School Search News

If your family is anticipating a waitlist offer from CPS preschools, elementary or 9th grade spots, CPS has shared that they will update waitlists throughout the next few months until the 20th day of school for Selective Enrollment (test-based) programs and until January 2026 for Choice (lottery based) programs. PK3 and PK4 programs will have a color coded indicator of whether programs have immediate…

The City of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools offer free preschool options for students who turn 3 or 4 by September 1st. Preschool applications for 2025-2026 begin with an Initial Priority Application that opens on April 8, 2025. The Priority Application Window (NOT first come first serve) allows families to rank up to 5 program sites through April 30. Initial (single) offers will be made on May 22…

GoCPS announced that results for the 2025-2026 school year application will be released in the GoCPS portal on: March 14, 2025 for 9th grade (high school) offers andApril 11, 2025 for Kindergarten through 8th grade (elementary school) offers. Students can receive one offer each for Choice and Selective Enrollment programs and their neighborhood school is always an option. There will be an opportunity to tour offered programs and then a…

Families have more time to apply to next year’s Kindergarten through 9th grade Chicago Public School (CPS) programs via the online portal at https://www.apply.cps.edu/. The new deadline is Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 5pm. Helpful resources for understanding the application process can be found at: https://www.cps.edu/gocps/resources/ Elementary (Kindergarten to 8th grade) resources are at https://www.cps.edu/gocps/resources/elementary-school-resources/ and families should check out GoCPS’s webinar on the…

CPS announced a change to their elementary “Choice” admissions process that will require RANKING up to 20 Choice options, instead of just listing 20 with no order. That means a family can only get up to ONE Choice program AND up to ONE Selective Enrollment program in additional to their guaranteed neighborhood school. Preliminary info was released in this email: https://mailchi.mp/cps.edu/gocps-monthly-memo-for-school-leaders-administrators-17584631?e=8f974d4b4b “ES Choice Single Best…

From https://www.cps.edu/gocps/ The GoCPS application for Chicago Public School (CPS) Kindergarten through 9th grade 2025-2026 programs will open on Sept 24, 2024 at 10am and close on Nov 15, 2024 (changed to Nov 22) at 5pm. Start your application at https://www.apply.cps.edu/ but know you do not have to complete your application right away, just don’t miss the deadline of 11/15/24 11/22/24!  For parent training sessions to learn what…

Students interested in CPS 9th grade programs beyond their neighborhood high school’s general ed program will need to take CPS’ High School Admissions Test (HSAT) during the fall of their 8th grade year. The HSAT exam dates for 2025-2026 high school programs are as follows: CPS and charter students will take the HSAT at their school on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. CPS students will…

All SY 24-25 CPS preschool seats are a part of the Chicago Early Learning application process. From Chicago Early Learning: During this initial enrollment window, families will be able to submit early applications to help increase their chances of getting into competitive early education programs across the city. Completing the application will begin the enrollment process for their child’s early education enrollment for the 2024–2025…

CPS is releasing 9th grade (high school) selection results on Friday, February 23 at 5pm and K-8th grade (elementary) selection results on Friday, March 22 at 5pm for Fall 2024 entry. Families will have approximately 4 weeks to tour schools and decide to accept or decline their offer(s). Then approximately 2 weeks after the deadline to accept/decline an offer, the real-time, rolling waitlist process…

The December 14, 2023 announcement by the Chicago Board of Education regarding Mayor Johnson’s plan to prioritize neighborhood schools and reduce reliance on selective enrollment and magnet programs has caused worry among parents wondering what it could mean to their family’s school options.  We know that there are concerns around school choice, and we want to be clear: this resolution outlines the Board’s parameters…

from https://www.cps.edu/gocps/high-school/hs-admissions-test-23-24/ For Families with an 8th Grader in CPS For Families with an 8th Grader Not in CPS Thank you; CPS sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience that these vendor issues have caused students and their families.

