While the process to apply for CPS Kindergarten to 9th grade programs is not first come first serve, CPS applications will be open from 10am on September 23, 2025 to 5pm on November 14, 2025 (so far). Families can apply to any school programs outside of their neighborhood school’s general education program.
Each applicant can apply and rank up to 20 CHOICE programs and up to 6 SELECTIVE ENROLLMENT programs. Elementary applicants do NOT have to test into any CHOICE (magnet, magnet cluster, open enrollment & dual language) programs but they DO have to test for any SELECTIVE ENROLLMENT (Classical, Regional Gifted, Academic Center and RG for English Learners) programs. For high school admissions, all CPS 8th graders can take the High School Admissions Test (HSAT) on Oct 8 at their CPS school while non-CPS 8th graders can register to take the HSAT on either Oct 18, 19, 26 or 27.
More info regarding applying to K-8th grade Elementary programs HERE and info regarding 9th grade High School programs HERE.