Chicago Public Schools List Reveals Unexpected Gaps
- 01. Chicago Public Schools List: Complete 2025-2026 Directory with Equity Insights
- 02. Complete CPS School Count by Type
- 03. Top Selective-Enrollment High Schools on the CPS List
- 04. Key Equity Statistics from the CPS List
- 05. How to Find Any School on the CPS List
- 06. Marist Education Perspective on Public School Equity
Chicago Public Schools List: Complete 2025-2026 Directory with Equity Insights
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) operates 630 schools serving 316,224 students in the 2025-2026 school year, including 473 elementary schools and 157 high schools across district-run, charter, contract, and SAFE programs. The district's new "Together We Rise" strategic plan, unanimously approved by the Chicago Board of Education in September 2024, explicitly addresses historical equity differences between neighborhoods by eliminating school rankings and redirecting resources to predominantly Black and low-income areas.
Complete CPS School Count by Type
The official school list breaks down into four operational categories with distinct enrollment patterns and resource allocations that directly impact student outcomes across Chicago's diverse communities.
| School Type | Elementary Schools | High Schools | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| District-Run Traditional | 415 | 83 | 498 |
| District-Run Options/Specialty | 6 | 8 | 14 |
| District-Run Early Childhood Centers | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Charter Schools | 50 | 58 | 108 |
| Contract Schools | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| SAFE Schools | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Grand Total | 473 | 157 | 630 |
This school breakdown reveals that 79% of CPS schools are traditional district-run institutions, while charter schools represent 17% of the total but serve disproportionate numbers of students in under-resourced neighborhoods.
Top Selective-Enrollment High Schools on the CPS List
The most high-performing schools on the Chicago Public Schools list are all selective-enrollment magnet programs, with U.S. News & World Report ranking five CPS schools among America's best in 2024.
- Northside College Preparatory High School (North Park) - 97% graduation rate, 93% SAT reading attainment
- Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (Near West Side) - 2,146 students, 95% graduation rate
- Lane Technical High School (Lake View) - 4,482 students, largest selective enrollment school
- William Jones College Preparatory High School (Printers Row) - 92% SAT reading attainment
- Walter Payton College Preparatory High School (Near North Side) - Ranked #5 nationally by U.S. News
These selective schools demonstrate the equity gap: all top five are in affluent neighborhoods with 90%+ SAT attainment, while schools in Roseland and Back of the Yards show 19-64% SAT attainment.
Key Equity Statistics from the CPS List
The equity differences highlighted in the CPS school list reflect systemic disparities that the "Together We Rise" plan aims to address through targeted universalism and racial equity stances.
| Metric | Percentage | Equity Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Economically Disadvantaged Students | 71.8% | High need for resource allocation |
| English Learners (EL) | 27.3% | Requires multilingual pathways |
| Students with Disabilities | 17.3% | Needs grade-level placement equity |
| Latinx Enrollment | 46.4% | Largest demographic group |
| Black/African American Enrollment | 34.3% | Focus of Black Student Success initiative |
| White Enrollment | 11.8% | Historically excluded from opportunities |
These demographic patterns show why CPS prioritizes racial equity, noting that 56.4% of students are economically disadvantaged with 148,000 unfilled seats system-wide.
How to Find Any School on the CPS List
Families and educators can access the complete school directory through three official channels that provide real-time enrollment data and contact information for all 630 schools.
- CPS Stats and Facts page (cps.edu/about/stats-facts) - Updated September 2025 with current enrollment
- NCES School Search Database - 700 public schools in Chicago area with addresses and phone numbers
- City of Chicago Open Data - School Profile Information SY2425 with detailed metrics
The search tools allow filtering by neighborhood, grade levels, enrollment type, and special programs like dual-language or STEM curricula.
Marist Education Perspective on Public School Equity
From a Marist education standpoint, the CPS equity framework aligns with our commitment to holistic formation that serves marginalized students first. The "Together We Rise" plan's focus on eliminating opportunity gaps for Black students and students with disabilities mirrors Marist pedagogy's preferential option for the poor.
School administrators in Brazil and Latin America can learn from CPS's evidence-based approach to equity: measuring what matters (holistic well-being over test scores), investing in existing institutions rather than creating new ones, and centering racial equity as a structural imperative.
The measurable impact goals - 15% absenteeism reduction, 20% proficiency increase, 70% college credit increase by 2029 - demonstrate how Catholic and Marist schools can adopt data-driven accountability while maintaining spiritual and social mission.
Expert answers to Chicago Public Schools List Reveals Unexpected Gaps queries
How many schools are in Chicago Public Schools?
CPS operates 630 schools total: 473 elementary schools and 157 high schools, including district-run, charter, contract, and SAFE programs.
What is the CPS "Together We Rise" strategic plan?
The 47-page five-year plan approved September 2024 eliminates school rankings, decreases chronic absenteeism by 15%, increases 3rd-8th grade proficiency by 20%, and increases college credit attainment by 70% by 2029.
Which Chicago public high schools rank highest?
The top five are Northside College Prep, Whitney M. Young Magnet, Lane Tech, William Jones College Prep, and Walter Payton College Prep - all selective-enrollment schools with 94-97% graduation rates.
Where can I find the official CPS school list?
The official list is at cps.edu/about/stats-facts (updated September 2025), with complete profiles at data.cityofchicago.org Education section for SY2425.
How does CPS address equity differences between schools?
CPS uses targeted universalism to eliminate predictability of success by race/class, prioritizing Black student success, multilingual pathways, and equitable funding while stopping school rankings that disadvantage low-income neighborhoods.
