Dear CPS Colleagues, Families, and Supporters,
In less than one week, we will close the book on the 2024–25 school year! I could not be more proud of what we’ve achieved together, and I want to congratulate everyone, from our teachers, school leaders, and support staff to our students and families on a remarkable year!
Like our Class of 2025 graduates, I too will be moving on from CPS in the coming days. But before I do, there are some things I want to say to this incredible community.
Coming Home
Four years ago, a door opened up that I never expected to walk through. I was offered the chance to lead Chicago’s public schools. To say I was excited would be a massive understatement. I was thrilled to be leading a District that had made such incredible progress in the previous ten years, and was excited to help get students back on track after the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most of all, though, I was excited to be coming home. Home to the school system that had shaped me, and the city that had welcomed me with open arms when I arrived from Mexico at the age of five.
I’ve lived in several places in my life, and I have great affection for all of them. But only one place has ever truly been home, and that’s Chicago. It was in Chicago’s Pilsen community where I learned that even as an American, I could and should be proud of my Mexican heritage. And it was at Walsh Elementary School where I learned to speak English, and where teachers like Mr. Asher and Ms.Tapia began to see potential in me that I did not yet see in myself. This trend continued as I attended Benito Juarez High School, where my teachers and counselors guided me toward my acceptance to the University of Illinois, which is where my world truly opened up.
The schools and communities of our city made me the person I am today. So as corny as it sounds, the chance to return to Chicago and lead our public schools was truly a dream come true.
After the Pandemic
I came to CPS in the fall of 2021, which was a challenging time for our District. Students were just returning from the pandemic, and some of them hadn’t seen the inside of a classroom for nearly 18 months. The impact on their learning had been devastating, and it was time to begin the long road to recovery.
My first priority was keeping everyone healthy and safe. So we were in constant communication with our families and staff, guiding everyone through the constantly changing health and safety protocols as our world began to open back up. We made a massive push to get our CPS community vaccinated, holding thousands of vaccine events across the city, and even canceling classes for a day so that everyone had the time they needed to get a vaccine.
I’m proud of the steps we took to keep everyone in our CPS family healthy. But the impact of COVID-19 went far beyond the physical. By forcing them out of their classrooms and into remote learning, the virus halted our students’ academic progress, all but erasing the remarkable gains they’d achieved in the previous decade.
This was an incredible blow to our District. But there was no time to dwell on what couldn’t be changed. Our students needed a recovery plan, and they needed it immediately.
Investing in Our People
That plan began with the investment of the relief funds provided to us by the federal government, and we were intentional in how we used them.
Because we know the powerful impact talented educators can have, we chose to invest largely in our people. We hired more teachers, counselors, nurses, and support staff to help our children regain their confidence and skills. We brought on lead coaches to grow the capacity of our teachers, interventionists to provide targeted supports to students who were struggling, and skilled instructors to provide high-dosage tutoring.
Also, because we knew what an emotional toll the pandemic had taken on our students, CPS invested in a universal social-emotional learning curriculum, as well as more Behavioral Health Teams in our schools.
Four Years Later
As a result of these investments, and the hard work of our students and educators, CPS is in a very different place than we were when I arrived nearly four years ago. Our graduation rate has never been higher, and nearly seven out of every 10 graduates are enrolling in college. In addition, more than half of CPS students are now earning college credit, an industry certification, or another college or career credential while still in high school. Moreover, our last two graduating classes have earned more than two billion dollars in scholarships to support their dream of a college education.
All of this is encouraging, and clearly shows that the effects of the pandemic are largely in our rearview mirror. But our most encouraging progress actually lies with our younger students, especially when it comes to literacy. Academic data from the 2023–24 school year shows our elementary school students increasing proficiency rates in Reading by more than 10 percentage points in just the past two years. This growth was seen most prominently among our Black and Latinx boys, and actually puts us at a HIGHER proficiency rate in literacy than we were BEFORE the pandemic.
How It Happened
So what led to our students achieving such impressive gains? It started with getting them into the classroom early.
In 2018, CPS set out to provide every four-year-old in the city of Chicago with access to free, full-day preschool programming—a mission I was honored to see completed during my time here. These high-quality early learning programs are now available in EVERY Chicago neighborhood, which I am confident has contributed to our impressive gains in literacy.
