How Many Seats Are There for the Student Population?
Student Population
Students who reside in region, including those who attend school out of region
Since 2021-22, the number of students living in the Near West Side has increased by 482 students (11.5%). Within that, the K-8 population has increased by 253 students (8.9%), while the 9-12 population has increased by 149 students (12.7%).
In comparison, the overall district population has decreased by 1.5% during the same period. The K-8 population has decreased by 2.0% and the 9-12 population has decreased by 3.2%.
Students Residing in Region Over Time
Students Residing in Region Over Time
NOTE: Enrollment data is from the annual 20th-day count (September 23rd, 2024).
Student Enrollment
Students who attend school in the region, including those who reside out of the region
Since 2021-22, the number of students enrolling in the Near West Side region has decreased by 537 students (5.1%). Within that, K-8 enrollment has decreased by 174 students (3.9%), while 9-12 enrollment has decreased by 400 students (7.0%). Within the region, enrollment has decreased at a rate greater than the overall district student population decrease.
In comparison, there have been more students enrolling in the region than living in the region. This indicates that some students are choosing to enroll in the Near West Side region over other school options in their home regions.
Students Attending in Region Over Time
Students Attending in Region Over Time
Seats and Enrollment
There are 4,672 more seats than students enrolled in the region, including 2,220 elementary school seats and 2,452 high school seats.
Number of Seats vs. Enrollment in Elementary and High School Buildings
Number of Seats vs. Enrollment in Elementary and High School Buildings
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 and Enrollment
In the Near West Side region, there are 410 Pre-K seats, 76% of which are in full-day programs and 24% in half-day programs.
Full- and Half-Day Pre-K Seats in Region
Full- and Half-Day Pre-K Seats in Region
In the Near West Side region, there were 304 students enrolled in Pre-K as of the 20th day of school (September 23, 2024), 79% of which were in a full-day program. 63% of Pre-K students were 4-year-olds, while 35% were 3-year-olds. Pre-K students continue to enroll over the course of the school year.
3- and 4-Year-Old Pre-K Enrollment in Region
3- and 4-Year-Old Pre-K Enrollment in Region
There were 106 unfilled Pre-K seats in the Near West Side region as of the 20th day of school (September 23, 2024), 64 of which were full-day seats. The full-day programs were 79% filled while the half-day programs were 58% filled. Pre-K enrollment continues to occur over the course of the school year.
Full- and Half-Day Pre-K Enrollment vs. Seats in Region
Full- and Half-Day Pre-K Enrollment vs. Seats in 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).
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.
Full-Day Pre-K Seats and Enrollment
In the Near West Side region, there has been a decrease of 1 full-day seat over the past four years, a 0.3% decrease. This number has increased by 30 seats since last school year.
Full-Day Pre-K Seats in Region Over Time
Full-Day Pre-K Seats in Region Over Time
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.
4-Year-Old Enrollment Over Time
In 2024-25, there was an 8.8% increase in enrollment (15 students) of 4-year-olds in full-day Pre-K programs in the Near West Side region. Over the past four years, there has been a 14.1% increase in enrollment (23 students) of 4-year-olds in full-day Pre-K programs.
4-Year-Old Pre-K Enrollment in Region Over Time
4-Year-Old Pre-K Enrollment in Region Over Time
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).
Pre-K Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity
The proportion of Pre-K students identifying as Black is 54% compared to 40% of Kindergarten students, while the proportion of Pre-K students identifying as White is 15% compared to 14% of Kindergarten students. For most regions, the racial/ethnic identities of students are similar in both Pre-K and Kindergarten. In some cases, the proportion of each racial/ethnic group may change when comparing Pre-K to Kindergarten.
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).