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COVID-19 Testing

Helping families and staff access COVID-19 testing is critical to keeping our community healthy and safe. Use this page to find testing options available to you.

Rapid Take-Home COVID Testing

All CPS schools have rapid take-home COVID-19 tests available to any student or staff member who requests one. To request a rapid test, please contact your school’s administration.

Furthermore, schools may proactively distribute rapid at-home COVID tests to families and staff in the following situations:

  • If an individual was deemed a close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, the individual should receive two tests to be administered on the immediate Monday and Thursday following exposure
  • If there is an outbreak in a classroom
  • If an individual is symptomatic at school

NOTE: The District has discontinued the in-school COVID-19 testing program. Out of an abundance of caution to protect our school communities, CPS was one of the few remaining districts in the United States to use a program that regularly tested asymptomatic individuals at school. CPS has completed its transition to a rapid at-home test program where rapid tests are available for free to any student or staff member at any CPS District-managed school.

Report a Positive Test

If at any time you test positive for COVID-19, please report the positive test to cps.edu/covidresults and isolate for a minimum of five days. If you still feel symptoms after five days, please continue to isolate until 24 hours after symptoms resolve without using fever-reducing medication. Individuals must wear a mask for five days upon returning to school after their five-day isolation.

Report a Positive Case

Community Testing Resources

Over-the-counter rapid COVID-19 tests are widely available, and there are many community testing resources available to families and staff.

For more information on where to find family testing sites (adults and children), view the city of Chicago's COVID-19 website or search for a health center.

Private, Employer, or CPS-provided Insurance

Contact your primary healthcare provider; some insurance plans require the provider to order and schedule a COVID-19 test.

Contact your insurance plan provider to find out what types of tests are covered and at what locations. In certain plans, transportation costs relating to treatment can be covered by the provider.

Medicaid

Contact your primary healthcare provider, some insurance plans require COVID-19 tests to be ordered and scheduled by them.

Contact your managed care provider to find out what types of tests are covered and at what locations. In certain plans, transportation costs relating to treatment can be covered by the provider. Contact information for common providers can be found below.

  • Blue Cross Community Health Plans: (1-877-860-2837)
  • CountyCare Health Plan: (1-312-864-8200)
  • Aetna Better Health: (1-866-329-4701)
    Meridian Health: (1-866-606-3700)
  • Molina HealthCare: (1-855-687-7861)

If you are a CPS family and have questions about your insurance plan, please contact the Office of Student Health & Wellness at 773-553-KIDS (5437).

I Do Not Have Insurance

If you do not have insurance and need help accessing public health benefits, please contact the Office of Student Health & Wellness at 773-553-KIDS (5437) or fill out an assistance request at cps.edu/health.

Questions About COVID-19 Testing