Chicago Public Schools

Office of Early Childhood Education

Tuition Based Preschool Program

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

1.     What is the tuition for 2007-2008? Tuition for the 2007-2008 school year will be $8,930 or $235 per week.

 

2.     How do I enroll my child? Applications are available for the 2007-2008 school year at each of the Tuition Based Preschool (TBP) sites. Parents should complete the application and submit along with a non-refundable tuition deposit of $235 (first week’s tuition) to the school. The school will notify parents that their child has been accepted into the program after February 1, 2007. If selected, another non-refundable deposit of $235 (last week’s tuition) will be required at that time to secure the child’s place in the program.

 

3.     How is tuition paid? Tuition is paid through the SMART Tuition Management System. Payment options include paying by check or money order; online credit and debit options are also available. At the present time, SMART charges a non-refundable processing fee of $42 for using their payment system.

 

4.     What is the program schedule? The TBP program operates five days per week, 10 hours per day from September to June following the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) calendar. Each school determines the exact hours of operation.

 

5.     Does my child have to attend for 10 hours? No; however, it is recommended that children attend the program from 9:00 A.M. to 2:45 P.M. each day to receive the full benefit of the instructional program. Hours may vary at individual schools.

 

6.     Is there a summer program? CPS does not operate summer TBP programs; however, many schools offer their own summer programs for preschoolers or collaborate with neighborhood agencies.

 

7.     What is the class size? Each TBP classroom should have an enrollment between 18-20 students with an early childhood certified teacher and two teacher assistants. The adult to child ratio is 1:10.

 

8.     What is the curriculum? Most TBP programs use the Creative Curriculum Literacy Approach which offers techniques and strategies that teachers may use to promote literacy, including reading aloud, storytelling, talking, singing, and playing with language.

 

9.     What are the enrollment requirements? Children must have had their third birthday on or before September 1, 2007, and be toilet trained when the program begins in September 2007. The TBP program is available only to residents of Chicago.

 

10.  Where can I get more information? For more information about the TBP program, please contact via e-mail Bonnie K. Roelle, Director of the Tuition Based Preschool and State Prekindergarten Programs, at broelle@cps.k12.il.us or Beatrice Colón, TBP Liaison, at bacolon@cps.k12.il.us. You may also call (773) 534-5950.