The CPS Opportunity Index is a tool that uses school, community, and historical factors to measure differences in access to opportunity across traditional elementary and high schools in the District. It helps CPS Offices, Departments, Networks, and external partners understand the levels of need in schools relative to other schools across the district so they can distribute resources equitably and prioritize schools that have less opportunity than others.
Resource Equity at CPS
At CPS, we are committed to Equity. We use an Equity Lens in all our work to understand the structure and conditions that create and sustain systemic inequities. This helps us make the necessary changes to build more equitable learning environments where all students can achieve their full potential.
In alignment with the CPS Strategic Plan, “Success 2029: Together We Rise,” and the CPS Equity Framework, the Opportunity Index is rooted in Targeted Universalism and is a tool to help achieve Resource Equity. Resource Equity means consistently giving priority and resources such as staff, time, and money, based on the different levels of need and opportunity across our schools. Equity does not mean giving every student the same thing; rather, it could look like spending more on students who face greater systemic challenges outside of their control and restructuring how resources are used to give all of our students what they need to thrive and meet high academic expectations.
The Opportunity Index is based on many years of research about how school districts can consider systemic oppression and distribute resources to equitably support all students. Experts in child and adolescent development understand that children and teens’ well-being is affected by their immediate surroundings (like school), which exist in larger communities and historical factors that shape policies, opportunities, and social norms.
How to Read the Opportunity Index
- What it measures: The Opportunity Index measures disparities in access to opportunity by analyzing 11 indicators of a school's demographics, community, and historical funding.
- Higher scores: A higher Opportunity Index score means that the school needs more support and resources compared to other schools in CPS to have the same level of opportunity.
- Lower scores: A lower Opportunity Index score does not mean a school has everything it needs. It just means that schools with higher scores need more help right now to operate as well as schools with lower scores.
- Please note: Options, Safe, Early Learning Centers, and Specialty schools are not assigned Opportunity Index scores because their unique structure and funding are different from one another and from traditional schools. However, they should still be considered when allocating resources.
Opportunity Index School Scores
Search below to find the individual score for your school.
Opportunity Index Sum Score
Opportunity Index Average Score
School Demographic Factors
Community Factors
Historical School Funding Factors
Opportunity Index Indicators
The Opportunity Index consists of 11 distinct indicators across three main categories. Below are brief descriptions of the categories and indicators. For more in-depth descriptions and rationale for each indicator, please refer to the “Metric Descriptions” tab in the SY26 CPS Opportunity Index Scores file.
School Demographics
These indicators reflect the characteristics of the students attending the school.
- % of Students with Disabilities: The percentage of all enrolled students with an assigned Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- % of English Learner Students: The percentage of all enrolled students designated as English Learners
- % of Students in Temporary Living Situations (STLS): The percentage of all enrolled students who are designated as STLS
- % of Teachers Retained: The percentage of staff employed in the previous school year who are still with the school in the current school year
- Simpson Diversity Index: This index helps capture systemic racial segregation by measuring the concentration of students of single racial background
Community Factors
These indicators reflect the socioeconomic environment in which the attending students live.
- 200% Poverty Rate: A weighted 200% poverty rate (family income within 200% of the federal poverty line) based on students’ residing census tract
- % Uninsured: A weighted percentage of uninsured individuals based on students' residing census tract
- Chicago Hardship Index: Weighted Chicago Community Area Hardship Index (2018-2022) based on students’ residing community area
- Community Life Expectancy: Weighted average community life expectancy based on students’ residing community area
For all community factors, all students enrolled in CPS on the 20th day of the school year are connected to a census tract and a community area based on the home address they provide through a process called geocoding. This helps accurately link student data and community data based on where students actually live, not where the school they attend is located.
Historical School Funding
These indicators account for the resources schools have experienced in previous years.
- School Budget and Changes in School Budget: An average of two components: (a) Percentile of the average total budget from 2014 - 2024, and (b) Percentile of the average percentage change in budget from 2014-2024
- Capital and Outside Funding: The total amount of Capital and Outside funds (Tax Increment Funding (TIF) funds, state funding, and other outside sources (e.g., Friends of Dollars) as they become identified) received between 2008-2023
