What is Excellence College Prep?
Excellence College Prep is a proposed tuition-free public charter high school in University Park, Illinois, designed to serve students in grades 9–12 throughout the Crete-Monee 201-U community.
When will Excellence College Prep open?
Our goal is to open in Fall 2029, beginning with an inaugural class of ninth-grade students and expanding one grade level each year.
Is Excellence College Prep currently open?
No. Excellence College Prep is currently in the planning and community engagement phase.
Is Excellence College Prep tuition-free?
Yes. Excellence College Prep is proposed as a tuition-free public charter high school.
Will Excellence College Prep raise my taxes?
No. ECPHS will not require a new local tax or tax increase for families in the community. As a proposed public charter school, Excellence would be tuition-free and funded through applicable public education funding sources rather than through the creation of a new local property tax levy.
Families would not pay tuition to attend Excellence, and the establishment of the school does not require residents to approve a new tax referendum.
Who will be eligible to attend?
Excellence College Prep intends to serve students in grades 9–12 from throughout the Crete-Monee 201-U community and surrounding areas, subject to applicable state laws and enrollment procedures.
What makes Excellence College Prep different?
Excellence College Prep is built around five core commitments:
• College Access for All
• Arts as Identity
• Technology as Foundation
• Beauty as Standard
• Excellence as Equity
Students will benefit from rigorous academics, fine arts, sports, technology education, leadership development, and personalized support.
Will transportation be available?
Yes. Excellence College Prep intends to provide transportation for students. Additional details regarding routes and eligibility will be shared as planning progresses.
Why is Excellence College Prep being proposed?
Excellence College Prep seeks to provide families with an additional high-quality educational option focused on college readiness, fine arts, technology, leadership development, and student success.
Is Excellence College Prep intended to replace the local high school?
No. Excellence College Prep is not being proposed to replace the local high school. Our goal is to provide families with an additional educational option.
What are the admission requirements?
Excellence College Prep is intended to be a tuition-free public charter high school that is open to all eligible students residing within the boundaries of Crete-Monee School District 201-U. Admission will not be based on test scores, grades, GPA, auditions, interviews, or prior academic performance.
How will students be admitted?
If applications exceed available seats, students will be selected through a public lottery process in accordance with Illinois law. Additional information regarding enrollment procedures will be shared as the school development process continues.
How will students be admitted if more students apply than there are available seats?
If the number of applicants exceeds the number of available seats, students will be selected through a public lottery process in accordance with Illinois law. Additional information regarding enrollment procedures will be shared as the authorization process progresses.
Are charter schools private schools?
No. Charter schools are public schools that operate independently under a performance contract, or charter, with an authorized public entity. Like traditional public schools, charter schools are tuition-free, open to all eligible students, and publicly funded. They are held accountable for meeting academic, financial, and operational performance standards established in their charter agreement.
Charter schools have greater flexibility to design innovative educational programs, but in return they are subject to rigorous oversight and may have their charter revoked if they fail to meet established performance expectations.
Can students from outside Crete-Monee 201-U attend?
At opening, Excellence College Prep intends to primarily serve students residing within the boundaries of Crete-Monee School District 201-U. Additional enrollment information will be provided as the authorization process progresses.
Will Excellence College Prep serve English Learners?
Yes. Excellence College Prep will welcome and support English Learners. The school intends to provide language development services and academic supports designed to help multilingual learners achieve academic success while developing English proficiency.
How will STEM be incorporated into the Excellence College Prep experience?
STEM—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—will be integrated throughout the Excellence experience. In addition to dedicated coursework and learning opportunities, students will encounter STEM concepts across the curriculum through problem-solving, technology integration, interdisciplinary projects, research, and real-world applications. Our goal is for students to develop the analytical, technological, and critical-thinking skills necessary to thrive in college, careers, and an increasingly technology-driven world.
Will Excellence College Prep serve students with disabilities?
Yes. Excellence College Prep is committed to serving students with disabilities and will provide special education services in accordance with federal and state law. We believe every student deserves access to a high-quality educational experience and the supports necessary to succeed.
Is Excellence College Prep a performing arts school?
Excellence will have a strong commitment to the arts, but it is not exclusively a performing arts school. The arts are one important part of a broader college-preparatory model centered on academic excellence, STEM, technology, leadership, student development, and preparation for postsecondary success.
Students will have meaningful opportunities to explore music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and other creative disciplines, but attending Excellence does not mean that every student must be a public performer. We envision a school where the scholar, scientist, engineer, entrepreneur, artist, and future leader can all find opportunities to discover and develop their strengths.
Will students be required to audition for the arts program?
No. Excellence College Prep is designed to provide arts opportunities for all students. Prior experience in music, theater, dance, or visual arts will not be required for admission.
Will students be able to participate in athletics and extracurricular activities?
Yes. Excellence College Prep intends to offer extracurricular activities and athletic opportunities as the school grows.
Will students have access to dual credit or dual enrollment opportunities?
Excellence College Prep intends to develop partnerships with colleges and universities to provide students with opportunities to earn college credit while in high school.
How large will the school be?
Excellence College Prep is designed as a small high school with a target enrollment of approximately 500 students when fully enrolled.
What would ECPHS mean for students who attend the local high school?
Excellence is being developed to expand educational opportunities for families—not to diminish the opportunities available to other students. The local high school would remain an important public high school serving the community, while Excellence would provide families with an additional public-school option built around a smaller, focused, academically centered and college-preparatory environment.
Excellence is designed to grow gradually, beginning with a single incoming class and adding students in phases over four years. This approach creates a predictable transition and provides time for the local school system to plan and adjust as enrollment patterns develop.
Ultimately, families have different educational needs and preferences. Excellence seeks to add another high-quality option to the community so that more students can find an environment in which they can thrive and prepare for life beyond high school.
Who can support the initiative?
Parents, students, educators, community members, businesses, faith-based organizations, and civic leaders are all welcome to support the effort.
Has Excellence College Prep been approved?
Not yet. Excellence College Prep is currently in the planning and community engagement phase and must complete all applicable authorization requirements before opening.
How can I support Excellence College Prep?
You can support Excellence College Prep by:
• Completing the community survey
• Becoming an Excellence Impact Fellow
• Sharing information with others
• Connecting us with community organizations and partners
• Staying engaged throughout the planning process
How can I stay informed?
Visit our website regularly, complete the interest form, and follow our updates as we continue building support for Excellence College Prep.
I have additional questions. How can I contact you?
You can contact us by emailing Info@excellencecollegeprep.org or connecting with us on social media.