The CPS Annual Regional Analysis (ARA) is a collection of reports designed to inform conversations with communities to address the question - what school options do families and communities need?
The purpose of the ARA is to support CPS’s goal to provide every student with a high-quality education in every neighborhood. These reports aim to ensure that every student in Chicago has access to quality public schools and a variety of programs.
The reports present CPS data in one place, without making recommendations or suggestions for action. They give stakeholders consistent information about school quality, enrollment patterns, school choice, and program offerings by region.
Structure & Organization
The ARA consists of a district report and 16 regional reports. The City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development created boundaries for regions based on housing and employment research. Natural borders such as rivers and train lines divide each region. These borders are likely considerations for families when selecting a school. The ARA uses these regions as they are more consistent than city wards or school networks.
The ARA includes all CPS schools, including traditional neighborhood schools, Charter schools, Selective Enrollment, Magnet, Special Education Specialty, and Options High Schools.
Maps
Region Map
The West Side region’s boundaries are, generally, the Metra Milwaukee District West railroad line to the north, West Ogden Avenue to the south, Western Avenue to the east, and Austin Avenue to the west, bordering Oak Park. It contains parts of 9 wards, 19 neighborhoods, and 5 community areas. It is served by 15 CTA train stops and 8 Metra stops.
* Denotes Options/alternative or special education specialty school
School Type
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
Racial/Ethnic Composition
In the West Side region over the last four years, the number of students identifying as Black has decreased while the number of students identifying as Latinx has increased.
In the racial/ethnic composition of the West Side student population, the majority of students identify as Black, although in the past four years the percentage of students identifying as Black has decreased from 73% to 68% as the percentage of students identifying as Latinx has increased from 24% to 30%.
The majority of the students in the southern portion of the West Side region identify as Black, with the northeast portion being primarily students identifying as Latinx.
Race/Ethnicity Composition Over Time
Race/Ethnicity Composition Over Time
Free and Reduced Lunch Rates
In the past four years, the percentage of students qualifying for Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) has decreased from 88% to 86%. The percentage of students qualifying for FRL in the region remains higher than the overall district percentage of 73%. 1, 2
The West Side region is primarily made up of low-income neighborhoods. The northwest portion of the region is the higher-income Galewood area.
Free and Reduced Lunch Rate Over Time
Free and Reduced Lunch Rate Over Time
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME