Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Commemoration Essay Competition

The DuSable essay is only open to CPS students in 3rd and 5th grades. A school may submit up to three (3) entries. Three (3) citywide winners will be selected, in each grade: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place. There is a 300-word maximum at the third (3rd) grade level, 400-word maximum for the fourth (4th) grade level and a 500-word maximum for the fifth (5th) grade level.

Scholarship Awards: Previous awards have included U.S. Savings Bonds, Smart Tablets (e.g., Kindle Fires), annual memberships to the Bronzeville Children’s Museum and the Chicago History Museum.

Submission Guidelines:

Who: Chicago Public School Students in 3rd and 5th grades
What: If DuSable lived today, what do you think he would do to make everyone feel like they belong to the community of Chicago?
When: Submit completed application via e-mail to CollegeScholarships@cps.edu no later than Friday, March 1, 2024

Application Process:
Submit scanned completed hard-copy application via e-mail:

Visit the Chicago Public Schools Academic Works Scholarship Tool/Site to download the application Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Commemoration Essay Competition (click on the blue text for a shortcut link to the application.)
Complete the application – type responses (obtaining all necessary electronic signatures.)
Adult should review and ensure the application is completed, then submit the completed application.

Send a scanned copy of the completed application to CPS Scholarship Manager via email at:
CollegeScholarships@cps.edu. (Note: Please ensure documents are saved in PDF format.)

Deadline is Friday, March 1, 2024 5pm CST.

Any documents submitted after 5pm will not be considered.

Prizes awarded to 1st Place, 2nd Place, and 3rd Place Citywide winners.

All six citywide winners will participate in a Chicago Celebration program.

Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Commemoration Essay Competition

Cash Awards :
1st Place $100 2nd Place $50 3rd Place $25

Application Submission:
1. Online: Students can complete the application online through Academic Works or
2. Online: Students can download a copy of this application, complete it and then upload a scanned copy into CPS Academic Works.
3 . E-mail: Students can download a copy of this application, type and complete it by the deadline and send it via email to collegescholarships@cps.edu.

Click Here for application Hard copy of application:_

How to access CPS Academic Works?:

1. Click “Sign In” and login with your CPS Login ID (username) and CPS ID# (password)*

2. Complete the CPS Academic Works General Application (student or parent must complete all required sections)

3. Once you complete the General Scholarship Application, you can then begin applying for the Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Essay Competition.

4. You have the option of saving incomplete work when you start a scholarship. You must complete the applications by 11:59 p.m. on the deadline. The system will lock you out of the application at midnight.

5. Sign Out of Academic Works

6. Sign off of the computer. You must complete steps 5 & 6 after each Academic Works session.

Note: No faxed copies will be accepted (no fax number is provided). This opportunity is ONLY open to 3rd and 5th grade students.