Founded in 1857, the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the oldest school districts in the nation. It is the mission of the CPS to improve the academic performance of students attending the Chicago public schools and prepare them for graduation, future education and employment.

The CPS has produced such notables as the late poet Gwendolyn Brooks, astronaut Mae Jemison and former CNN anchor Bernard Shaw, and we continue to provide quality education to our students to produce the next generation of poets, astronauts and journalists.

In 1995, Mayor Richard M. Daley took control of the Chicago Public Schools and appointed a five-member Board of Trustees with Gery J. Chico as President and Paul G. Vallas as the school system's Chief Executive Officer. As a result of their efforts, the Board was able to reduce waste, eliminate a huge budget deficit, intervene with nonperforming schools and redeploy resources for direct use in teaching and learning. This new direction has better prepared the CPS to respond to an ever-changing society, create an atmosphere for learning and build bridges between the classroom and the community.

Responding to a changing society
The CPS recognizes that in this ever-changing society, young people need to have access to the latest technological advances, must have a global education that not only encompasses multiple languages but international business practices as well, and must attain specialized skills in areas such as science, math, technology and finance in order to succeed.

The CPS has responded to our ever-changing society by developing magnet schools and magnet programs within our neighborhood schools to provide students with specialized curriculums. These programs and schools cover a variety of areas including:

• Math, Science & Technology Academies
• Medical Career Academies
• Law & Public Safety Academies
• International Baccalaureate Programs
• Junior ROTC Academies
• International Language and Career Academies
• Fine & Performing Arts Programs
• Allied Health Programs
• Finance Academies

Creating an atmosphere for learning
Since 1996, the CPS has spent $2.6 billion on providing our students with high-quality facilities in which to learn. These efforts have resulted in 13 new schools, 29 additions to schools and 27 school annexes. Additionally, the CPS has financed 1,125 renovations, such as new roofs and windows, completed or has begun construction on 247 new play lots, completed or begun construction on 14 athletic fields and stadium renovations, and added 1,100 new classrooms. Our students now have state-of-the-art schools that provide a positive and productive atmosphere for learning.

Through a collaboration with the Chicago Park District and the Public Building Commission, the CPS has created 70 new campus parks. These parks, adjacent to many schools across the city, are designed to provide students and the community with beautifully landscaped and fully equipped parks.

Bridging the classroom with the community
An important factor in the success of any school district is the partnerships it creates with local businesses and community and civic organizations. The CPS has forged partnerships with numerous organizations, including the Museums and Public Schools program, to create a bridge between the classroom and the community. Many of these initiatives have exposed students to the ins and outs of working in the corporate sector, heightened students' understanding of the arts and music, introduced young people to the vast world of technology and educated students about the importance of giving back to the community. Our classroom to community partnerships have resulted in many exciting programs including:

• Principal For A Day during which corporate and community leaders serve as principals in elementary and high schools.
• Service Learning Program in which high school students are required to complete at least 40 hours of community service in order to graduate.
• Walk For Funds for which CPS students and staff join together with corporations and the community to raise money for the Children First Fund. The Children First Fund provides assistance to CPS students and families who are victims of tragic events, such as fires or violence.
• Time Dollar Institute, a partnership with Electronic Data Systems (EDS), which provides our students with the opportunity to earn "time dollars" towards the purchase of a rebuilt computer by tutoring other students. EDS and Time Dollar participants volunteer to rebuild existing computers.
• Walking School Bus in which parents in the community volunteer to walk young students to school across the city, particularly in high crime-areas.
• Gallery 37 at which students participate in various art and music classes led by volunteer professional artists.

The CPS is preparing its nearly 435,000 students to compete in a society that is more globally aware, more technologically advanced and more dependent on partnerships to succeed. We recognize that education goes beyond the walls of the classroom and the CPS has committed more than $$$$ to ensure that our students have this educational experience.

To learn more about the programs and services of the Chicago Public Schools, please visit our website at www.cps.k12.il.us.