Embedded Files
Enrichment opportunities are high impact experiences that let you explore interests outside of class in real world situations. In addition to connecting you with your community and learning more about your interests, colleges value students who have sought out experiences beyond their daily classroom.
We're lucky to live in Chicago where there is an abundance of free (or paid) opportunities! There's no one right way to get involved. Colleges don't value volunteering over an internship at a hospital. Find something that is true to you and stick with it.
Research programs early on. Most summer programs have application deadlines in January or February.
New Opportunities Posted Here Often! *click to expand*
New Opportunities Posted Here Often! *click to expand*
Minds Matter: Youth Mental Health & Leadership Program - due October 9
Minds Matter: Youth Mental Health & Leadership Program - due October 9
Led by Dr. Tara Gill, Psychologist on the MWD team, Minds Matter is a 6-week virtual program designed to help high school students explore career pathways in mental health while building leadership skills, developing mental health literacy, and learning how they can make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Students interested in psychology, psychiatry, counseling, social work, behavioral health, and other mental health-related careers are especially encouraged to learn more about this opportunity.
Through Minds Matter, students will have opportunities to:
Explore mental health careers including psychology, psychiatry, counseling, social work, and more
Participate in the H.E.A.L. (Health and Emotional Awareness) Lab to explore ways to de-stress, tackle challenges, and understand how real-world issues shape mental health
Develop mental health literacy and learn how to support themselves and others
Hear directly from mental health professionals through our Speakers Bureau
Participate in Ambassador Training to become a trusted resource for mental health in their communities
Build leadership skills while exploring pathways into the mental health field
Program Requirements
Students interested in Minds Matter must:
Have a minimum unweighted GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
Commit to participating in the entire 6-week program
Have reliable Wi-Fi and a device to participate in virtual Zoom sessions
Be a high school student from Chicago Public Schools, a public charter school, or the Noble Charter Network
2026 Program Dates
Virtual sessions: Wednesdays & Thursdays, 5:00–6:30 p.m.
Program Start: Wednesday, October 14th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., virtually
Program End: Thursday, November 19th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., with an in-person End-of-Program Celebration at Lurie Children’s
Future Founders: Be your own Boss - due September 25
Future Founders: Be your own Boss - due September 25
Learn how to create and pitch your own business idea all while getting paid as a Be Your Own Boss Intern with Future Founders! Over four weeks, you’ll get a crash course in entrepreneurship and work with awesome teens from across the city to build a business of your own. The Fall 2026 cohort of Be Your Own Boss is supported by Ford Philanthropy.
The October Cohort will meet from Monday October 12, 2026- Thursday, October 29, 2026. Programming will take place after school from 5:00-7:15 PM CT on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday.
There will be 1 in person day: Monday October 12, 2026 10 AM - 3 PM (CPS Day off). Lunch will be included
Accepted applicants will be paid up to $250 for their participation in the internship and have the opportunity to win an extra $150 at the end-of-program pitch competition.
Key information and eligibility can be found below:
Participants must be public school or charter school students currently in 9, 10, 11, or 12 grade.
Meet every additional Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5:00-7:15 pm CT virtually on Zoom
In-person programming will take place at Future Founders’ office in the Loop. (1 N Dearborn)
Must be your first Be Your Own Boss Program (past participants are ineligible)
Bonus $150 for each team member on the winning team for the end of program pitch competition)
More information can be seen on the attached flyer.
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 AT 11:59PM CT.
Free Photography Class & earn a camera at the end - due September 19
Free Photography Class & earn a camera at the end - due September 19
FreshLens Chicago: Free Photography Program for High School Youth 📸 is looking for students this fall
🎓 Tuition-free 8-week course (TENTATIVE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS SEPTEMBER 19)
📅 Meets twice weekly: Saturdays 9:00 AM–1:00 PM + one weekday 4:30–6:30 PM
📷 Borrow a professional-quality camera during the course
🎁 Opportunity to earn a free camera to keep (with ≤2 absences)
🖼️ Final showcase to exhibit and sell their work
💻 Continued access to editing and printing lab rooms
Apply here: https://freshlenschicago.org/program
Future Engineers, Architects or Construction professionals, here's your chance to get some experience
Future Engineers, Architects or Construction professionals, here's your chance to get some experience
The ACE Mentor Program is currently taking applications for their FREE after school programs. They connect students to professionals in the field, provide work based learning, have the opportunity for summer internships and have college scholarships for seniors who successfully complete the program.
PRISM pre-medical program with Northwestern and Pederson-McCormick Boys and Girls Club
PRISM pre-medical program with Northwestern and Pederson-McCormick Boys and Girls Club
Pedersen-McCormick Boys & Girls Club is offering a free after-school program for teens aged 14-18.
Some of the opportunities available through the program include:
PRISM Medical Program with North Western University
Open gym and Social Recreation time: Teen space with video games, foosball, and pool table
Free Weekly Swim Lessons
Scholarship Opportunities
Leadership Programs: Keystone Clubs provide leadership development opportunities for young people ages 14 to 18. Youth participate in activities in three focus areas: academic success, career preparation and community service
Service-Learning
Youth Employment
Check the flyer for more details as well as how to contact them and sign up.
Senn Clubs & Athletics
Senn offers a wide variety of clubs and athletics. From book club to knitting club, badminton to cartoon club, there's something for everyone!
You can usually join clubs throughout the year. Sports run in fall, winter, and spring seasons. They generally start recruiting a month or so before the season starts.
External Programs
Looking for something beyond Senn? Check out our list of external programs. There are both local and residential programs. Some are free, some charge a fee, and some will pay YOU.
From FreshLens Photography to the National Black Accoutnant Program at Univ of Ill - Urbana Champaign, Senn students have access to high quality experiences in a range of fields.
A master list of opportunities is compiled here. The specific deadlines may be out of date, so always double check on the website!
Google Classroom
Each grade level has a Class of 202X google classroom page. This is where counselors post the counseling curriculum, college application resources, and updates about any opportunities!
Many students have had luck scrolling the google classroom to look for new opportunities. Don't think you're in the Google Classroom for your grade level? Message Ms. Rochelle to add you at jcrochelle@cps.edu
SchooLinks
The district maintains an ongoing list of opportunities on SchooLinks. They can include opportunities outside of Illinois, so make sure to use the filter function when searching!
To search opportunities on SchooLinks, go to "Engage" on the left hand side, and then "Opportunity Board"
To learn more about an opportunity, click the blue arrow in the top right of the listing to go to the webpage. You can also click the heart to favorite opportunities and return to them later.
Opportunity Expo
Opportunity Expo
Every winter, the Opportunity Expo is a chance for sophomores and juniors to learn about a variety of external programs accepting applications for the summer. A guide to the fair is provided in advance so students can narrow in on programs that they'd like to speak with.
After attending the expo, the next important step is actually applying to a program!! Counselors are happy to help with applications to enrichment programs.
After School Matters
After School Matters
One of the most popular enrichment programs is After School Matters. It offers paid apprenticeships and internships in art, STEM, sports, and communications. Programs run during the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms across the city. Eligible students receive a one time stipend upon completion of the program.
Applications open seasonally on the After School Matters website. Apply early, because popular locations can fill up fast!
Page updated
Report abuse