The Chicago Public Schools’ class of 2019 took in the most college scholarship offers in the history of the school system, and nearly 50 percent of graduates — also a record — earned college credits and career credentials, officials announced Thursday.
The $1.47 billion in scholarship offers is $100 million-plus more than last year and nearly four times the $400 million in scholarships awarded to the 2013 graduating class — increases made under the watch of former Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
A total of 11,237 students in the class of 2019 earned early college and career credentials. That’s a two-percentage point increase over the class of 2018.
In a statement, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said both record performances “reflect the incredible commitment and dedication of teachers, principals, administrators and school staff” and “underscore the impact our investments have made in the brightest and hardest-working students in the nation.”
“By expanding access to AP [Advanced Placement] and IB [International Baccalaureate] classes, and ensuring students have the help they need to apply for colleges and scholarships, a record number of our students are graduating and heading into college prepared for success,” CPS CEO Janice Jackson said.
School administrators also recently announced that CPS’ five-year graduation rate is at an all-time high of 78.9%. Classes for CPS students resumed this week as contract talks with the Chicago Teachers Union continue.
