High Jump Chicago Application for Cohort 39 (2027)

Create your Account!

Please select your language.

BEFORE YOU START: Create an account before moving forward.

Enter your information below. Do not use a CPS email address.
Click “Save and Resume” in the top-right corner of the form.
Enter an email address and password you can remember, then click “Save.” Do not use a CPS email address.
Click “Resume this form now,” re-enter your email and password, and continue with your application.

Important: Each time you return to your application and make edits, you must click “Save progress and resume later” and re-enter your email and password.

Student Contact Information

Student First Name	Student Middle Name
Student Last Name	Student Suffix
Student Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)	Student Personal Email - NOT CPS email (If student does not have an email, please use primary guardian's)
Mobile Phone (If student does not have a phone, please use primary guardian's)	What is your student's gender identity?
Student Race	Is the applicant currently in the 6th grade? Important: After completing the student section, create your account using the steps above if you haven’t already.

Attention!

Our program is designed for students who are currently in 6th grade. Based on the grade level you selected, your student is not eligible to apply during this application cycle. We appreciate your interest in High Jump!

High Jump • 820 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60607 • apply@highjumpchicago.org

Thank you for your interest in applying to High Jimp

Our program is designed for students who are currently in 6th grade. Based on the grade level you selected, your student is not eligible to apply during this application cycle.

We appreciate your interest in High Jump and encourage you to explore other educational enrichment opportunities available to your student.

For more information about High Jump and our eligibility requirements, please visit www.highjumpchicago.org.

Thank you for considering High Jump!

Welcome to High Jump’s Application Portal!

We’re excited to review your application for Cohort 39! Please keep these important dates and reminders in mind.

Priority Deadline: Monday, December 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM

The first 75 eligible applicants to submit by the priority deadline will receive a guaranteed interview!

Final Deadline: Tuesday, January 19, 2027, at 11:59 PM

Before You Begin:

A legal guardian must complete the application.
Review the information below carefully before beginning.
Confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements and know the deadlines.

Applying early is encouraged!

Eligibility Criteria:

***A Note on Financial Eligibility

Our program typically looks at families with a household income of $71,000 or below. However, families with higher income are welcome to apply by providing additional context regarding their financial situation. We use the Illinois Board of Education's Free and Reduced Lunch Eligibility guidelines to help assess financial need. You can find ISBE's eligibility chart linked here.

Confidentiality Statement High Jump holds all personal information and records as confidential. We will not disclose student, parent, or any stakeholder information without written consent.

Application Details

This application must be completed by a legal guardian for the student. I attest that I am a legal guardian for this student

Yes, I am a legal guardian

I give permission to High Jump to call and text me updates regarding my application. I understand that if I do not answer "yes", I may miss important updates and reminders.

YesNo

Commitment: High Jump requires a strong 2-year commitment with an expectation that students will attend programming in the summer for approximately 5 weeks and about 18 Saturday sessions during the school year. Programming begins the summer after 6th grade is completed (June 2024) and students graduate from the program in May of their 8th grade year. Students are expected to attend all sessions and are only allowed 3 unexcused absences per year. Are you and your child able to make this level of commitment?

Transportation: High Jump does not provide transportation. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to ensure their child can attend every High Jump session. Regardless of any transportation options, parents or guardians remain solely responsible for getting their child to and from all High Jump programming. Are you able to make this commitment?

Continued Student Details

What name does the student prefer to be called?

What are your student's preferred pronouns?

High Jump’s curriculum and instruction are delivered in English. I am confident my child can participate in the program and engage with the materials provided.

Yes, I understand.

Is this applicant a first-generation college student? (Neither parent has graduated from a four college?)

YesNo

Student's Primary Address

What is the primary Mailing and Home address for your High Jump student's household?

Street Address + Unit Number

City

State

Zip Code

How many people live in the primary residence?

Current School Details

Does the student attend a Chicago Public School

YesNoNot Sure

Current School Name

If you do not see your school listed above, please find and select "Other" at the very bottom.

CPS Email

CPS ID (8 Digit)

Format Example: 00000000

If you picked "Other", please enter your school name here

If your child requires any classroom accommodations, please describe below. (e.g. IEP, 504)

Relationship with High Jump

How did you hear about High Jump?

Is anyone else in your family applying for the High Jump program?

What is the other applicant's name?

What is the other applicant's relationship to this applicant?

Is anyone in your family currently in the High Jump Program or an alumni of the High Jump Program?

What is the other student's name?

What is the other student's relationship to this applicant?

Did someone recommend you to apply to High Jump?

YesNo

If yes, who recommended you? Include full name and email below. Ex: Charlie Brown, cbrown@gmail.com

Hidden Fields

Applicant

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Guardian Contact Information

Please Note: This form must be completed by the student’s primary guardian. The email address provided in the primary guardian section will receive all future application updates so please make sure it is correct.