My years here have also seen additional investments to support our special education students, our students facing homelessness, and our English Learners, more than 10,000 of whom have enrolled in CPS schools in just the past two years.
This work has been especially personal for me, because I was once in the exact same position as our new arrival students. I was that five-year-old from a Spanish-speaking country whose family came to the U.S. in search of a better life. It was Chicago’s public schools that put me and my siblings on the path to that better life, so as the leader of this District, I was determined to do the same for the new arrivals of today.
That’s why my team has fought hard to expand bilingual and dual-language programs in our schools, and why we have worked to strengthen the pipeline of bilingual educators serving our students.
Doubling Down on Equity
Even on the most challenging days, I’ve relished every moment of this opportunity to serve. But there are a few milestones in particular that stand out, and they all have to do with equity.
The first is the tremendous progress we’ve made in bringing greater diversity to our workforce. When I arrived at CPS in 2021, just 38% of new teachers were educators of color. Last school year, thanks to strategies that helped us expand our recruitment program, that number had jumped to 60%. This representation is critical, because when students see adults who look like them, who speak their language, and who share their experiences, it transforms their view of themselves and what they can achieve.
Something else I’m especially proud of is the bold decision my administration made to change the way we fund our schools. I’m proud that the resources a CPS school receives no longer depends on its number of students. Every school, no matter how big or small, now has the funding for essential positions that all students need and deserve.
I’m talking about an assistant principal, a clerk, and at least one counselor in every school, along with a minimum of ten core classroom teachers, and three holistic teachers in each elementary school to bring art, music, physical education, STEM, world language, and many other subjects into our students’ lives.
True equity means that the size of a child’s school, or the zip code they live in, will not determine the quality of their education. This new budget model brings us closer to that equity goal, which along with rigor and joy, is our desired outcome for every CPS student, every day.
This brings me to the next achievement I feel deeply proud of—our District’s new five-year strategic plan. What began as a Blueprint when I arrived has grown into an ambitious, student-centered roadmap for the future of our city’s public schools.
This plan builds on our recent gains while acknowledging both the missteps of the past and the challenges of the future. It sets a bold agenda for transformative change, especially for Chicago communities that have suffered years of disinvestment. It prioritizes investments in our neighborhood schools, and outlines how the District will close opportunity gaps that continue to hold far too many children back, including our economically-disadvantaged students and our students of color.
With Profound Thanks
As I prepare to conclude my time as CEO, I am overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude. First to my amazing team, who work so hard day in and day out to execute my vision for this District. I’m also grateful to the school leaders who serve as anchors for our CPS communities, and the teachers and support staff who are the daily drivers of our success. The depth of talent across this District is extraordinary, and it continues to propel CPS forward with strength and purpose.
I’m profoundly grateful to our families for entrusting us to put their children on a path toward success. And most of all, I’m grateful to our students themselves, and I am so proud of the progress they have made, from pre-k all the way through high school graduation.
I’ve always said that the best part of this job is visiting our schools, and the reason for that is our students. Their smiles, camaraderie, and enthusiasm for learning always warms my heart, and never fails to remind me why I do the work that I do.
Soon, I will begin a new chapter as Education Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I’m honored by this opportunity to serve, as this work has always been more than a career—it’s been a calling. Though I’ll be taking on a new role in a new part of the country, my ties to Chicago will remain strong. With much of my family still here, I will always remain connected to this city, and I will continue to advocate for the students of Chicago who inspire me every day.
I thank you all for the gift of the past four years. It has truly been the honor of a lifetime.
Sincerely,
Pedro Martinez
Chief Executive Officer
Chicago Public Schools
Summer Resources for CPS Families
With less than a week of classes left in the school year, we know that our students are getting very excited about summer break. We want everyone to have a great time this summer, but it’s also important that they stay safe, and that they have plenty of activities to keep them happy and engaged. Click here for a collection of resources to help CPS students and families make plans for a safe and engaging summer.
Review the CPS Academic Calendar for the 2025-26 School Year
CPS families can now view the academic calendar for the 2025-26 school year here! One notable change is that Teacher Institute Days, Improvement Days, and Professional Development (PD) Days, are now all categorized as “PD Days”. There is no student attendance on these days.
A Look Around the District
Take a look at how schools across the District are closing off the school year!