Any current 8th grader interested in applying to CPS programs for 2024-2025 must take a High School Admissions Test. This applies to Selective Enrollment, International Baccalaureate, Magnet, CTE and Service Academy programs. For current CPS 8th grade students, the test will be administered in their CPS school on Oct. 11, 2023. No pre-registration is required. For non-CPS students, the first step is to register…

The CPS K-9th grade application process is beginning and ending earlier than ever. Applicants interested in a program outside of their assigned neighborhood school for 2024-2025 can apply to up to 20 Choice programs and up to 6 Selective Enrollment programs starting at 10am on Sept 13, 2023 and (currently) ending by 5pm on Nov 9, 2023. It is not “first come, first serve”…

Because there are so many schools, programs and options for schooling in Chicago, parents who apply to multiple programs may receive more than one offer. Because a student can only attend one school at a time, there actually can be a lot of movement in program availability throughout the summer and into the school year. Both public (CPS) and private (parochial and independent) schools…

From a recent cps.edu newsletter: Release Dates Announced for GoCPS Offers  GoCPS is now in the final stages of preparing offers for the 2023–24 school year. High school offers will be released on Friday, March 24, 2023 after 5 p.m., and elementary school offers will be released on Friday, April 21, 2023 after 5 p.m. Families who have completed an application should log into…

Families of 3 and 4 year olds by Sept 1st: The citywide application opens April 11, 2023 for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. Explore your options for CPS Pre-K programs and Community-Based programs, including Head Start and Early Start programs! Universal Free Pre-K for all 4 year olds is included, as are Suder, Drummond & Inter-American CPS Magnet schools. Families will have a few…

The GoCPS Kindergarten through 9th grade application deadline for 2023-2024 has been extended to Thursday, December 8th at 5pm. https://www.cps.edu/gocps/

A parent’s school search typically starts by sitting down at the computer and typing in “Best Elementary/High Schools” in your area. The results are populated with hits from sources such as GreatSchools, Niche, Schooldigger or School Sparrow, but what do these results mean, and should parents just add the #1 school to their list while ignoring the other schools closer or more familiar to them?…

All CPS Preschool programs will now apply via the Spring Chicago Early Learning website. Families looking to apply to Suder & Drummond CPS Montessori Magnet programs for PK3 & PK4 will need to wait until Spring 2023 to apply via the Chicago Early Learning site. This was not “announced” so much as “revealed” when the GoCPS application opened on Sept 21 and families could…

CPS Announced that GoCPS will be accepting applications for Fall 2023 entry from Wed, Sept 14th to Fri, Dec 2nd. From https://www.cps.edu/GoCPS Elementary School (K-8th grade programs including Suder & Drummond 3 & 4 year old programs) https://www.cps.edu/gocps/elementary-school/ September 14th, 2022 – Application Period OpensDecember 2nd, 2022- – Application Period ClosesTBD- Results ReleasedTBD- Accept/Decline DeadlineTBD- Waitlist Process Opens2 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER OFFER ISSUED- Waitlist Accept/Decline Deadline High School…

From our friends at TestPrepChicago.com: Through our CPS and non-CPS school partners, we have learned the test dates for the CPS High School Admissions Test (CPS HSAT). This year, CPS students will take the exam at their school on 10/26. Non-CPS students will take the exam at a CPS testing center, and they will have the option to test on 11/5, 11/6, 11/12 or 11/13. We…

If your child will be 4 by Sept 1, 2022, then get ready to apply to FREE Universal PreK at ChicagoEarlyLearning.org starting at 9am on 4/19/22. Parents can choose up to 5 program sites. (Families of 3 year olds can also apply but these programs are mostly hosted by community based organizations and not housed in schools.) The application will be open for an Initial Application Period until mid-May. Then a single…

GoCPS will release Round 1 offers for 2022-2023 Elementary Magnet (including Suder & Drummond), Open Enrollment, Magnet Cluster and Selective Enrollment Gifted, Classical and Academic Center programs on 4/29/22. The deadline to accept or decline offers is 5/13/22. https://go.cps.edu/ View helpful Selection Videos HERE. Sign up for a Family Training webinar (4/19 @ 10am or 4/27 at 2pm) to understand offers via this LINK.

