Schurz High School

Special Programs

FINANCE ACADEMY
The Schurz Academy of Finance (AOF) is a prestigious, nationally approved four-year academic program designed to prepare high school students to succeed in college and the finance career of their choice.
MUSIC ACADEMY
Schurz High School has one of the most comprehensive high school music curriculums in the State of Illinois, with a tradition of music history and instruction for over one hundred years.
GLOBAL STUDIES AND WORLD LANGUAGE ACADEMY
The Global Students and World Languages Academy will focus on preparing students for world citizenship by providing opportunities to develop the intellectual skills necessary to make global connections among all disciplines. The Academy will offer classes of rigor through an academic curricula; global issues, global science, and global cultures. Students will students a world language for four years culminating with the fourth being an AP class in the chosen language. The languages offered in the academy will be Spanish, French, Italian and eventually Mandarin Chinese.
ASE-CERTIFIED AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
Schurz is part of the Automotive Youth Educational System program which provides internships and partnerships with car dealerships, manufacturers, and post-secondary institutions. Schurz is the only High School in Chicago that offers an Ase-Certified Automotive Program. Schurz is also partnered with Truman College in this program.
SMALL LEARNING COMMUNITIES
This organizational tool is used to group students into smaller learning environments. This year, Freshmen are being grouped into four small learning communities. As a result, teachers in each of the four communities will better know the needs, interests, and aspirations of each student. They will be able to closely monitors each student’s progress, and provide support for each student to succeed.

AVID
AVID or Advancement Via Individual Determination is a nationally recognized academic support program that seeks to boost student learning and promote a college culture within the school. Beginning in 2008, Schurz High School is proud to introduce the AVID program to current freshman, the Class of 2012. The mission of AVID is to ensure that all students, especially those in the middle, succeed in a rigorous college preparatory path, increase enrollment in college, and ultimately become responsible leaders in their communities. First and foremost, an AVID student possesses a desire and determination to succeed in college.

Before a student enters the program, s/he along with a parent or guardian participates in an interview with the AVID team. Once accepted, all AVID students enroll in the AVID elective class in addition to college preparatory classes at the regular and honors levels. This AVID couse includes: Strategies for Success, College and Careers, Writing, Public Speaking, Note-Taking Practice, Test Preparation, Research, Tutorials.

If you are interested in learning more about the Schurz High School AVID program, please contact the AVID coordinator, Ms. Catherine Wrenn at (773) 534-3433, or cgwrenn@cps.edu.

JROTC
JROTC is designed to teach high school students the value of citizenship, leadership, service to the community, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment, while instilling in them self-esteem, teamwork, and self-discipline.
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Outstanding juniors and seniors have an opportunity to join NHS. Membership is based on scholarship, leadership, character and service.
VOCATIONAL / TECHNICAL PROGRAMS
Carl Schurz High School meets the requirements of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act and offers approved vocational programs, which provide students with experiences, skills and competencies needed in business and industry for entry-level positions. Auto Mechanics, Computer Science, Botany JROTC, Photography.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM
A program of college-level courses and exams for secondary school students.
(Calculus Analytical Geometry, Music Theory, English, AP Economics and AP Spanish Language).
BILINGUAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
A state-mandated program designed to provide instruction in English Language Learners(ELL) and native language instruction to limited-English-proficient (LEP) students, in content area classes. In our Bilingual Program we offer classes in Spanish and Polish in the content areas to Latino and Polish students, as well as ELL.
COLLEGE AND CAREER RESOURCE CENTER
The College and Career Resource Center houses excellent resources for information on careers, colleges and admission requirements. These resources are available throughout the year.
THE WRITE ZONE
The Write Zone is a college-style writing center. There are peer-tutors, teachers and writing resources available here.
SUMMER READING PROGRAM
Each summer aach class level is given a choice of readings. Students should select the book that appeals to them from their grade level. Each fall students will take an Accelerated Reader quiz.

It is the policy of the Board of Education of the City of Chicago not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability or sex. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the regulations promulgated thereunder concerning sex discrimination should be referred to the Title IX Officer, Chicago Public Schools, 125 South Clark, Chicago, IL, 773-553-2688 (TTY-773-553-2699).