Middle School Programs at The Chicago Academy for the Arts
The Chicago Academy for the Arts, 1010 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60642
About
Middle School Programs at The Chicago Academy for the Arts offers weekend art classes, seasonal workshops, camps, and summer intensives in music, theatre, dance, and visual arts. Middle school students can take part in activities such as producing an EP in the Music Program and preparing an audition-ready monologue in the Theatre/Musical Theatre Program.
• Ages: 9–14 years old
• Schedule: Saturday spring sessions in 2026 and weekday summer camp sessions in June 2026
• Price: Summer Camp Session 1 cost: $995; Summer Camp Session 2 cost: $550; Saturday Classes Spring Session 1 cost: $250; Saturday Classes Spring Session 2 cost: $250; The Saturday Program is $475 for both sessions or $250 for one session; The Summer Program is $995.
Summer Camp Session 1 runs June 8–18, 2026, on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Summer Camp Session 2 runs June 22–26, 2026, on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday Classes Spring Session 1 runs March 7–March 28, 2026, on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and Saturday Classes Spring Session 2 runs April 11–May 2, 2026, on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Middle School Programs include a Saturday Program for students currently in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade regardless of age, and a Summer Program for students heading into 7th, 8th, or 9th grade regardless of age.
Students study with working professional faculty who are leaders in their fields, including performers from the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, dancers from The Joffrey Ballet, and award-winning filmmakers. The leadership team for these programs includes Sarah Grant, Director of Middle School Programs and Theatre faculty, along with department chairs and administrators such as Dr. Melinda Zacher Ronayne, Head of School, and Rachel Brown, Chair of the Music Department. The Chicago Academy for the Arts has been independent since its inception in 1981 and states that application of technique is at the heart of each department’s curriculum, with community and project collaboration as key parts of The Academy Method.
The Academy notes that middle school offerings include weekend and summer art classes for young artists, with hands-on training that offers a real-world understanding of the arts and opportunities for students to start building their artistic networks earlier than other young artists, with many leaving with lifelong friends. The Academy does not offer scholarships for the Middle School Programs but does offer seasonal discounts, and families can follow on Instagram or Facebook to see seasonal discounts; the registration fee can be paid in installments by emailing Program Coordinator Sarah Grant. The Chicago Academy for the Arts has been designated a National School of Distinction by the John F. Kennedy Center, is listed as the #1 arts high school in Illinois by Niche in 2026, and is listed as the #8 most diverse private school in the Chicagoland area by Niche in 2026. The website for The Chicago Academy for the Arts is partially funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
Last updated April 18, 2026.
• Ages: 9–14 years old
• Schedule: Saturday spring sessions in 2026 and weekday summer camp sessions in June 2026
• Price: Summer Camp Session 1 cost: $995; Summer Camp Session 2 cost: $550; Saturday Classes Spring Session 1 cost: $250; Saturday Classes Spring Session 2 cost: $250; The Saturday Program is $475 for both sessions or $250 for one session; The Summer Program is $995.
Summer Camp Session 1 runs June 8–18, 2026, on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Summer Camp Session 2 runs June 22–26, 2026, on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday Classes Spring Session 1 runs March 7–March 28, 2026, on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and Saturday Classes Spring Session 2 runs April 11–May 2, 2026, on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Middle School Programs include a Saturday Program for students currently in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade regardless of age, and a Summer Program for students heading into 7th, 8th, or 9th grade regardless of age.
Students study with working professional faculty who are leaders in their fields, including performers from the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, dancers from The Joffrey Ballet, and award-winning filmmakers. The leadership team for these programs includes Sarah Grant, Director of Middle School Programs and Theatre faculty, along with department chairs and administrators such as Dr. Melinda Zacher Ronayne, Head of School, and Rachel Brown, Chair of the Music Department. The Chicago Academy for the Arts has been independent since its inception in 1981 and states that application of technique is at the heart of each department’s curriculum, with community and project collaboration as key parts of The Academy Method.
The Academy notes that middle school offerings include weekend and summer art classes for young artists, with hands-on training that offers a real-world understanding of the arts and opportunities for students to start building their artistic networks earlier than other young artists, with many leaving with lifelong friends. The Academy does not offer scholarships for the Middle School Programs but does offer seasonal discounts, and families can follow on Instagram or Facebook to see seasonal discounts; the registration fee can be paid in installments by emailing Program Coordinator Sarah Grant. The Chicago Academy for the Arts has been designated a National School of Distinction by the John F. Kennedy Center, is listed as the #1 arts high school in Illinois by Niche in 2026, and is listed as the #8 most diverse private school in the Chicagoland area by Niche in 2026. The website for The Chicago Academy for the Arts is partially funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
Last updated April 18, 2026.
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