New Partnership Expands Career Opportunities for CPS Students at Chicago Military Academy
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students are about to gain exciting new opportunities for career development, thanks to a groundbreaking partnership with ComEd and City Colleges of Chicago’s Dawson Technical Institute. This collaboration aims to strengthen the Early College STEM (ECSTEM) program at Chicago Military Academy (CMA), providing students with advanced educational pathways, career-readiness skills, and direct exposure to industries that are shaping the future, such as the energy sector.
With a generous investment of $100,000 and additional career and educational support, the ComEd workforce development program will expand CMA’s existing STEM offerings. The program, aptly named “Ignite Your Future,” promises to deliver innovative programs that give high school students a head start in pursuing post-secondary education and careers in high-demand fields.
A Vision for a Brighter Future for Chicago’s Youth
“Chicago’s young people deserve every opportunity possible for a bright future. That is why our mission as a District is to pair a well-rounded, high-quality education with career readiness and network building,” said Pedro Martinez, CEO of CPS. “We are grateful for this partnership, which adds to our growing efforts to make sure our students have as many pathways as possible to a promising career after graduation.”
This partnership focuses on ensuring that students gain not only a high school diploma but also the skills and certifications necessary to excel in today’s competitive workforce. By connecting education with industry, it aims to prepare students for fulfilling careers in cutting-edge fields such as energy and engineering.
“Ignite Your Future”: Fast-Tracking Students to Industry-Relevant Degrees
As part of the new collaboration, CMA students will have the opportunity to fast-track their pursuit of an Associate degree from City Colleges of Chicago. Two key programs are being introduced:
- Associate in Applied Science Degree in Construction Management – Launching in Fall 2025 at Dawson Technical Institute, a branch of Kennedy-King College.
- Associate of Applied Science in Construction Engineering and Management – Set to launch in Spring 2026.
These programs are designed to give students hands-on experience and industry-ready skills, equipping them for high-demand careers in construction and engineering.
This initiative complements CPS’ ongoing partnership with City Colleges of Chicago through the Chicago Roadmap, which works to provide a seamless pathway from high school to higher education and careers in fields that drive the city’s economy.
Building Pathways to Success in STEM
“The Early College STEM program is about creating pathways to success, igniting futures, and empowering students to shape the world and their career trajectory in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” said Chancellor Juan Salgado of City Colleges of Chicago. “By partnering with Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago, ComEd is investing in education and the future success of our great city and state.”
The program aims to expand the educational horizons for CPS students by providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in STEM fields. The focus is on creating accessible, career-focused education that aligns with the needs of today’s industries and the future workforce.
A Shared Commitment to Future-Focused Careers
The collaboration between ComEd, CPS, and City Colleges of Chicago was initially inspired by ComEd CEO Gil Quiniones’ support of the P-TECH school model, which has been successful in New York. This model laid the foundation for CPS’ Early College STEM programs, focusing on preparing students for real-world careers through a combination of high school education, college coursework, and work-based learning experiences.
“Engineering and technical service careers will play a critical role in building a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, so ComEd is partnering with Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago to give more young people exposure to these promising career paths,” said Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of ComEd. “As leaders in the energy transformation, we feel a responsibility to support tomorrow’s leaders by enriching their education and giving them an opportunity to pursue a deeply rewarding career.”
Preparing Students for the Energy Revolution
This partnership is especially timely given the growing demand for workers in the energy sector. According to ComEd, by 2050, Illinois is expected to need an additional 150,000 workers to support the energy transformation. These positions will be vital in modernizing the state’s energy grid and creating a cleaner, more sustainable future. Through this program, ComEd is helping to cultivate a highly skilled workforce that will be ready to meet these challenges head-on.
As part of its involvement, ComEd will provide students with comprehensive support, including its $100,000 investment in the program, industry-integrated curriculum, and opportunities for work-based learning. Students will engage in career mentorship, site visits, panel discussions, and project-based learning that will enrich their educational experience and provide valuable insight into the energy sector.
CMA: A Launchpad for STEM Education
Chicago Military Academy is uniquely positioned to serve as the flagship school for this initiative. The school’s established Early College STEM program and its existing pathways in IT, engineering, and 3D modeling make it an ideal location for launching the expanded offerings. CMA’s leadership and faculty are well-equipped to integrate the new programs, ensuring that students receive the support and guidance they need to succeed in their academic and career pursuits.
CMA’s role in this initiative further highlights CPS’ commitment to providing students with opportunities to engage with real-world industries and acquire the skills necessary to succeed in high-demand fields.
The ECSTEM Model: Bridging Education and Industry
CPS’ Early College STEM (ECSTEM) high schools provide open-enrollment opportunities for students who are least likely to attend college, enabling them to earn a high school diploma, early college credit, and even an associate degree. These schools connect students to post-secondary education and work experiences that prepare them for careers in technology and other in-demand fields.
One exemplary model of this approach is CPS’ Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy, which partners with IBM and Richard J. Daley College to give students access to industry professionals, certifications, and substantial college credit. Programs like these help create a pipeline for future leaders in technology and engineering.
A Long-Standing Commitment to Workforce Development
This new collaboration builds on ComEd’s long history of supporting CPS initiatives, including Chicago BUILDs, Skilled Trades fairs, and Driver’s Education EV programs. By concentrating resources at CMA, the partnership strengthens CPS’ strategic goal of providing students with robust, career-focused learning opportunities that prepare them for the future of work.
Together, ComEd, CPS, and City Colleges of Chicago are working to empower students with the tools, knowledge, and mentorship they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world. With the expansion of the Early College STEM program, they are opening doors to a brighter future for young people in Chicago.
About Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is dedicated to providing a high-quality education to all students, beginning with the District’s free full-day preschool programming for four-year-old scholars and continuing through neighborhood, magnet and selective-enrollment elementary schools that provide a rigorous K-8 education with schools that specialize in the fine arts, world language and culture, dual language, STEM, International Baccalaureate (IB), classical programs, and more. The rising District-wide freshmen-on-track and high school graduation rates reflect the hard work of the CPS community, including families, staff, and students across 635 schools. CPS celebrates the diversity of its more than 322,000 students who cite 182 home languages. Learn more about CPS at www.cps.edu and connect with CPS on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About ComEd
ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 200 energy company serving more than 10.7 million electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
About City Colleges of Chicago
City Colleges of Chicago is the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity—empowering all Chicagoans to take part in building a stronger and more just city.
