What we do

CircEsteem’s approach to promoting confidence and cooperation is action based: focused development of circus skills while having fun together. We accomplish this by providing a positive environment that emphasizes goals, teamwork, and performance. Our mission of uniting youth and empowering them through circus arts is fulfilled in every class and is highlighted in every circus we perform.

CircEsteem is lucky to partner with Alternatives Inc, a youth and family service agency that has been enriching Chicago’s northeast communities since 1971.  Alternatives is gracious enough to support CircEsteem by providing space for all of our programs.

On Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. CircEsteem offers HomeWork & CircusWork, which provides an hour of circus training paired with an hour of homework help and tutoring with a healthy snack in between.  On Fridays students are invited to learn circus skills and develop a passion for reading in our CircusReads Program.

On Saturdays, CircEsteem’s Chicago Youth Circus classes are held in the Youth Center.  Students can spend their Saturday mornings learning how to jump on a trampoline, fly on a trapeze, walk on a tight wire and juggle.  They’ll also have plenty of time to learn how to clown around all in a safe and nurturing environment.

CircEsteem is proud of its students for not just their amazing circus skills, but also for their academic achievements.  CircEsteem’s students have a 100% high school graduation rate, with all of our seniors matriculating to a 4-year college within a year after graduation.  CircEsteem’s youth have been offered over $500,000 in college scholarships.  Thanks in no small part to CircEsteem’s CircusTeens program which allows them to earn money for college while performing and mentoring younger students.