How Many Students Are There?
CPS Student Population
The student population for the district has decreased by 5,106 students since the 2021-22 school year, a decline of 1.5%. This change is due to a decline in students in grades K-8 (a decrease of 4,229 students over four years or 2.0%) and high school (a decrease of 3,340 students over four years or 3.2%) while there has been an increase in PE & PK students (2,463 students or 16.0%).
Student Population Over Time
Student Population Over Time
NOTE: Enrollment data is from the annual 20th-day count (September 23, 2024).
How Many Seats Are There for the Student Population?
Number of Students Enrolled in Elementary and High School Buildings
There is currently space to serve over 450,000 students across grades K-12 with more than 148,000 unfilled seats this school year. The number of unfilled seats is expected to decrease in the coming years.
Number of Seats vs. Enrollment in Elementary and High School Buildings
School Year 2023-2024
School Year 2026-2027 Projection
School Year 2022-2023
School Year 2025-2026 Projection
NOTE: Enrollment and seats figures listed here do not include Pre-K and Cluster students. The number of seats is the adjusted ideal capacity of the school building or the charter contract enrollment cap. Elementary grade students enrolled in combination K-12 schools are grouped into the high school category.
How Many Pre-Kindergarten Seats Are There for the Student Population?
Total Pre-K Seats
In the 2024-25 school year, there were 22,612 Pre-K seats in school-based Pre-K programs, including full- and half-day seats.
The Far Northwest Side and the Greater Midway regions have the greatest number of seats, with 3,330 and 2,410 seats respectively. The Far Northwest Side, Northwest Side, and West Side regions have the greatest number of full-day Pre-K seats with 2,010, 1,530 and 1,530 seats respectively.
Full- and Half-Day Pre-K Seats by Region
Full- and Half-Day Pre-K Seats by Region
NOTE: Due to rounding, some charts may not add up to 100%.
Pre-K seat allocations are updated yearly based on demand, enrollment trends, space availability, and the capacity of nearby Community-Based Organization Pre-K programs. Allocation decisions also prioritize access for Pre-K students with disabilities.
Total Pre-K Enrollment
In the 2024-25 school year, total Pre-K enrollment was 17,787 students in school-based Pre-K programs. 71% of Pre-K students are enrolled in full-day programs and 29% of Pre-K students are enrolled in half-day programs. Pre-K student enrollment increases over the course of the school year.
3- and 4-Year-Old Pre-K Enrollment by Region
3- and 4-Year-Old Pre-K Enrollment by Region
NOTE: Pre-K enrollment totals are from the 20th day of school in 2024-25 and include all students aged 3 or 4. Some totals exclude students who were enrolled in Pre-K but not scheduled to a half-day or full-day classroom on the 20th day (September 23, 2024).
Full-day Pre-K programs are typically favored by parents and have been shown to be more effective in preparing students for kindergarten. CPS also offers half-day programs for three-year-olds based on community demand and the needs of students with disabilities.
Due to rounding, some charts may not add up to 100%.
Full-Day Pre-K Enrollment vs. Seats
District-wide, 82% of full-day Pre-K seats were filled as of the 20th day of school (September 23, 2024). The regions with the greatest ability to serve more full-day Pre-K students are the West Side (404 available seats), South Side (293), Pilsen / Little Village (267), Greater Midway (254), and Greater Stony Island (248) regions. Pre-K student enrollment increases over the course of the school year.
Full-Day Pre-K Enrollment vs. Seats By Region
Full-Day Pre-K Enrollment vs. Seats By Region
NOTE: Pre-K enrollment totals are from the 20th day of school in 2024-25 and include all students aged 3 or 4. Some totals exclude students who were enrolled in Pre-K but not scheduled to a half-day or full-day classroom on the 20th day (September 23, 2024).
Full-day Pre-K programs are typically favored by parents and have been shown to be more effective in preparing students for kindergarten. CPS also offers half-day programs for three-year-olds based on community demand and the needs of students with disabilities.
Due to rounding, some charts may not add up to 100%.
Pre-K Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity
District-wide, enrollment in Pre-K by race and ethnicity mostly mirrors enrollment by race and ethnicity in Kindergarten. 41% of Pre-K students identify as Latinx, compared with 45% of Kindergarten students, and 31% of Pre-K students identify as Black, compared with 33% of Kindergarten students. Pre-K student enrollment increases over the course of the school year.
Pre-K and Kindergarten Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity
Pre-K and Kindergarten Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity
NOTE: Pre-K enrollment totals are from the 20th day of school in 2024-25 and include all students aged 3 or 4. Some totals exclude students who were enrolled in Pre-K but not scheduled to a half-day or full-day classroom on the 20th day (September 23, 2024).
Due to rounding, some charts may not add up to 100%.