Chicago Public Schools Elementary Schools Under Review
- 01. Chicago Public Schools Elementary Schools: Complete Guide for 2025-2026
- 02. Current Review Status: School Closures and Consolidation
- 03. Elementary School Types and Program Options
- 04. 2025-2026 Admissions Process Changes
- 05. Enrollment Trends and Demographic Shifts
- 06. Academic Performance and Strategic Initiatives
- 07. Practical Guidance for Families
- 08. Connecting Public and Catholic Education Models
Chicago Public Schools Elementary Schools: Complete Guide for 2025-2026
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) operates more than 470 elementary schools serving kindergarten through eighth grade, with 313,000 students enrolled as of fall 2025 following a 12,000-student decline from the previous year. The district is currently reviewing over 100 schools for potential closure or consolidation due to underutilization, with 58% of all CPS buildings operating below 70% capacity. Families can attend their guaranteed neighborhood school or apply to any of the city's elementary programs through the GoCPS enrollment system.
Current Review Status: School Closures and Consolidation
CPS CEO Pedro Martinez commissioned an internal study assessing more than 100 schools for potential closure amid a $500 million district deficit. The 2025 Space Utilization Report reveals that one-third of CPS schools are half-empty or worse, driving the district's reconsideration of its portfolio.
| Metric | 2024-25 Value | 2025-26 Projection |
|---|---|---|
| Total Elementary Schools | 470+ | 450-460 (estimated) |
| Total Enrollment (K-12) | 325,305 | 313,000 |
| Underutilized Buildings | 58% | 60% (projected) |
| Schools Below 50% Capacity | 154 of 498 | 165 (projected) |
| Unfilled Seats (K-12) | 148,000+ | 155,000 (projected) |
Elementary School Types and Program Options
CPS elementary schools fall into distinct categories based on enrollment structure and curriculum focus. Neighborhood elementary schools have geographic attendance boundaries and serve all students residing within those boundaries.
- Neighborhood Schools: Guaranteed admission for students living within attendance boundaries; no application required
- Choice Programs: Citywide enrollment without boundaries; families rank up to 20 options in order of preference
- Selective Enrollment Schools: Academic merit-based admission using test scores and grades for academically advanced students
- Special Curriculum Schools: Focus on arts, language, science, or accelerated curriculum with citywide admission
- Pre-K Programs: 17,787 students enrolled in school-based Pre-K, with 71% in full-day programs
2025-2026 Admissions Process Changes
CPS implemented critical changes to elementary admissions for the 2025-2026 cycle, requiring families to rank choices by preference rather than simply listing them.
- Explore Phase (Summer): Use the CPS School Search tool to filter by location, academic focus, and compare programs; identify your neighborhood school
- Apply Phase (Fall): Create an EnrollWise account (replacing SchoolMint); attend open houses; select and rank up to 20 Choice programs in order of preference; submit application online or by phone
- Results Phase (Spring): Receive up to ONE Choice offer AND ONE Selective Enrollment offer maximum; accept or decline offers; join rolling waitlist if missed fall deadline
The new single best offer model ensures students receive placement from their highest-ranked qualifying program based on seat availability and selection criteria.
Enrollment Trends and Demographic Shifts
CPS enrollment has declined approximately 12,000 students to roughly 313,000 in fall 2025, representing a significant demographic shift affecting elementary school capacity districtwide. Between 2019 and 2024, the district hired more than 2,600 teachers and 4,000 paraprofessionals, adding nearly 7,000 school-based staff despite enrollment pressure.
Attendance patterns show mixed results: Black student attendance in elementary schools increased slightly, while Latino elementary enrollment declined with average daily attendance falling to 91.7% from 92% the previous year. Chronic absenteeism rose to 30.8% districtwide.
Academic Performance and Strategic Initiatives
CPS K-2 students surpassed national averages in math and reading following pandemic recovery efforts, with 40% of students reaching mid or above grade-level by end of school year 2025. In 2024, CPS launched a five-year strategic initiative aiming to increase third-through-eighth-grade math and reading proficiency by 20%.
"The recent data is promising, but merely represents the beginning of the district's journey toward achieving its long-term objectives." - Interim CEO Macquline King, December 2025
Roughly 56% of students now obtain early college and career credentials, translating to about 13,000 graduates last year-a significant increase from 2022 when CPS began tracking these metrics.
Practical Guidance for Families
Families seeking elementary school enrollment should follow these concrete steps to navigate the system effectively:
- Use the CPS School Search tool at cps.edu/gocps to find programs by zip code, program type, or academic focus
- Visit school profile pages for eligibility criteria, admissions requirements, and student outcome metrics
- Attend open houses or call schools directly to schedule tours if no open house is scheduled
- Create an EnrollWise account for 2025-2026 applications (old SchoolMint accounts don't transfer)
- Rank Choice programs in true order of preference-your highest-ranked qualifying offer becomes your placement
Connecting Public and Catholic Education Models
While CPS serves 313,000 students through public education, the Marist education model across Brazil and Latin America offers an alternative approach blending academic rigor with spiritual formation and social mission. Both systems prioritize holistic student development, though Marist institutions emphasize faith-based pedagogy, community engagement, and values-driven governance that resonates with families seeking Catholic education.
School administrators comparing systems should note that CPS's current utilization challenge-58% of buildings underutilized-contrasts with efficient capacity management seen in well-governed Catholic school networks where enrollment stability supports sustained educational quality.
What are the most common questions about Chicago Public Schools Elementary Schools Under Review?
How many elementary schools does Chicago Public Schools operate?
CPS operates more than 470 elementary schools serving grades K-8, with the exact number subject to potential closure or consolidation as the district reviews over 100 underutilized schools.
What is the difference between neighborhood and choice elementary schools?
Neighborhood schools have geographic attendance boundaries guaranteeing admission to students living within those boundaries, while choice programs have no boundaries and require families to apply and rank preferences through GoCPS.
How do I apply to Chicago Public Schools elementary for 2025-2026?
Create an EnrollWise account (not SchoolMint), attend open houses, select and rank up to 20 Choice programs in order of preference, then submit your application online or by phone through the GoCPS portal.
Are Chicago elementary schools being closed in 2025?
CPS is reviewing more than 100 schools for potential closure due to underutilization and a $500 million deficit, with decisions expected by December 1, 2025, though no official closures have been finalized yet.
What is the enrollment for Chicago Public Schools elementary in 2025?
Total CPS enrollment dropped to approximately 313,000 students in fall 2025 (down 12,000 from previous year), with elementary schools serving the majority of K-8 students across the 470+ elementary buildings.
How does the single best offer model work for elementary admissions?
Under the single best offer model, students receive up to ONE Choice program offer AND ONE Selective Enrollment offer maximum, placed at their highest-ranked qualifying program based on seat availability and selection criteria.
