CICS Ellison opened in August, 2006 with 150 students in grade nine only.  Today, the school operates at its capacity of nearly 600 students enrolled in grades 9-12. CICS Ellison is dedicated to providing high quality, college preparatory instruction with an emphasis on rigor, relevance and the forging of strong relationships. 

Our school is distinguished by its commitment to sustaining a robust community of learners, where educators work closely with students to support academic, social and personal development.  In August of 2008, Ralph Ellison moved into its permanent home, a $20 million state-of-the-art facility located at 1817 W. 80th Street, in the heart of Chicago’s South Side.
 

CICS Ralph Ellison Campus is a school of choice. Families who choose our school are expected to uphold the mission, values and policies espoused by CICS. Families must agree to adhere to all rules and regulations designed to promote a productive learning environment. Please click here to download an application. 

Charter schools are public schools operated by independent organizations. CICS Ellison is operated by Civitas Schools. Civitas is a Latin word meaning "citizenship." While charter schools enjoy the opportunity to create their own academic program and policies, they are strictly accountable to both the Chicago Public Schools and the Illinois State Board of Education.

Who we serve

CICS Ralph Ellison campus draws students from a variety of public and private elementary schools.  Our student body is 98% African American, and 2% Hispanic; approximately 90% of our students qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch program and nearly 20% receive special education services.