Chicago Public Schools Class of 2026 Sets Graduation Record, Earns More College and Career Credentials

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CHICAGO -- Chicago Public Schools celebrated historic academic achievements for the Class of 2026 on Wednesday, highlighting a record-high graduation rate, expanded college and career credentials, and nearly $3 billion in scholarship awards during a presentation with principals from across the District at Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center High School.

The milestones reflect coordinated efforts across CPS to help students graduate with more than a diploma. Through advanced coursework, career training and college partnerships, students are earning college credits, industry certifications, recognition for proficiency in multiple languages and, in some cases, associate degrees before leaving high school. These opportunities help reduce college costs and prepare graduates for success in college and the workforce.

"We're thrilled to celebrate the hard work of our school leaders, faculty, parents and most importantly, our amazing CPS students," said CPS CEO/Superintendent Dr. Macquline King. "This is the result of a concerted effort to open new opportunities to students across the District that are changing the trajectories of their lives."

Record Graduation Rate and College and Career Milestones

CPS achieved a record-high four-year graduation rate of 83.4 percent for 2026, essentially doubling the District's graduation rate since 2001. Dozens of schools, including both selective-enrollment and neighborhood high schools, exceeded the District average.

At Ogden International School of Chicago, 97 percent of the Class of 2026 graduated - an achievement Principal Devon Herrick attributed to the work of the entire school community.

"We're on a path that is positive for students and will bear fruit," Principal Herrick said. "If you have a building where kids are engaged in meaningful learning and have an understanding of how they're growing, those are the students who will go on to post-high school success."

Principal Herrick joined school leaders from Morgan Park High School, Kenwood Academy HIgh School, Taft High School, Benito Juarez Community Academy, Back of the Yards College Prep, Solorio Academy High School and Phoenix Military Academy in recognition of their schools' academic progress and college and career readiness achievements.

Across the District, students reached several significant milestones:

• College and career credentials: A record 57.2 percent of 2026 graduates earned at least one Early College and Career Credential (ECCC), an increase of more than 10 percentage points in four years.
• College credit and degrees: Between 2024 and 2026, CPS recorded a 33 percent increase in students graduating with one or more college credits, an 86 percent increase in those graduating with at least 15 credits, and a 375 percent increase in those earning an associate degree before high school graduation.
• Advanced Placement: More than 27,000 students took more than 49,000 AP exams during the 2025-26 school year, with more than 22,000 students scoring a 3 or higher on at least one exam.
• International Baccalaureate: Approximately 6,500 students enrolled in IB courses, and more than 2,200 students scored a 4 or higher on an IB exam.
• Biliteracy: The Class of 2026 earned more than 3,600 State Seals of Biliteracy, recognizing proficiency in English and one or more of 47 other languages.
• Scholarships: The Class of 2026 has earned $2.97 billion in scholarship awards to date, with additional awards still being tallied.

Expanded Opportunities, Lasting Impact

The impact of these pathways extends beyond graduation, as illustrated by alumni pursuing college degrees and careers across a range of fields.

The impact of these expanded academic pathways is reflected in individual student achievements across the District, including the following alums:

• Salvador Zamora, a 2025 graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School, earned a Google Cybersecurity Certification through his Career and Technical Education information technology class, leading to an internship in the Microsoft Circuit Program. He also secured a full scholarship as a Camras Scholar to study Computer and Cybersecurity Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
• Gedeon Mawutodji, a 2025 graduate of Kenwood Academy High School, explored multiple careers through his AP courses. Mawutodji leveraged AP coursework in psychology to enter the University of Illinois Chicago and is studying to become a therapist.
• Kathy Saldana, a 2026 graduate of Steinmetz College Prep, worked with an academic coach to earn the Seal of Biliteracy and explored career interests through AP art and English courses. Saldana is studying psychology at Dominican University and plans to pursue a career combining psychology, theater, and creative writing.
• Laila Mendez, a 2020 graduate of Frederick Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center, completed dual credit precalculus and pre-engineering courses to earn an associate degree from Wright College while still in high school. She went on to earn a bachelor's in mechanical engineering and master's in engineering management at Illinois Tech. She now works as an engineer at Turner Engineering Corp., supporting the CTA Red Line expansion.

Building a Path From Middle School to Postsecondary Success

CPS also reported a college enrollment rate of 70.7 percent and a college persistence rate of 78.3 percent, both exceeding national averages. These outcomes reflect sustained investments in advising, the CPS Direct Admission Initiative and alumni support reaching more than 25,000 recent graduates.

College and career planning begins in middle school, where students work with counselors to develop and update plans for high school and life after graduation. The District's approach connects those plans with expanded access to middle school algebra, advanced coursework, career training and industry credentials.

Throughout high school, students can pursue AP courses, IB Diploma programming, and dual credit and dual enrollment opportunities with local colleges. Counselors also help students navigate college, scholarship and financial aid applications.

The Chicago Roadmap partnership, now called Chicago Roadmap 2.0, brings together CPS, City Colleges of Chicago and the University of Illinois Chicago to strengthen pathways to higher education, including access to free college-level courses.

District leaders Wednesday thanked partners in City government, higher education, business, philanthropy and community organizations for helping students prepare for and succeed beyond high school.

Challenging Students and Supporting Their Success
At host Von Steuben, Principal Jennifer Sutton attributed gains across several measures to multiple consistent strategies that all begin with challenging students - and then supporting them to success.

"It's understanding that the only way they will be prepared for college is if they challenge themselves in high school," said Principal Sutton. "An easy `A' is not going to prepare them for college, skirting by is not going to prepare them for college. You have to challenge yourself and get involved with opportunities; leadership roles in a club, extracurricular activities and more."

At Von Steuben and schools across the city, student academic support includes school leaders, counselors, teachers, parent volunteers, as well as students themselves supporting each other as mentors and tutors throughout the year. In the spring, Von Steuben students and teachers will gather for the second consecutive year in the school library for afternoon "AP Lounge" sessions, combining exam preparation with peer support and plenty of snacks. At Kenwood Academy High School, senior ambassadors provide mid-day 1:1 or 2:1 tutoring for freshmen, creating positive role models and building a supportive culture where students help each other succeed.

The high school data accomplishments highlighted Wednesday align with the District's five year, strategic plan, Success 2029: Together We Rise, which focuses on equitable learning experiences, supportive school conditions, and strong community partnerships.