Chicago Youth Circus

Build Skills and Make New Friends!

Registration for Fall 2026 Opening in August

Join our waitlist to get first access when registration opens.

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!

*Apply for finacial aid at registration

Programs

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

Fall Session: Saturdays 10/03/26 - 12/05/26 (No programming on 10/17/26 & 11/28/26)

Spring Session: Saturdays 10/03/26 - 12/05/26

Unicycle 2: 8am-9am (Must have previous experience)

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

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.

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.

CDI (Circus Discipline Intensive): 8-16 year olds, 12pm - 1pm,
An additional circus skill station for students interested in accelerating their growth in circus. $432
Drop in fee any level $30

All FA youth must pay a 1-time $25 registration fee

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.)

Fall Session: Saturdays 10/03/26 - 12/05/26 (No programming on 10/17/26 & 11/28/26) 10/24/26 will be a field trip evening to the Arts in the Dark parade

Winter Session: Saturdays 01/23/27 - 03/13/27

Spring Session: Saturdays 04/03/27 - 05/22/27

Morton Youth: Free
All Morton Youth and FA must pay a 1-time $25 registration fee

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.

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.

Schedule:

11:00-11:20 - Manipulation Open Gym
11:20-11:40 - Group Game & Warm-up
11:40-12:15 - Skill Station 1
12:15-12:50 - Skill Station 2
12:50 -1:00 - Snack
1:00 - (Minis Concludes)
1:00-2:00 - Skill Station 3
2:00 - (Mighties Concludes)
*Activity schedule may vary

GALLERY

Refund & Cancellation Policies

Cancellations – CircEsteem reserves the right to cancel a class due to insufficient enrollment. In such a case, a full refund will be issued.

‍Drops – Students voluntarily withdrawing from a class after the registration deadline do not receive a refund.

‍Missed Classes – CircEsteem cannot pro-rate tuition based on anticipated or unanticipated absences.

Refunds – CircEsteem does not offer refunds except in the case that a class is cancelled by CircEsteem.

Please – Please contact registration@circesteem.org if you have any questions.

THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THIS COMMUNITY!

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO GROW TOGETHER!

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info@circesteem.org

(773) 732-4564

4730 N. Sheridan Rd.

Chicago, IL 60640

No receptionist Thursdays