Primary Guardian

Primary Guardian First Name

Primary Guardian Last Name

Suffix

Relationship to Student

Mobile Phone Number

Work Phone Number

Home Phone Number

Preferred Phone Number

Personal Email Address

Work Email Address

Preferred Email

PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EMAIL YOU PROVIDED IS ACTIVE AND CORRECT.

Does the student reside with this guardian?

Which part of Chicago does the student live at most of the time?

Highest level of education of Primary Guardian

Marital Status

Check the box below if your university or college degree was obtained outside the USA

Yes

Is there a 2nd Legal Guardian?

Secondary Guardian

Secondary Guardian First Name

Secondary Guardian Last Name

Suffix

Relationship to Student

Mobile Phone Number

Work Phone Number

Home Phone Number

Preferred Phone Number

Personal Email Address

Work Email Address

PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EMAIL YOU PROVIDED IS ACTIVE AND CORRECT.

Preferred Email

Does the student reside with this guardian?

Highest level of education

Marital Status

Check the box below if your university or college degree was obtained outside the USA

Yes

Does this second legal guardian live at a different address than the student?

YesNo

Secondary Guardian Mailing Address

Please provide address information if it is different from the student's primary address.

Street Address + Unit Number

City

State

Zip Code

Academics

PLEASE NOTE: PROGRESS REPORTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED

Student Grade Information

Student's 5th Grade Report Card	Student's 6th Grade Report Card
6th Grade Q1 English/ELA Grade	6th Grade Q1 Math Grade
6th Grade Q1 Science Grade 6th Grade Q1 Writing Grade (optional)	6th Grade Q1 Social Studies Grade

Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) Scores (optional)

Test scores are optional. Sharing them helps us learn more about your academic experience, but not sharing them won’t affect your application.

ELA

Math

IAR Score Uploads

Teacher Recommendations

IMPORTANT

Let your teacher know you’re applying and confirm their email address is correct. Your teachers will receive a link to complete a recommendation form (not a letter) after you submit your application.

Teacher Recommendation Deadline: Friday, February 12, 2027

6th Grade Math Teacher Recommendation

Teacher First Name

Teacher Last Name

Teacher School Email Address

Teacher School Phone Number

6th Grade ELA/English Teacher Recommendation

Teacher First Name

Teacher Last Name

Teacher School Email Address

Teacher School Phone Number

Additional Current School Teacher/Faculty Recommendation

First Name

Last Name

Subject

Teacher School Email Address

Teacher School Phone Number

Student Essay Directions

Essay Prompt: What makes you a strong candidate for High Jump and why?

High Jump students are curious, keep trying when things get hard and want to learn and grow. Tell us 3 qualities you have that would make you a good fit for High Jump. Share examples from your life that show these qualities, such as a time you faced a challenge, learned something new, or worked toward a goal.

Need help? Check out this essay guide linked here!

Before you write

Write the essay by yourself.
❌Help from family, teachers or AI tools (like ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini) is not allowed and could disqualify your application.
Write it in Google Docs or Microsoft Word so you can edit and save it.
Essays must be submitted in English. If that is a challenge, email us at apply@highjumpchicago.org and we will help.

Before you upload

Write 3 to 4 paragraphs (at least 250 words).
Read it one last time to check spelling and make sure it makes sense.
Save it as a PDF, JPG, or PNG, then upload it below.

What we look for

Answer Focus: Essay is clear, specific, and authentic to the writer
Supporting Details: Essay is supported with appropriate and specific details
Word Choice: Applicant uses strong vocabulary and sentences flow
HJ Voice: Student expresses desired High Jump traits in examples: growth mindset, perseverance, and a love of learning
Conventions: Essay is 3-4 paragraphs in length (at least 250 words), strong paragraph structure and convention use

Student Provided Essay

Essay #1: Upload essay file here

🚨 Please read before submitting! 🚨

We recommend you SAVE your application first before submitting using the option provided at the top of this page. Do NOT use a CPS email as it will not be delivered.

Once your application is submitted, it cannot be edited. Please submit your application only once you have completed all the sections.

Note: once you click the 'Submit' button, it may take several seconds to finish processing. Please wait for the confirmation page to appear. You will also receive an email confirmation if your application has been successfully received.

Loss of Job	Recent separation/divorce	Change in family living status	Change in work status
Bankruptcy	Home foreclosure	College expenses	Income reduction
Illness or injury	Death in the family	Shared custody	high debt
Child support	Medical/Dental expenses	Tuition (elementary or high school)	Refugee / Asylum Seeker in US
Other