Partner Spotlight

Joy and Jade Lee, sisters and two young entrepreneurs from CICS Prairie, turned their lemonade stand success into something even bigger—a book, Lemons with Love. Their inspiring journey, recently featured on ABC7 Chicago, began as a way to raise money for WNBA tickets, but it quickly became a lesson in perseverance and entrepreneurship. Their book, Lemons with Love, encourages other kids to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals. 

This winter, Chicago International Charter School (CICS) hosted State Representatives Jaime M. Andrade, Jr. (40th District), Will Guzzardi (39th District), and Michael Kelly (15th District), and Chicago Board of Education Member Jennifer Custer (District 1B) at CICS Irving Park, CICS Bucktown, and CICS Northtown Academy, respectively.   

In December, CICS Longwood’s first cohort of scholars completed an on-campus phlebotomy certificate program, which taught them the techniques, procedures, and safety precautions of drawing blood for diagnostic testing. 

Operation Santa at CICS Basil transformed the season of giving into a season of impact, earning a heartwarming feature on ABC7 Chicago.

We are proud to announce that CICS Northtown Academy has been ranked as the #10 best high school in Illinois according to Niche and recognized as one of the top high schools in Chicago by Chicago Reader!

Picture a dynamic hub where diverse groups of educators and school leaders converge to exchange insights, celebrate victories, and tackle challenges head-on – all within a dedicated space for data analysis and collaboration. Spearheaded by our Schools Team at Chicago International Charter School (CICS), we're excited to introduce our latest initiative: the Quarterly Collective Response to Data Meetings. These sessions are designed to harness the collective expertise of our network, empowering us to monitor progress, scrutinize systems, and ultimately enhance outcomes for the students and families under our care.

Amidst the buzz of enrollment season, we're thrilled to highlight ReGeneration Schools, a member of the CICS portfolio that was featured as the #1 “gap-busting school” in Illinois in last year’s groundbreaking National Charter School Study by CREDO at Stanford University. As families consider their educational options, let's delve into the transformative power of schools like CICS Avalon, CICS Basil, and CICS Washington Park, all operated by our partner, ReGeneration Schools.

Step into a world where diversity isn't just a statistic but a lived reality, where inclusion isn't just a buzzword but a guiding principle. Within the vibrant tapestry of the CICS charter network, 94% of our students are young people of color, with 63% identifying as Black. These numbers aren't just figures on a page; they're a testament to our commitment to reflect and empower the communities we serve.

Dr. Lewis, a beacon of change within our network and the visionary principal at CICS Wrightwood, has recently received his Ph.D. for his groundbreaking dissertation, "Understanding Preparation Programs For Black Male School Leaders and Their Effectiveness." This pursuit isn't just a scholarly accolade; it has provided a roadmap to empowerment. Undertaking this exploration has been a profound journey for Dr. Lewis, driven by personal conviction and a deep commitment to fostering positive change within our educational systems. With a tenure at CICS Wrightwood spanning from 2013 to his recent return, Dr. Lewis is not only breaking barriers but also reshaping the education landscape.

Let's TACO' bout our amazing teachers and staff! Teacher Appreciation Week is one of our favorite times of the school year because we get a chance to show how much we appreciate what they do for our organization. In lieu of recent news, we thought it was highly important to share the joy from that day because they deserve it and we need a friendly reminder that our unsung heroes do a lot for their students and will do anything to protect them at all costs. Teachers have to be more than a teacher at any given moment. They are our frontline workers for CICS, our students, and our families.

Accenture is a global management consulting and professional services firm that provides strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations services. Partnering with CICS for 10 years, Accenture supports a mentoring program that provides CICS students with exposure to career fields and guides them to make informed decisions about college after high school graduation and their career going forward. As part of the program, an Accenture employee is paired with a CICS Student for the duration of the school year.