Indulge Your Love of Learning
Spring 2026 PROMISE Program
Leading Students 2 Success (LS2S), 7th and 8th Grades
Application to the 7th & 8th grade (Spring 26′) program is now available. Deadline to apply is January 9, 2026.
The PROMISE – Leading Students 2 Success (LS2S) Program is designed for Illinois students currently enrolled in 7th or 8th grade (varies by location). This enrichment program runs for eight Saturday sessions each spring, typically from February through May. Participants engage in a variety of hands-on classes in mathematics, science, computer science, and beyond, all designed to strengthen or reinforce skills, exposure to various disciplines, and personal development.
Participation in this program requires an application, and students invited to join are expected to commit to attending all scheduled sessions. Admission is competitive.
This year, we are excited to offer the PROMISE–LS2S experience at four locations across Illinois. One application serves all sites, and students may indicate their preferred location within the form.
Please note: Available grade levels differ by site. Not all locations offer both 7th and 8th grade sessions. Details are provided below.
Location: Aurora, IMSA Main Campus
1500 Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60503
Grades Served: 7th & 8th Grade
Program Time: 9:00AM – 1:00PM
Session Dates:
- February 7 (Family Orientation)
- February 21
- February 28
- March 7
- March 14
- March 21
- March 28
- April 18
Location: Dominican University, Chicago Campus
1805 S. Paulina Street, Chicago, IL 60608
Grades Served: 7th Grade Only
Program Time: 9:00AM – 12:00PM
Session Dates:
- February 7
- February 21
- March 7
- March 21 (Virtual)
- April 4
- April 18
- May 2
- May 16 (Virtual)
Location: Carbondale Hub @ SIUC, Pulliam Hall
475 Clocktower Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901
Grades Served: 7th Grade Only
Program Time: 9:00AM – 12:00PM
Session Dates:
- February 28
- March 21
- March 28
- April 4
- April 18
- April 25
- May 2
- May 16
Location: Metro East Hub @ SIUE, Southwestern IL Justice & Workforce Development Center, Belleville
2300 W Main St, Belleville, IL 62226
Grades Served: 7th Grade Only
Program Time: 9:00AM – 12:00PM
Session Dates:
- February 28
- March 7
- March 14
- March 21
- March 28
- April 11
- April 18
- April 25
Eligibility
IMSA's PROMISE Programs aim to address the challenges of culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse (CLED) students. PROMISE is a proven model of success for realizing the vision of a highly diverse and creative STEM workforce. This grant-funded program for Spring 2026 is open to all Illinois students currently enrolled in the 7th & 8th grade (2025-26 school year), especially Black or African American students, Latinx students, students who qualify for the national free or reduced-price meal program, and students from rural Illinois counties.
Program Dates + Details
Please note: Available grade levels differ by site. Not all locations offer both 7th and 8th grade sessions. Details are provided below.
Location: Aurora, IMSA Main Campus
1500 Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60503
Grades Served: 7th & 8th Grade
Program Time: 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Session Dates:
- February 7 (Family Orientation)
- February 21
- February 28
- March 7
- March 14
- March 21
- March 28
- April 18
Location: Dominican University, Chicago Campus
1805 S. Paulina Street, Chicago, IL 60608
Grades Served: 7th Grade Only
Program Time: 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Session Dates:
- February 7
- February 21
- March 7
- March 21 (Virtual)
- April 4
- April 18
- May 2
- May 16 (Virtual)
Location: Carbondale Hub @ SIUC, Pulliam Hall
475 Clocktower Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901
Grades Served: 7th Grade Only
Program Time: 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Session Dates:
- February 28
- March 21
- March 28
- April 4
- April 18
- April 25
- May 2
- May 16
Location: Metro East Hub @ SIUE, Southwestern IL Justice & Workforce Development Center, Belleville
2300 W Main St, Belleville, IL 62226
Grades Served: 7th Grade Only
Program Time: 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Session Dates:
- February 28
- March 7
- March 14
- March 21
- March 28
- April 11
- April 18
- April 25
Application Materials
Our PROMISE Program application opens at various points in the year depending on grade level. The Spring 2026 PROMISE Program application deadline is January 9, 2026.
The application will consist of the following items:
- Complete the online application
- Student Essay
- Parent Statement
- Teacher Evaluation Form from a previous Math or Science teacher (optional)
- School Counselor Form
- This form will include the request for the following grade reports:
- 7th Grade Applicants: 2024-2025 Grade Report
- 8th Grade Applicants: 2023-204 & 2024-2025 Grade Report
- This form will include the request for the following grade reports:
Students enrolled in homeschool programs will need to provide additional documentation explaining the curriculum, evaluation process, and texts used. The teacher evaluation must be completed by a non-family member who know the student’s work well.
All application materials are due by the listed deadline: January 9, 2026
Teacher Evaluation
School Administrator Form + Grade Reports
Once you have started your online application, you will reach a section dedicated to form requests. A link to the evaluation form will be found there. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide this link directly to your teacher of choice.
The School Counselor Form can be sent to an academic school counselor (top choice), prinicipal, assistant principal, registrar, or similar school administrator who has access to student records. We recommend notifying your administrator before sending a form request, so they are prepared to complete the form. The form will be completed electronically and submissions come directly to the PROMISE team.
The form will request general information about the school the applicant attends, general academic information, and will include the request for grade reports.
Application Timeline
Spring 2026 PROMISE - LS2S Program:
November 24, 2025: Application Opens
January 9, 2025: Final date to submit application
January 30, 2026: Decisions are released via email
Program start dates vary by location
Fees
There is no cost to apply for the spring 2026 PROMISE - LS2S Program.
Additionally, students who are invited to participate are not charged a fee to officially register.
Summer 2026 PROMISE Program
Summer Enrichment in Academics in Mathematics and Science (SEAMS), Rising 9th Graders
Location: Aurora, IMSA Campus
Application for the summer 2026 program will open March 2026 – check back soon for more details!
The PROMISE – Summer Program, also known as Summer Enrichment in Academics in Mathematics and Science (SEAMS), is designed for students between their 8th and 9th grade years. Illinois students currently enrolled in the 8th grade are eligible to apply. This immersive academic week-long residential experience takes place on IMSA’s campus in Aurora, IL.
Fall 2026 PROMISE Program
Early Involvement Program (EIP), 9th Grade
Location: Aurora, IMSA Campus
Applications are currently closed – next cycle of applications will be Fall 2026.
The PROMISE – Early Involvement Program (EIP) Program is designed for Illinois students enrolled in the 9th grades. This program runs for approximately 8 sessions on Saturday mornings each fall, typically September through December. Students attend various classes in mathematics, science, computer science, and more. Program sessions take place at IMSA’s campus i