This Pride Month, Palmer Elementary School in North Mayfair became a part of the HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools, a comprehensive bias-based bullying prevention program. The school’s effort over the years to focus its training on creating welcoming spaces for students who identify as LGBTQ+ or have gender-diverse experiences earned them their designation into the program and named them the first Welcoming School in Illinois.
At Skinner Elementary, located in the Old Town neighborhood, the school community gathered for its annual International Festival. The event, led by students, showcased multiple countries and their cultures.
Sherman Elementary in Back of the Yards hosted a Parent Resource Day, bringing in various community organizations to offer their services to families. Resources provided that day included information on signing up for food from WIC, financial planning, family services, and more, as well as clothing giveaways and other essentials.
Fifth-grade students at Kershaw Elementary in Englewood demonstrated their understanding of an issue or opportunity of their choice for their IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) exhibition. Students undertook their investigation both individually and with their peers and teacher during the school year, and then showed student agency, presenting their findings to guests at the event.
And at Nightingale Elementary, located in Gage Park, students and staff closed off the year with a school-wide Talent Show. The show included various musical performances, cheerleading, Folkloric dancing, and other special performances from students, teachers, and even parents!
More Students Earning the State Seal of Biliteracy
This year, more than 3,400 students from 91 schools earned the Illinois Seal of Biliteracy, which is about 17 percent higher than last year and more than 80 percent higher than in 2022. The Seal of Biliteracy is given to students who graduate from high school fully proficient in English and at least one other language. We are committed to helping our students graduate ready to thrive in a global society, and this exciting increase reflects our intentional investments in bilingual teachers and dual-language programs, as well as the formation of bilingual advisory councils.
Resources for Celebrating Pride Month
Happy Pride Month! Our District is committed to providing our LGBTQ+ students and staff members with safe, inclusive, and welcoming school environments. This month, we are sharing helpful resources so everyone in the CPS community can contribute to this commitment.
- Supporting LGBTQ+ Young People: Tips for Parents and Caregivers (English | Spanish)
- Key Terms: A Guide for Understanding LGBTQ+ Identities
- Mental Wellness Guides:
- Chicago Services Resources Guide
- The Trevor Project (For LGBTQ+ Support, contact (866) 488-7386.
- Resources and Organizations for Supporting LGBTQ+ Young People Experiencing Homelessness or Housing Instability
Make Your Voice Heard in the Superintendent/CEO Search
The Chicago Board of Education is conducting a national search for CPS’ next Superintendent/CEO, and there are several ways for District stakeholders to get involved. We want to hear from you about the experience, vision, and overarching qualities you feel are the most important things to look for in our District’s next leader. You can share your insights by completing our survey, participating in a focus group, or attending the final community gathering that will be held virtually on Wednesday, June 11 at Noon. Register here to receive a link to join this meeting.
Visit the Chicago Board of Education website regularly for specifics on these opportunities and complete details around the search.
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in CPS Athletics
It has been a thrilling finish to the CPS SCORE! Elementary Sports Season. This past week, CPS crowned three champions with Lane Tech capturing the Girls Soccer Championship in penalty kicks, and Beasley and Ericson capturing the Girls and Boys Flag Football Championship in exciting fashion! The last elementary sports event of the year will take place Saturday at Rockne Stadium as student-athletes across the District compete in the 5-8th grade Track and Field Championships! For more information, photo galleries, championship event programs and more, please visit us at CPSAthletics.com or follow us on Instagram @CPSAthletics_.
Lane Tech continues to make history at the IHSA State Tournament as the Boys Volleyball team is competing in the State Quarterfinals this afternoon against Wheaton, looking to advance to the state semifinals, and the Girls Soccer team is competing for a state title, guaranteeing them at least a 4th place finish in state, one their best in school and CPS history!
High School baseball and softball continue their journeys in the IHSA State tournament as Taft, Simeon and Payton look to continue their seasons and make history this postseason. For the latest scores and highlights, visit ihsa.org.
All-City, All-Academic and All-Conference Awards across all of our spring sports are being announced each week by each sport’s coaches association/committee. We wish all of our nominees and winners a big congratulations on this tremendous achievement!
As we close out the school year, and to keep up with all things CPS Athletics for students in grades 5-8, make sure to visit our website CPSAthletics.com or follow on social media (X , Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin) as we continue to celebrate our students!
