Excel Academy of South Shore2024-02-06T16:10:08-05:00

Excel Academy of South Shore

Excel Academy of South Shore offers an accelerated high school experience for students looking for a smaller, more personal setting, intensely focused on elevating social skills, emotional wellness, and academic success.

Our school aims to succeed by developing meaningful relationships with each student to understand their individual needs, challenges, and strengths. From there, Excel Academy of South Shore provides care, support, and counseling to address the challenges students are faced with outside of school, helping them to develop coping and problem-solving skills and guiding them on how to identify and implement solutions to help them focus on learning. When students feel safe, secure, protected, and valued, they become empowered to take charge of their education and future and can begin to fulfill their learning potential.

Excel Academy of South Shore is an accelerated school of choice for students ages 15 to 21 who are behind in their studies. Our program offers an extended day, where students can earn up to 5 credits per semester and 10 credits per year, allowing students to graduate in 2.5 years or less. There is no tuition or enrollment fee to attend. Excel Academy of South Shore is dedicated to creating a challenging, academically rigorous, and safe environment for all students.

Non-Discrimination Statement

Excel Academy South Shore logo
  • 7530 S. South Shore Drive
    Chicago, IL 60649
  • (P) 773.902.7800
  • School District Served: Chicago Public Schools
  • School Hours: 7:50 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Transit Routes  6, 71, 75 (75th Street Bus), 26 (Express), METRA Train (Exchange)
Home > Our Locations > Excel Academy of South Shore

As an accelerated school of choice for students ages 15 to 21 who are behind in their studies, Excel Academy of South Shore offers an extended day, where students can earn up to 5 credits per semester and 10 credits per year, allowing students to graduate in 2.5 years or less.

To create a challenging, academically rigorous, and safe environment for all students we utilize the Common Core State Standards curriculum and the common instructional framework. To complement the core subjects and curriculum, Excel Academy of South Shore also offers a large selection of courses and programs that emphasize life skills and everyday situations, including:

  • School-based workforce preparation and development
    • Barbering certification program
    • Nursing (CNA) certification program
    • Forklift certification
    • Additional workforce preparation programs
  • University of Chicago Medical Van
  • Free vision and dental services

Excel Academy of South Shore also provides academic services and family support programs, such as:

  • Post-secondary preparation
  • Accelerated summer school opportunities
  • Menu of social service partnerships (counseling, groups and emergency supports)
  • Menu of social-emotional learning supports
  • SAT prep
  • Restorative justice style environment
  • College and career fairs and explorations
  • Educational and incentive-based field trips
  • School calendar (CPS)

Additionally, students are invited to take advantage of our gym as well as before and after school programs:

  • Before school programming
    • Morning welcome center group
  • After school programming
    • My Block, My Hood, My City
    • Youth empowerment mentoring groups
    • Sports clubs/teams
    • Fitness group
    • Academic tutoring and enrichment

Here you’ll find some important information regarding our admissions process. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

Admissions Process:

  • Open Enrollment – Register Now
  • Contact the school to find out specific orientation dates and information, or feel free to stop by the campus to pick up student enrollment paperwork.
  • Parents/guardians should provide photo identification.
  • Students will need a copy of their most recent transcript.
  • Students must attend mandatory orientation prior to the start of school.
  • View Lottery Policy
Resources
The New South Shore: Certified Nursing Assistant & Barbering Programs
Latinx Students at Excel Academy of South Shore
After School Programs


Ashanti Brooks
Excel Academies of Chicago
2022-2023 Overall Winner


Sarahnell Bady-Jenkins
Excel Academy of South Shore
2022-2023 Campus Winner


Teandra Sweet
Excel Academy of South Shore
2022-2023 Campus Winner