Current 8th graders who applied to Chicago Public Schools for Fall 2022 will receive their Round 1 results at 5pm on Friday, March 18. Good luck to all applicants! From https://go.cps.edu/

Families interested in Chicago Public School programs for 3 year olds through 9th grade for the 2022-2023 school year must submit applications by 5pm on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 at https://cps.schoolmint.com/login. If your child will be 3 by Sept 1, 2022, then they can submit a CHOICE (lottery based) application for Drummond & Suder. If your child will be 4 by Sept 1, 2022,…

Chicago Public Schools are now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year until Dec. 15, 2021. Families can explore https://go.cps.edu/ to learn about the school options and request an account at https://cps.schoolmint.com/login. One account per family and each student can be added as they become eligible to apply to CPS programs. A CPS Student ID can be requested through the portal for any student…

Registration now open for the 2021 VIRTUAL Hidden Gems High School Fair! SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 FROM 1-4PMLIVE Q&A AT VIRTUAL EVENT + PRE-RECORDED CONTENT PRE & POST EVENT Click here to view 2021 school and business exhibitors REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN $15 for the whole family, and fee waivers are available upon request. Knowing how to cast your net wide and increase your options is KEY to…

NOVEMBER TESTING DATES ANNOUNCED FOR CPS HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSIONS EXAM Beginning this year, the Chicago Public Schools will not use the NWEA MAP exam for the GoCPS eligibility or selection process for any schools or programs. For students applying to ninth grade, no schools or programs will have minimum eligibility requirements based on NWEA. Instead, a single admissions exam, the CPS High School Admissions…

Round 1 CPS Elementary Notifications were posted in the GoCPS portal for Choice (lottery) and/or Selective Enrollment (test based) selections. Students could be offered multiple Choice program offers but only ONE selective enrollment offer. A family’s neighborhood school is always guaranteed. Choice elementary offers are based on a lottery selection process and include magnet, magnet cluster (neighborhood w/focus area) and open enrollment (other neighborhood) schools. Drummond, Suder and Inter-American preschool programs are…

If your 8th grader missed applying to CPS this year or would like to apply to any programs that still have open spots after Round 1 ended, then NOW is the time to apply for Fall 2021 9th grade spots.   Participating programs are here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oP1DuhuzrIip37qn4vOqPyqRMj5NdY9VkbNXzOiQowA/edit#gid=0 Applications are here: https://cps.schoolmint.net/signup This is from https://go.cps.edu/high-school/learn#RoundTwoWaitlist  “A second round of applications will be opened shortly after the Round 1 application acceptance…

The first round of CPS High School Notifications for 2021-2022 were released on April 30, 2021. Depending on whether an 8th grade student applied to test based Selective Enrollment High Schools (SEHS) and/or non-test based Choice High Schools (including IB, Magnet, CTE, Military, Charter, etc), a student can have up to 3 public high school choices: up to one offer for SEHS, one for Choice, and…

Chicago Early Learning’s school and community based preschool programs for 4 and 3 year olds (by Sept. 1st birthday) opened its 2021-2022 application on 4/21/21. If parents are interested in these sliding scale tuition programs that prioritize low income and 4 year old students, then visit www.chicagoearlylearning.org or call 312.229.1690 to apply. Families can choose up to 2 Chicago Public School (CPS) or community based sites.…

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced that there will be no NWEA MAP testing this Spring 2021. All students interested in High School for Fall 2022 will take a CPS High School Admissions Test in Fall 2021. http://ow.ly/XZn550EpIct This means that current Spring 2021 7th graders will not be taking NWEA MAP tests as part of the admissions criteria for 9th grade admissions. Instead, all…

After a very trying year for so many, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) are opening elementary schools to families who opt into in-person learning. Families have a choice each quarter to either remain remote or come back for hybrid (part time) in person classes. Safety protocols and daily health screenings are required, as well as social distancing and facility improvements. More details from CPS.edu: https://www.cps.edu/school-reopening/ PreK…

A message from CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS Dear CPS Families, The pandemic has impacted every aspect of our school year, including the important process our students go through when choosing the school options that will best match their talents, interests, and abilities. So to ensure everyone has the time they need to make this important decision, we are extending the GoCPS application deadline from Friday,…

From now until Dec. 11, 2020 at 11:59pm you can apply to Chicago Public School (CPS) programs for Fall 2021 entry. Using the www.go.cps.edu platform, you can apply for 3 CPS Magnet Preschools (Suder, Drummond & Inter-American) and up to 20 out of hundreds of non-test based elementary and high school options, as well as up to 6 test based selective enrollment options. Online applications require a CPS ID number, which can be…

For 6th-8th grade Middle School Families looking to VIRTUALLY meet over 35 Hidden Gems High Schools on Sunday, October 25, 2020 from 1-4pm CT and learn about how to navigate admissions and testing for Chicago area high schools and beyond. (Early bird tickets until 10/11/20 and fee waivers available).Representatives from public, private and boarding schools will be on hand to chat about their schools and let you know of other admissions events.…

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) have released some changes to the 2021-2022 Application process and are listed at https://go.cps.edu/about-gocps/2020-process-changes REVISED CRITERIA FOR HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSIONS Because assessment and grading policies were impacted last year due to COVID-19, we are updating our criteria for admission to high schools. NWEA scoresSeventh grade spring NWEA scores are used in the application and selection processes to determine students’ eligibility in…

While parents are still waiting to hear from #CPS about their student’s schedules before the first day of school on 9/8/20, CPS did release their Final #Reopening Framework last week. https://www.cps.edu/school-reopening-2020/ Some highlights: 6 hr school day including combination of live instruction and independent learning Pre-K students have 60 mins live class, elementary has over 3 hours daily and high school students up to 80%…

After much anticipation, CPS has announced their hybrid remote learning model tentatively scheduled to roll out this Fall 2020. With the pandemic still changing each day, the plan thus far is: Preschoolers return as close to full time as possible K-10th graders will attend 2 days in person, 2 days with at home lessons, and one day remotely In person sessions will be conducted in pods of approx.…

Chicago Early Learning’s school and community based preschool programs for 4 and 3 year olds (by Sept. 1st birthday) opens its 2020-2021 application on 5/21/20. If parents are interested in these sliding scale tuition programs that prioritize low income and 4 year old students, then visit www.chicagoearlylearning.org or call 312.229.1690 to apply. Families can choose up to 2 Chicago Public School (CPS) or community…

CPS released first round elementary notifications on May 8, 2020 for families applying to Choice (Open Enrollment, Magnet, Magnet Cluster) and/or Selective Enrollment (Gifted, Classical and Academic Centers) programs for PK to 8th grade.  Families learned if they were offered a spot or if they would have to wait until further rounds to hear about offers. The first round decision deadline is May 22,…

From https://go.cps.edu/high-school/principal-discretion The Principal Discretion application period for the 2020-2021 school year opens at 9 am on April 27th and ends at 6 pm on May 8th. Click the links below to access the Principal Discretion Handbook and Frequently Asked Questions. The handbook provides step-by-step instructions for submitting a Principal Discretion Application Package and contains the guidelines and requirements for the process. In light…

CPS’s 2020-2021 School Calendar is out now: https://cps.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/SY2020-2021-Academic-Calendar-English.pdf

From CPS Office of Access & Enrollment: “CPS is now administering the NWEA MAP exam to non-CPS students in the spring in order to align with the NWEA MAP testing schedule offered to students enrolled in the Chicago Public Schools system. CPS is now accepting NWEA MAP registration forms for non–CPS students who plan to apply to grades 5-9 for the 2021-2022 school year to Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools and high…

Apply now to high school, elementary school, and 3 magnet preschools via www.go.cps.edu now through Dec. 13, 2019. https://go.cps.edu/about-gocps

Apply one year before the “entry year” of a program  The school application process can be a lengthy one, so be sure to plan ahead. Any school with an application process typically wants families to start one year before they plan to enter the program.  The “entry year” is usually when most spots are available (but also can have the most applicants). If you…

Families with 3 or 4 year olds by Sept. 1 can apply now for sliding scale tuition full or half day preschool programs in Chicago. Choose up to 2 program sites and find out by June if you were placed in one or on a waitlist. Three steps to apply: 1. Create on online account; 2. Fill in family info including address, household size, employment &…

CPS Elementary notifications will come out on April 22 via the Go.CPS.edu portal or if you applied on paper, via mail. This includes first round notifications for the 4 magnet preschools, hundreds of elementary open enrollment, magnet, magnet cluster and several selective enrollment schools including Academic Centers. Good luck to all! Round 1 Offers APRIL 22, 2019 Round 1 – Offers Posted MAY 6,…

Reprinted from Winter 2019 NPN Parent Newsletter regarding what to expect between deadlines, notifications and waitlists.

The long wait is over on March 29 when thousands of 8th graders will learn their CPS high school options for Fall 2019. If they applied to both a Selective Enrollment (test based) and Choice (no entrance test) high school, they will have a choice of one of each of those types, along with their assigned neighborhood school to choose from. This is just…

Friday, December 14 at 6pm for paper, 11:59pm online Don’t miss those deadlines to apply for next Fall’s CPS programs. It is free to apply (and free to test for Selective Enrollment programs) but your application must be RECEIVED by the deadline (not postmarked by)!  You cannot scan & email paper applications so plan to mail earlier or drop off in person downtown by 6pm. CPS applications…

From now until Dec 14, 2018, you can go to www.go.cps.edu and learn about applying to CPS programs from Preschool to High School.  The applications are open and you can apply to schools and schedule testing or admissions screenings until the December deadline. Lots of helpful info at the following links: PreK FAQs Elementary FAQs High School FAQs Remember, you can apply for up to…

Believe it or not, it’s already time to think about Fall 2019-2020 applications!  If you have a non-CPS student interested in applying to CPS 5th-9th grade programs for the 2019-2020 school year, GoCPS has information regarding the NWEA MAP qualifying test for non-CPS students.  These tests are required to apply to IB, Magnet, Selective Enrollment, CTE & Military programs, and the first test period…

From https://go.cps.edu/apply/elementary-school END-OF-YEAR CITYWIDE OPTIONS PROGRAM for Elementary School (deadline 6/1/18) Families who are still seeking elementary school options for the 2018-19 school year will have another chance to apply to elementary schools during the End-of-Year Citywide Options Program. This paper application process will feature high-quality magnet, magnet cluster and open enrollment schools, including three new STEM Magnet schools at Claremont, Jungman and W. Brown; as…

This is cut & pasted from CPS’s website: Principal Discretion Process: 2018-2019 School Year Principal Discretion is a process that allows Selective Enrollment High School principals to fill a designated number of ninth grade seats, outside of the regular selection process, based on information provided through application packages submitted by students. Applicants to ninth grade can apply to a Selective Enrollment school through the…

From GoCPS: HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS RELEASED ON FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2018 Round 1 high school results will be released to families on Friday, March 30, 2018. If the student applied online, results will be posted in their online GoCPS account. If they applied with a paper application, a notification letter will be sent to the primary address on their application via U.S. mail. In addition, an…

Saturday, April 28 from 10am-noon Illinois Institute of Technology, 10 West 35th Street, Chicago $15/attendee, pre-registration required RSVP Here This event helps parents of PreK through 5th graders learn how to successfully navigate the CPS application process and get a jump start on preparing their child for the CPS Gifted and Classical and academic center admissions tests. This event is designed to assist parents…

CPS has been beefing up its school search tools, and the latest iteration can be found at https://go.cps.edu/search.  You can input any address, find its assigned neighborhood elementary and high schools, determine your CPS Tier, and find schools within a certain radius.  You can also filter by: Grades served (PK, Elem, Middle, High School) SQRP Rating (1+ through 3 and “inability to rate”) Program type…

NPN Developmental Differences Fair 3/11/18– families searching for Special Needs options should attend NPN’s Developmental Differences Resource Fair at DePaul College Prep from 9am-1pm on 3/11. RSVP Here and visit our table.

The new year brought the retirement of the indispensable CPSObsessed blog.  Read about it HERE. Feeling lost without the amazing blog, CPSObsessed to guide you?  Check out the NEW parent to parent forum, www.chicagoschooloptions.com. The hope is to continue the conversations there.  It’s still a parent-to-parent resource to learn from the experience of fellow parents.  Feel free to contribute to the discussion and learn about public & private Chicago…