We want to share some important information in partnership with Chicago Public Schools about the requirements for volunteers at our school.

There are two levels of volunteers: Level 1 and Level 2.

• Level 1 Volunteers: (DO need to be fingerprinted.) Parents who volunteer for 10 or more hours a week in their child's classroom, or people who volunteer for 5 or more hours a week in a school where they don't have a child enrolled DO need to be fingerprinted. This also includes those who chaperone overnight trips, coach, tutor one-on-one, or help with other important roles.

  • Complete this form

  • AIM Fingerprinting Form

• Level 2 Volunteers:  (Do NOT need to be fingerprinted.) Parents who volunteer for less than 10 hours a week in their child's classroom or people who volunteer for less than 5 hours a week in a school where they don't have a child do NOT need to be fingerprinted. Level II volunteers can also be those who help for just one day, like speaking to a class, assisting with an event, or going on a field trip.

  • All Level 2 volunteers are required to complete the CPS volunteer application prior to volunteering on campus.

Level 1:  A fingerprint criminal background check IS REQUIRED.

1. A parent providing volunteer service in their child’s school or classroom for 10 or more hours/week

2. An individual providing volunteer service for 5 or more hours/week at a school where s/he does not have a child enrolled

3. Any individual chaperoning an overnight school-sponsored trip, regardless of the hours/week that the volunteer serves

4. Any individual serving in a coaching capacity, regardless of the hours/week that the volunteer serves (See also the CPS High School Athletic Association Bylaws)

5. Any individual serving as a student teacher or pre-service teacher, regardless of the hours/week that the volunteer serves (See also the Student Teacher and Pre-Service Teacher Enrollment Policy)

6. Any individual serving as a One-on-One tutor or mentor, regardless of the hours/week that the volunteer serves

7. Any individual providing volunteer service with students when such service may occur in an unsupervised setting, regardless of the hours/week that the volunteer serves

8. Any individual providing volunteer service for a program where the program’s funding agency requires criminal record clearance, regardless of the hours/week that the volunteer serves.

Level 2: A fingerprint criminal background check is NOT required.

1. A parent providing supervised volunteer service in their child’s school or classroom for less than 10 hours/week

2. Any individual providing volunteer service for less than 5 hours/week at a school where s/he does not have a child enrolled

3. An individual providing incidental volunteer service with no ongoing individualized interaction with a student(s) including those who speak at a class/assembly, judge academic competitions, give musical performance, participate in the “Principal for a Day” program, job shadowing event or other one-time event provided where there is direct supervision of the activity/event by regular school employees

4. A parent accompanying his/her child’s class on a one-day field trip or another type of extracurricular activity that does not involve an overnight stay

5. An individual providing volunteer service on projects/activities involving no or nominal contact with children (home-based volunteer activities, volunteers serving at Central or Network office)

• Who pays for fingerprinting, etc.?

  • Distinctive Schools covers the cost, there is no fee for volunteers.

• Where do I go for fingerprinting?

  • Accurate Biometrics will complete your fingerprinting for you.

• What documents do you need to provide?

  • Valid, unexpired government issued ID

• How will I be contacted if I’m approved? 

  • The Distinctive Schools HR department will email you and the campus Principal to confirm that you are cleared to volunteer. 

• Do I need to go through this process next school year? 

  • If you wish to volunteer at your school next year, please notify the school by July 1, 2025.