Chicago Youth Circus

Build Skills and Make New Friends!

Fall 2025 Registration Begins 08/06/25

Description

Chicago Youth Circus (CYC) is a vibrant Saturday program held in two locations, dedicated to developing circus skills and providing performance opportunities for youth. Our program includes a variety of circus disciplines such as juggling, unicycle, gym wheel, trapeze, silks, lyra, diabolo, hula hoops, partner acrobatics, mini trampoline, spinning plates, jump rope, clowning, and more!

Our Program Offers:

Skill Stations: Each session features rotations with different skill stations. These are chosen based on a combination of student interest and the expertise of our Teaching Artists.
Custom Learning Paths: At CYC-N, each student's station schedule is created to reflect both their selected interests and one of CircEsteem's foundational agreements: Try everything! At CYC-W, skills development is tailored according to a coach and youth interest form created after the first month of the program.

The CircEsteem Experience:

Dynamic Learning: Our curriculum is flexible, evolving based on the interests and needs of our students and the diverse circus specialties of our Teaching Artists.
Celebrating Variety: Our talented team of Teaching Artists each brings their own unique collection of skills and experience to guide students through a wide variety of circus skills, ensuring a broad foundation of multidisciplinary skill development.
Performance Opportunities: Students not only learn, but also get the chance to showcase their talents in an end-of-year performance!

Join the Chicago Youth Circus to discover and hone your circus skills in a supportive and exciting environment!

Financial Aid

Programs

CYC-North (CircEsteem Headquarters - 4730 N. Sheridan Rd)

Saturdays 09/06/25 - 12/06/25 (No programming on 09/27/2025 and 11/29/25)

Advanced Unicycle: 8am-9am (Must have previous experience) $324/12 sessions

CYC-N Tots: 3 - 4 year olds, 9am - 9:45am
Youth are introduced to circus props, learn basic tumbling skills, sing songs, and play games in a fun and supportive atmosphere, in a separate space from the rest of CYC $264/12 sessions

CYC-N Minis: 5- 7 year olds, 9am - 11:15am
Minis participate in a group warm-up, game, and choose two different circus skill stations that they get to participate in each session. $396/12 sessions

CYC-N Mighties: 8 - 16 year olds, 9am - 12pm
Mighties participate in a group warm-up, game, and choose three different circus skill stations that they get to participate in each session. $832/12 sessions

CDI (Circus Discipline Intensive): 8-16 year olds, 12pm - 1pm,
An additional circus skill station for students interested in accelerating their growth in circus. $324/12 sessions

Schedule:

9-9:45 – Group Game & Warm-up
9:45 – (Tots Concludes)
9:45-10:30 – Skill Station 1
10:30-10:45 – Snack *Bring your own snack
10:45-11:15 – Exploratory Skill Station 2
11:15 – (Minis Concludes)
11:15-12 – Skill Station 3
12 – (Mighties Concludes)
12-1 – CDI (Add on class available for CYC participants)
*Activity schedule may vary

CYC-West (Morton School of Excellence 431 N. Troy St.)

Saturdays 10/04/25 - 12/06/25 (No programming on 11/01/2025 and 11/29/25)

CYC-W Minis: 5 - 8 year olds, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Minis participate in a group warm-up, game, and choose two different circus skill stations that they get to participate in each session. $264/8 sessions

CYC-W Mighties: 8 - 16 year olds, 11:00am - 2:00pm
Mighties participate in a group warm-up, game, and choose three different circus skill stations that they get to participate in each session. $555/8 sessions

Schedule: