Spotlight

Options for Knowledge

Online application available for many schools

November 12, 2010

The application process for the school year on this page is now closed. Please visit the OAE application page for information about the 2012-2013 application process. Thank you.

Parents interested in magnet and selective enrollment options still have time to apply for the 2011-2012 school year!

This year, applying to schools that are part of the “Options for Knowledge” program is easier than ever. Parents can take advantage of a new online process to apply to Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools (formerly GEAP), Selective Enrollment High Schools, Military Academies, and College and Career Academies. (Paper applications will still be available, but parents are encouraged to use the online process, which is designed to provide faster and more efficient processing of applications, while improving communication. Be sure that you do not apply online AND through the paper process.)

We have also improved the process for applying to elementary magnet schools, magnet cluster schools, and open enrollment schools. For these schools, which still require a paper application, parents will only need to submit one application per child, and they will only need to send that application to one centralized location. In future years, the online process will include these schools as well.)

For more information on the types of schools available, or for details about the application and selection process, you can also visit www.cpsoae.org Opens in a new window icon. .

To start the online process, go to www.apply.cps.edu Opens in a new window icon. . Your first step is to apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN). The PIN will be mailed to your home and will be used in lieu of a parent signature. You will only need one PIN, no matter how many children in your family will be applying, or to how many different types of available programs you are applying. The PIN will be used on a one-time-only basis to continue the application process.

To use the paper process for any of the available schools and programs, you may download and print an application below, and follow the instructions listed.

CPS hosted a series of information sessions across the city, from November 8-10, for parents of 7th and 8th graders considering what high school to attend. You can find a copy of the presentation from that event in PDF format below.

Before you submit your application, here are a few tips to help you with the application process.

Schools

Consider all types of schools—not just magnet schools, and not just the schools that you already know about. Magnet cluster schools and open enrollment schools offer many excellent options for parents and students.

Do not apply to just one or two schools.
Do not submit applications to schools that you would not want your child to attend if he or she is selected.
Do your homework to find out more about the schools before you submit your applications. There are several ways to do this:
Review a school’s test scores, which can be found online in our Find a school section.
Attend a school’s open house (call the school to find out if they are having one).
Set up an appointment to tour the school and talk with the principal or counselor about the school.
Talk to parents who have children enrolled in the school.
Take a tour of the neighborhood.

CPS ID

CPS ID is a student's Chicago Public Schools identification number, which is assigned to each student enrolled in the Chicago Public Schools system. If a child does not attend a Chicago public school, he/she does not have a Chicago Public Schools identification number and should, therefore, place "99999999" on the application, as directed.

Deadline

Do not wait until the last day to mail (or submit online) your applications; this will ensure that all materials are delivered on time and to the appropriate people.