The Elementary OnTrack (EOT) metric helps educators understand what supports students need. Students who are in the On-Track category (above a 3.0 GPA and above 90% attendance) in middle school are the most likely to graduate from high school and enroll in college. Students who are in the Academic Support, Attendance Support, or Intensive Support categories need targeted interventions and support to ensure they are prepared for success. For more information on the EOT categories and the research behind them, see this report.

Students in CPS are all assigned to a neighborhood high school based on their residential address, but many students choose to attend a school other than their assigned high school. CPS offers a wide variety of high school types which emphasize different educational programs. Not all high school types are available in all community areas of Chicago, so depending on where students live, they may be able to more readily access specific types of high schools. Some high schools require that students obtain certain grades or test scores in middle school in order to be considered for admission.

Students who are on-track at the end of ninth grade are nearly three times more likely to graduate from high school than students who are off-track. A student is on-track if they earn at least 6.5 total credits by the end of ninth grade, meaning they can fail no more than 1 semester course (including non-core subjects). Additionally, students who obtain a 3.0 GPA or above in high school are more likely to graduate from a four-year college within six years.

Graduating high school with a high level of academic achievement is among the most important markers along the road to college success. Students who graduate from high school with a GPA of 3.0 or above have at least a 50 percent probability of graduating from a four-year college within six years. In order to graduate from high school on time, students must obtain a minimum of 24 credits.

Students’ choice of college influences their likelihood of earning a college degree. Students who choose a college with a strong track record of graduating its students, and which fits their unique financial, geographic, and cultural needs, are more likely to earn a college degree or credential. College may not be the best path for every student, but due to data limitations, we are not currently able to track outcomes for non-college pathways (for example, military service, trade school, workforce).