CAAP Program prepares high school students for college
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a program that provides college
credit for sophomores who attend Chicago Public Schools and are interested
in art and design. PHOTO PROVIDED BY SAIC.
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a program that gives high school students college credit. The College Arts Access Program is a three-year college bridge program for Chicago Public School students.
The CAAP program started almost a decade ago. Starting in their sophomore year, students who are interested in studying art and design can take Early College Program courses at School of the Art Institute of Chicago in fall, spring and summer semesters. The courses, which are for college credit, can be applied to many colleges and universities.
Dr. Elissa Tenny is the President of School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She said the program started because it became clear to the School of the Art Institute that it needed to make deeper connections with Chicago Public Schools in order to create more of a pipeline to the school.
Chicago Public Schools works with SAIC to identify sophomores who have artistic potential and background. The program provides a scholarship and covers the cost of art materials, transportation to and from campus, as well as meals. The summer between their junior and senior year, the students in the program live in the residence hall at SAIC. It enables those students to get acclimated to college life. The students in the program are also connected to SAIC’s Wellness Center, which provides counseling, disability resources and other support necessary for the students to succeed in the program.
“Many of these students are first generation students, the first in their families to go to college, as I was, and families sometimes need support in terms of financial aid workshops … We’re working with the families as well as with the students themselves,” Tenny said.
Students receive six credit hours through the program that can be used at SAIC or other colleges and universities they might attend. This gives them a leg up when they begin college.
In the decade since the program began, 150 students have come through the program. The students come from 35 Chicago Public Schools. The very first cohort was five students, and there are typically 15 students participating in the program per year.
“We’re getting them college ready and portfolio ready. Of course, we’d love for them to come to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and some of them do. But, they go all over the country,” Tenny said, adding that some students have gone to the University of Chicago, University of Southern California, Rhode Island School of Design, Howard University, Wellesley College, Minneapolis College of Art and Design and Savannah of Art and Design.
A Michigan State University professor did a study on the CAAP Program. Some of the findings include that CAAP students learn artistic skills and creative self confidence at higher rates than other CPS students who applied but did not participate in the CAAP Program. Also, their portfolios had more technical skills and sophisticated content, as well as more of development of a personal voice. Also part of the study showed that 96% of CAAP alums went to college and 80% of them attended highly selective college and universities.
“It’s really interesting the level and depth of their experience is quite dramatic,” Tenny said. “Higher education is the great economic leveler, so it helps to close the wealth gap.”
Tenny said that because the program is fully funded by donors and foundations, it gives the students the freedom to pursue something they love. All of the financial barriers are taken down so the students can participate in something they care deeply about. The students’ emotional needs are also being taken care of, with the Wellness Center and providing services to the students and their families. It also gives the students in the program a sense of belonging.
Applications are currently open for applying freshman who will be entering their sophomore year in fall of 2024. Deadline is April 5, 2024.
For more information about the School of the Art Institute of Chicago College Art Access Program, visit https://tinyurl.com/yntjvzn4.
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