Chicago HS for the Arts: Top Charter High School in Chicago (2026 List)

About Chicago HS for the Arts

Chicago High School for the Arts is a premier public contract school for grades 9-12 in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the top schools in the district with an enrollment of about 600 students and a supportive student-to-teacher ratio of about 13:1. It is known as a premier school because it has a dual-curriculum approach, balancing rigorous academics with conservatories in dance, music, theatre and visual arts. Academic excellence shines through with a 62% Advanced Placement (AP) participation rate. The student body is culturally diverse with an 81% minority enrollment. Chicago High School for the Arts is among the top performing schools academically with 13% of students proficient in Mathematics and 36% of students proficient in Reading. Students also participate in the SAT to prepare for higher education. The school has considerable resources for its economically disadvantaged students with funding estimated at $17,500 per pupil. Ultimately, the school is recognized as one of the best schools for developing artist-scholars in a professional and creative atmosphere, and it is one of the best high schools in Illinois.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 13%

Reading 36%

State average proficiency is 13% in Math and 36% in Reading.

35

Full-time Teachers

17 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

608

Total Students

$66456

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 18.91%

Asian 1.81%

Hispanic 40.62%

Black 35.69%

Two+ Races 1.97%

Native Am. 0.49%

White

18.91%

Asian

1.81%

Hispanic

40.62%

Black

35.69%

Two+ Races

1.97%

Native Am.

0.49%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 608

75.33%

458 Female

24.34%

148 Male

Student Population

608 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 17 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

304 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Chicago HS for the Arts Contact Information

Address

2714 W Augusta Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60622

View on Map

Phone

(773) 534-9710

Call Now

Website

http://chiarts.org

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 8:15 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

Chicago High School for the Arts opened its 16th season of production with conservatory collaborations, including a Creative Writing and Dance showcase in which dancers become writers and writers become movers. Music students presented "Tribute to Black Music: The Evolution of the Spiritual" showcasing the contributions of African Americans to world music from its origins to the present. Visual Arts seniors opened their Senior Showcase Exhibition in two galleries just outside campus, creating ChiArts’ first-ever artwalk for the community. The school continues to offer tuition-free, pre-professional training in Creative Writing, Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts.

FAQ

Q1. Are college entrance exams conducted here?

Ans. Students can take the SAT and ACT tests on-site or through programs that work together.

Q2. What does Chicago HS for the Arts do to make the learning environment better?

Ans. Respect, working together, and being responsible make sure that the school culture is safe, welcoming, and open to everyone.

Q3. Is there room for personal growth?

Ans. Yes, mentoring, enrichment activities, and learning through projects help students do better in school and in life.

Q4. What kind of school experience do students get at Chicago HS for the Arts?

Ans. Chicago HS for the Arts has a full curriculum that includes academics, extracurricular activities, and chances for personal growth.

Q5. Do they use traditional periods or block scheduling at Chicago HS for the Arts?

Ans. Chicago HS for the Arts has a traditional schedule with the same class rotations every day.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

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What Parents Say