadmap charts a path to economic mobility for Chicago’s students.

2006

2006
57%
CPS Graduation Rate
49%
CPS students enroll directly in 2- or 4-year program immediately after high school graduation
19%
CPS students earning four-year college degree (within six years of HS graduation)
2017
2017

Reporting from the NY Times and data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress herald CPS as the fastest-improving major school district nationwide.

2018-2019
2018-2019
$1.5M Raised
Chicago Roadmap Foundational Phase: Research and Development
  • November (2018) – Project launch
  • February (2019) – Needs Assessment and Asset Mapping Completed
  • June (2019) – Roadmap plan completed

2019

2019
76%
CPS Graduation Rate
4,000
Additional HS graduates each year from CPS high schools (compared to 2008)
49%
CPS students graduate with an Early College and Career credential
68%
CPS students enroll directly in 2- or 4-year program immediately after high school graduation
8,400+
Star Scholars earning free access to City Colleges since the program’s 2015 inception (as of fall 2019)
Jan-Jun 2019
Jan-Jun 2019
$2.4M Fundraising Goal
Phase 1: Planning & Launch
Jul 2020 - Jun 2023
Jul 2020 - Jun 2023
$25.9M Fundraising Goal
Phase 2: Implementation & Analysis
Jun 2023 -Jun 2024
Jun 2023 -Jun 2024
$7.7M Fundraising Goal
Phase 3: Evaluation, Transition, & Sustainability
2024
2024
Increase college enrollment, college completion and economic mobility

A Collective Effort

Developing the Roadmap brought an entire community into conversation, including:

52
leaders and experts across institutions and sectors throughout Chicago
32
Nonprofit and philanthropic partners
9
Focus groups, convening CPS and CCC students, parents, faculty, teachers, advisors, and counselors.

Over an 8-month period, CPS and CCC leadership developed a strategic plan, redesigning the student journey between CPS and CCC to create more equitable outcomes for Chicago’s students.

Clear Pathways Ahead

The Chicago Roadmap combines insights from our community with best practices from pioneering national research, prioritizing the student development dimensions most vital to postsecondary success:

Navigating high school, postsecondary and careers

Attaining knowledge and skills

Developing social and emotional competencies

Addressing unique needs of underserved groups

As Chicago’s public education engine, CPS and CCC are energized to achieve equity, close the racial wealth gap, motivate economic mobility and power the future of Chicago’s economy.

Explore the strategies changing the game for our students.
VIEW THE ROADMAP