Determining Your Type of School
To get started, you'll need to know which type of school you're applying to. This is the first step in the process and determines whether or not you'll need to submit a formal application.
Neighborhood School
- Guaranteed seat for all K-12 students within the school's attendance boundary
- Located near your home address
- No application required
- Find your neighborhood school with the CPS School Locator
Non-Neighborhood School
- Enrollment based on specific requirements such as admissions testing and GPA minimums
- Options located across Chicago
- Application is required
- Learn more and apply on the GoCPS website
Enrolling in a Neighborhood School
Students in grades K-12 have a guaranteed seat at the general education program in their zoned neighborhood school of attendance, which is based on their home address. No GoCPS application is required. Please note, pre-K students are not guaranteed a seat in their neighborhood school and should apply through the Chicago Early Learning website.
Enrollment Steps
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Find your neighborhood school. Use the CPS School Locator to find your neighborhood school based on your most recent home address.
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Reach out to the school directly if you wish to enroll. You can find your school's contact information on the CPS School Locator. You may also visit your neighborhood school in person with your child.
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Complete the required school-based registration documentation. View required documents for first-time enrollment on the Enrollment Requirements & Forms page. When a child enrolls for first time, the parent, legal guardian, or temporary custodian must provide valid registration documents.
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Complete medical compliance requirements. View required medical documentation on the Enrollment Requirements & Forms page. Medical documents are required for your student's record. We encourage you to provide them at the time of enrollment. However, you may enroll your child without them initially, as long as you submit the necessary documents by the due date. If you're enrolling after the due date, please bring all required medical documents with you.
Applying to a Non-Neighborhood School
Chicago students may apply to nearly any CPS school program outside their neighborhood school. These CPS schools do not have defined attendance boundaries and instead use specific enrollment criteria. Students must submit an application and be accepted to enroll in these programs. Non-neighborhood schools include:
- Choice schools: Specialize in one subject area, such as fine arts, world language, or technology
- Selective Enrollment Schools: Schools with specific admissions criteria
- Pre-kindergarten: Subject to particular enrollment eligibility criteria and procedures
Application Steps
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Create an Account. Visit GoCPS to create a parent account for your student.
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Research Schools. Use the GoCPS school search to explore programs by school type, academic focus, and location.
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Submit Application: Use GoCPS platform to apply to your program choices.
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Complete your enrollment. If offered a seat and it is accepted, complete enrollment at the school.
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Complete the required school-based registration documentation. View required documents for first-time enrollment on the Enrollment Requirements & Forms page. When a child enrolls for first time, the parent, legal guardian, or temporary custodian must provide valid registration documents.
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Complete medical compliance requirements. View required medical documentation on the Enrollment Requirements & Forms page. Medical documents are required for your student's record. We encourage you to provide them at the time of enrollment. However, you may enroll your child without them initially, as long as you submit the necessary documents by the due date. If you're enrolling after the due date, please bring all required medical documents with you.
