Student Voice Committees (SVCs) are school-based student leadership teams designed to forge student-adult partnerships in school improvement. Our goal is to ensure every school has a Student Voice Committee that is part of decision-making structures by 2025.

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SVAF is a CPS youth leadership group with a mission to inform, shape, and strengthen the district’s commitment to building strong student-adult partnerships in decision making in all schools and across all district systems. SVAF has varied roles in the district: they train teachers, administrators, and central office staff in building meaningful youth-adult partnerships; they lead conferences and workshops for other students on youth leadership and advocacy in their schools and communities; and advise central office departments on strategic decisions. This High School leadership group is a capstone of our Student Voice Committee (SVC) program. Student leaders that are part of their school’s SVC apply to be a Student Voice and Activism Fellow.

MEET SVAF MEMBERS

Contact Agustin Flores, SVAF Coordinator, at aflores431@cps.edu to get involved!

SAC is composed of twenty student leaders from across the city of Chicago who are passionate about education and committed to improving Chicago Public Schools. In partnership with Mikva Challenge, this council works directly with Dr. Janice Jackson to identify, research, and recommend policy solutions that will impact students district-wide.  SAC spends their year, summer through spring, conducting research on factors important to students that impact their education in CPS, working with various CPS district leaders to develop action plans and policies that will have lasting change for all students.

Contact Emma Kornfeld-Knapp, Civic Engagement Manager, at ekornfeld@cps.edu to get involved!

An Honorary Student Board Member is selected annually to represent the CPS student body by attending the Chicago Board of Education’s monthly meetings. This individual is also an appointed member of the CPS Student Advisory Council.

Applications become available during the spring. Check back then for more details!

FLIP is a free leadership development program for high school students to explore the field of urban planning and learn about the issues that shape our region and communities.  Sessions will be held on Fridays, from July 22 to August 12, at CMAP's office in the Old Post Office. Apply online by Monday, June 20.  

Are you concerned about having better parks? How about housing in your community? Have you ever wondered about the transportation system and its impact on communities? Do you wish someone would do something to make life better for you, your family, or your community? If so, apply to be a part of the Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) summer series!

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is looking for 40 high school students from Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties who want to learn about urban planning and our region and share ideas about how to make northeastern Illinois a better place to live, go to school, work, and play.

ApplyHERE

The SLD program WINTER/SPRING Sessions engages students in a variety of age-appropriate activities that inspire them to build leadership skills, explore their roles as citizens, and develop a deeper awareness and understanding of the Holocaust, genocide, and other human rights issues. Participating students will develop and carry out an action plan to address a social justice issue in their school, community, or the wider world.

• 5th - 11th grade sessions
• Has to be nominated by your teacher
  • Deadlines to nominate are Feb. 1st for 7th/8th graders and Feb. 15th for 5th/6th graders
• Virtual (on zoom) or onsite at the Museum are available for sessions

African-American artists and STEM professionals share their career with students through hands-on activities and meaningful conversations. Each 30-minute session is an exciting opportunity for students to hear personal stories from a scientist, artist or engineer who looks like them and dive deeper into the possibility of pursuing a pathway into STEM or the arts.

• More Info here!
• Capacity is 35 students. This program is best for students in grades 4 through 8. There is no additional charge for these sessions, but they must be reserved.
• Please email  Dulce Enriquez at dulce.enriquez@msichicago.org or call (773) 753-1766 to learn more about booking Jr. Science or Art Café sessions

Are you interested in the fields of business, finance, economics, or entrepreneurship? The Junior Economic Club of Chicago (JEC) is a selective student-run organization whose members have access to exclusive networking events, internships, workshops, scholarships, volunteer opportunities, private tours, job shadows, and more. Members have the chance to meet and network with Chicago's leading business executives, entrepreneurs, professors, and professionals. JEC currently represents over 30 Chicago schools and is looking to expand its student body to Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors especially, though Seniors are also welcome!

You can learn more about JEC at www.jecchicago.org. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to email board@junioreconomicclub.org.

After School Matters offers more than 26,000 program opportunities to more than 18,000 unique teens across Chicago every year.

Programs are offered in four primary content areas: Arts, Communications & Leadership, Sports, and STEM!

Learn more and apply HERE!

Calling ALL Chicago Youth Organizers between the ages 15-24. Summer Internship! Come join us for this yearly summer program at Healthy Hood Chicago all while earning money and making a difference in our community. APPLY HERE. Or contact Karen Padilla karexp96@gmail.com for more information

Check out the full list of scholarships offered to CPS students compiled by the CPS Scholarship Team CollegeScholarships@cps.edu

Deadline: 08/20/2022

Must be between 18-24, Illinois resident currently enrolled or in the process of enrolling in college, job training, trade, certificate, or credentialing program. Open to all DREAMers. See HERE for more details.

Deadline: 05/31/2022
Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin is proud to announce the 2022 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Essay Contest. This scholarship recognizes two (2) seniors in high school who have displayed outstanding academic achievement or community involvement and writes a thoughtful and impactful essay (600 – 1,200 words) on a topic related to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Participating students must also provide a description of their college plans. The first place winner will receive a $1,500 award, and the second place winner will receive a $1,000 award, respectively.

Eligibility Qualifications:

• CPS senior (class of 2022)
• Must be a Chicago resident
• NO GPA REQUIREMENT
• Plan to enroll in an accredited two or four-year institution of higher education or educational institution in the fall of 2022
• Strong community service/civic engagement suggested (students should be able to prove their required service learning hours as reflected on their transcript)

Required Documentation:

1. College or university acceptance letter (provide a copy of your application if not yet accepted)
2. List other scholarships you have applied for
3. Essay Question (600 – 1,200 words max): “Tell us about an Asian American leader in the Finance or Investments industry who has paved the way or is paving the way for future leaders. How has this person made an impact in your community?”

Open to DREAMers

See more HERE