CPS Office of Early Childhood Education Wins Award
The CPS Office of Early Childhood Education is the recipient of the 2025 Advancing Excellence and Equity in Urban Education Award from the Council of the Great City Schools in collaboration with Curriculum Associates. This award spotlights districts that have worked strategically in cross-functional teams to plan, implement, and monitor an initiative focused on improving student achievement. CPS is receiving this award for its efforts to expand universal pre-k and ensure strong alignment between pre-k and other grades. Congratulations!
CPS Staff: Take the ProgramBRIDGE Survey
As part of our District’s move to Oracle Cloud, the ProgramBRIDGE Organizational Change Management team is gathering feedback to better understand how we can support you during this transition and beyond. Please take this survey, which takes five minutes or less, to help us gauge cognition, identify support needs, and shape future communications, training, and engagement efforts.
Options for Getting the Measles Vaccine
Cases of measles are currently on the rise around the country, and we want to make sure our CPS community is protected from this very contagious disease. The best way to do this is by making sure you and your children are up to date on the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which provides lifelong protection against measles.
Most people will have gotten the MMR vaccine during childhood. But for those who have not, there are many opportunities to get the vaccine. CPS offers school-required vaccinations like MMR, and other recommended vaccines at our school-based health clinics, and through our elementary, high school, and charter mobile clinics. Please use these links to schedule an appointment for a vaccine. Vaccines through CPS are free for those who are uninsured, underinsured, or who have health insurance through Medicaid or Medicare. For those with private insurance, please contact the clinic for details on which insurance carriers they accept.
The Chicago Department of Public Health also offers no-cost vaccines for those who are uninsured or under-insured at four immunization clinics in the city. Click here for details on these clinics. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is highly encouraged. Create an account and register for an appointment at https://getvaxchi.chicago.gov or by calling the clinic.
Individuals with private insurance or Medicaid/Medicare can also receive vaccines at health care providers or local in-network pharmacies throughout the city. Visit vaccines.gov to find a vaccine provider. Anyone unsure about which providers are in-network should call their health insurance company before getting vaccinated to avoid out-of-network charges.
Supporting Families Amidst Federal Policy Changes
With the transition to a new presidential administration, many in our school communities are experiencing anxiety, especially regarding immigration issues. CPS is committed to ensuring that our schools remain safe, inclusive, and welcoming educational environments that embrace and celebrate everyone in our diverse communities. CPS has strong protections in place for our students and staff; you can read about them here.
We have also created a website with many resources on immigration services, as well as details on “Know Your Rights” trainings and workshops that are being held throughout Chicago. Some of these sessions are being conducted by our District’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Team, while others are being presented by our community partners. Families can find complete details at cps.edu/newadminguidance. This website will be updated frequently to reflect new training opportunities and any changes to federal law, so we encourage everyone to visit regularly. Mental health supports are also available to students through their schools. Parents who feel their children could benefit from these supports should contact their child’s teacher, principal, or school counselor directly.
Discounted Tickets from the White Sox and the Joffrey Ballet
CPS is partnering with the Chicago White Sox to offer up to 75% off tickets, starting at $7.99 to select home games this summer!
- This offer is first-come, first-served.
- This offer is available only to CPS administrators, teachers, students over 18 years old, and parents/legal guardians of minor students.
- Game tickets will be delivered to your online account no later than 48 hours prior to your selected game. Tickets are ineligible for resale.
Learn more and get your tickets here. If you have any questions, please contact ticketpromos@chisox.com.
Plunge down the rabbit hole into the fantastical world of Wonderland as two-time Tony Award-winning choreographer Christoper Wheeldon brings Lewis Carroll’s whimsical adventure to the stage with a modern twist. Immersed within Joby Talbot’s hallucinatory soundworld of sweeping melodies and ticking clocks, with Tony Award-winning designer Bob Crowley’s vibrant stagecraft and puppetry, Wheeldon makes Wonderland wonderfully real in this audience-favorite dance adventure. Purchase tickets at http://www.joffrey.org/alice. Use code CPS25 for 25 percent off tickets (excludes weekend matinees and is not valid on price level E or previously purchased tickets. Restrictions apply.)
Important Dates
For more upcoming events around the District, visit cps.edu/calendar.
- Wednesday, June 11: Board of Education Agenda Review Committee meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Thursday, June 12: Last day of school for CPS students.
- Thursday, June 19: CPS buildings are closed in observance of Juneteenth.
- Thursday, June 26: Board of Education meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org