Does going here mean I have to join the military?

No. CPS describes these as four-year high schools that prepare students for college and careers through leadership and co-curricular activities. There is no enlistment obligation.

Lead & ArgueCare & Cure

Service Leadership Academies

Structure, rank and responsibility — four-year academies built around leading people.

What you'd actually do

Hold real rank and lead other students, with the accountability that comes with it
Wear a uniform and run a daily structure most schools don't have
Take leadership and service coursework alongside the college-prep core
Compete in drill, academic and athletic teams

How you get in

All six require the HSAT, and selection is straight points — no GPA minimum, no interview, no essay. Attend the academy's information session too; CPS lists that as an eligibility requirement.

Admissions test

Now, later, and after

What this gets you freshman year, by the time you graduate, and after that.

Freshman year
What you'd touch first
- A structured day, a squad, and leadership training from freshman year
Junior & senior year
What you'd walk out holding
- Command positions with responsibility for other cadets
- Service hours and community projects you organized
After graduation
Where it goes
- Service academies and ROTC scholarships if you want them
- Any path that rewards someone who has actually run a team — no enlistment obligation

Where you can do it6

Selective Enrollment schools first, then ordered by graduation and college rates against the district average.

Phoenix Military HS

Near West Side

Above district(+5.8 pts)

Runs shadow days most Mondays.

School profile

Rickover Military HS

Portage Park

Above district(+5.7 pts)

School profile

Military Leadership HS

Logan Square

Above district(+5.7 pts)

Formerly Marine Leadership Academy at Ames. The only one open in grades 7-8, and 7-8 entry needs no test.

School profile

Holmes HS

Armour Square

Above district(+3 pts)

The school formerly known as Air Force Academy High School; it switched to Army JROTC in 2025.

School profile

Carver Military HS

Riverdale

Near district average(+1 pts)

Army JROTC. Four years of JROTC are a graduation requirement here.

School profile

Chicago Military HS

Douglas

Below district(-9 pts)

Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville. Army JROTC, in the historic Eighth Regiment Armory.

School profile

Questions

Does going here mean I have to join the military?: No. CPS describes these as four-year high schools that prepare students for college and careers through leadership and co-curricular activities. There is no enlistment obligation.

Where this comes from

Checked 2026-09-12. Program details change — confirm with the school before you rank it.

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Service Leadership Academies

Structure, rank and responsibility — four-year academies built around leading people.

What you'd actually do

Hold real rank and lead other students, with the accountability that comes with it
Wear a uniform and run a daily structure most schools don't have
Take leadership and service coursework alongside the college-prep core
Compete in drill, academic and athletic teams

How you get in

All six require the HSAT, and selection is straight points — no GPA minimum, no interview, no essay. Attend the academy's information session too; CPS lists that as an eligibility requirement.

Admissions test

Now, later, and after

What this gets you freshman year, by the time you graduate, and after that.

Freshman year
What you'd touch first
- A structured day, a squad, and leadership training from freshman year
Junior & senior year
What you'd walk out holding
- Command positions with responsibility for other cadets
- Service hours and community projects you organized
After graduation
Where it goes
- Service academies and ROTC scholarships if you want them
- Any path that rewards someone who has actually run a team — no enlistment obligation

Where you can do it6

Selective Enrollment schools first, then ordered by graduation and college rates against the district average.

Phoenix Military HS

Near West Side

Above district(+5.8 pts)

Runs shadow days most Mondays.

School profile

Rickover Military HS

Portage Park

Above district(+5.7 pts)

School profile

Military Leadership HS

Logan Square

Above district(+5.7 pts)

Formerly Marine Leadership Academy at Ames. The only one open in grades 7-8, and 7-8 entry needs no test.

School profile

Holmes HS

Armour Square

Above district(+3 pts)

The school formerly known as Air Force Academy High School; it switched to Army JROTC in 2025.

School profile

Carver Military HS

Riverdale

Near district average(+1 pts)

Army JROTC. Four years of JROTC are a graduation requirement here.

School profile

Chicago Military HS

Douglas

Below district(-9 pts)

Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville. Army JROTC, in the historic Eighth Regiment Armory.

School profile

Questions

Does going here mean I have to join the military?: No. CPS describes these as four-year high schools that prepare students for college and careers through leadership and co-curricular activities. There is no enlistment obligation.

Where this comes from

Checked 2026-09-12. Program details change — confirm with the school before you rank it.