TRACK Application

🎓 What Is T.R.A.C.K.?

Transition Readiness and College Knowledge

A Gary Comer Youth Center Middle School High School Readiness Program launched in Fall 2024, T.R.A.C.K. is a 5-day-a-week, 3-year academic enrichment program designed to help 6th–8th-grade South Side students access selective enrollment, parochial, and private high schools.

TRACK prepares students for competitive admissions through:

  • Academic coaching
  • Humanities & S.T.E.M.
  • Test prep
  • Social-emotional learning & mentoring
  • Executive functioning skill building
  • Leadership & Sports
  • Monthly family engagement events
  • Field trips to high schools, colleges, etc…

    👥 Who Can Apply?
  • Rising 6th or 7th graders in Fall 2025
  • Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 for STRIDE
  • Must have a minimum of 3.0 GPA for PACE
  • Must identify as 1st-generation or low-income
  • Must attend 90% of program days (5x/week, 4:00–5:30 pm)
  • We are only accepting applications for 6th and 7th graders.
  • IF YOUR CHILD WILL BE IN 8TH GRADE IN SEPTEMBER 2025, YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.
  • 8th graders must matriculate through the program.HOW DO I JOIN T.R.A.C.K.?
  • In-person youth interview with/the Academic Success Team
  • In-person family (guardian/parent) interview
  • Prior school year report card (Final SY report card 24-25)
  • Parent statement of interest
  • Youth 5-paragraph essay
  • Complete membership packet
  • Attend orientation: August 27th & August 30th

    Bar chart Program Outcomes
    2024-2025 Cohort Results:
  • 19 8th-grade students
  • 5 admitted to selective enrollment high schools (King, brooks, South Shore International); 2 accepted into high-performing choice programs (ChiArts, Kenwood); 2 accepted to Mount Carmel, 1 with a full tuition scholarship from High Sight
  • TRACK participants are 16x more likely to get into their school of choice compared to other youth in Greater Grand Crossing

    📅 2025 Application Timeline
  • Open: July 1 | Close: September 30
  • Interviews: Rolling, July–September
  • Acceptance Notifications: Within 2 weeks of the interview
  • You'll find out if you have a place in the program 2 weeks after your interview date.

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📊 Program Outcomes

2024–2025 Cohort Results:

  • 19 students
  • 5 admitted to selective enrollment schools (King, Brooks, South Shore International); 2 accepted into high-performing choice programs (ChiARTS & Kenwood); 2 accepted to Mount Carmel, one of those two received a full scholarship from High Sight
  • 41% success rate vs. 3% citywide in Greater Grand Crossing