Several CPS high schools offer International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. Although the admissions process is competitive, it is less so than for Selective Enrollment High Schools. IB options vary from school to school, and CPS doesn’t provide a clear explanation in one spot. We’ve gathered details here, and we’re happy to answer additional questions to help you make the best decision for your child!
Schools around the world use the International Baccalaureate education model. It encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and independence in the interest of creating “a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.” In addition, students connect their classwork to the real world, and concepts are studied through thematic units across subjects. Students in IB programs may earn college credit.
CPS IB high schools offer one, two, or three options: Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme, Career-related Programme. Some schools, like Lincoln Park and Senn, are wall-to-wall IB high schools. This means that CPS enrolls all ninth and tenth graders in IB’s Middle Years Programme and groups students by academic level. Students wishing to earn an IB diploma at any CPS IB high school must gain admission to the Diploma Programme. Please note that students who want to enroll in Lincoln Park’s Honors/Double Honors IB program must also complete the admissions process.
Similar to the Selective Enrollment High School admissions process, CPS uses a points system for admissions to its IB high schools. Because not all schools have the same requirements, we strongly encourage you to talk with school staff to get the most accurate and up-to-date information!
Students who live within the school boundaries will be scored on a 950-point scale:
Students who live outside of the school boundaries will be scored on a 900-point scale:
Find a more detailed breakdown here and the most recent cutoff scores by school here.
*Attendance area preference does not apply to Lincoln Park High School’s Honors/Double Honors IB admissions.
Kim has a bachelor’s degree in public administration from University of Arizona, a master’s degree in special education from University of Illinois at Chicago, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from American College of Education. She previously worked as a teacher for fourteen years, and as a tutoring director for Nurturing Wisdom—we’re excited to have her back on the team! Learn more about her below.
My favorite class in high school was…geometry (although I prefer algebra) because my teacher, Mr. Warwick, was organized and explained the concepts in an engaging and understandable manner. He made me feel confident when asking questions and was always open to teaching material in a variety of ways.
I loved UIC because…it allowed me to explore Chicago and meet incredible people while working in a variety of schools and educational programs. The Graduate College of Education had teachers that provided real world context and were very supportive to students’ individual goals.
On a day off, you’ll find me…at a sporting event for one of my four daughters, floating down the DuPage River, or at the dog park with my dog, Daisy.
What sets Nurturing Wisdom apart is… the individual care we take with the families we work with and the strong team behind each tutoring decision, including tutoring plans, curriculum, and tutor matches.
Sarah graduated from Marquette University with a bachelor’s degree in education and sociology, and she’s completed coursework in childhood literacy and museum studies. After nine years as a fifth grade teacher in Wauwatosa, Portland, and Chicago, Sarah initially joined NW as a tutor. Learn more about her below!
A tip I’d give to a student to make the most of tutoring would be… that you get out of it what you put into it. If you put in time and energy, and bring a positive attitude, you’ll achieve so much!
I loved Marquette University because… it put me on the path to teaching, introduced me to amazing, life-long friends, and made me fall in love with Milwaukee.
On a day off, you’ll find me… taking a long walk to a coffee shop, chatting with friends, or going on a bike ride and cooking while listening to my latest podcast obsession.
What sets Nurturing Wisdom apart is… that everyone on the team is a life-long learner at heart, and that we care about the whole student. Everyone is dedicated to getting to know families in order to find a great fit for students and tutors.
Shannon has a degree in marketing from Creighton University. After working in the business world for over five years, she decided to go back to school to get her master’s degree in elementary education from Quincy University. Learn more about her below!
My favorite book is… The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. This is an amazing book that made me want to travel and see more of the world.
My favorite subject in school was… history because I loved learning more about the world and how the past helped shape who we are today.
On a day off you’ll find me… hanging out with family and friends. In the summer, usually doing something fun outside.
What sets Nurturing Wisdom apart is… it’s team approach to tutoring as well as it’s individualized curriculum! Both the team approach and the curriculum make tutoring and learning more fun and efficient.