2025 Request For Proposals for New Charter and Contract Schools

As the local school district in Chicago, CPS serves as the city's charter authorizer. Illinois Charter School Law requires review of all charter school proposals submitted to Illinois school districts. CPS releases an annual request for proposals designed to review new school applications, provides recommendations to the Chicago Board of Education on new school proposals, and provides oversight to authorized charter schools. CPS uses this RFP as its mechanism to accept proposals and meet the Illinois statutory requirement. The Office of Innovation and Incubation (I&I) oversees charter school authorization and district oversight within CPS.

CPS is one of the nation’s largest school districts and a leading national charter authorizer. It implements all essential practices established by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers critical to fostering high-performing charter schools. I&I oversees a portfolio of 96 charter and contract schools, serving over 53,000 students citywide.

The 2025 Request for Proposals

This RFP seeks proposals from development teams and existing operators who wish to open a charter school. Before an application can be submitted, any team or operator to submit proposals must first meet with the Office of Innovation and Incubation.

The application is available for download. A key timeline of the RFP process is available below.

Prospective RFP applicants must schedule a one-on-one meeting with I&I by March 3, 2025, to discuss your proposal and the application process and to request an Epicenter account for RFP submissions. Applicants are encouraged to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Even those applicants who have applied in years past must schedule a one-on-one meeting before submitting any application materials.

Please contact 773-553-1530 or contact iandioperations@cps.edu if you have any questions.

Request For Proposal Process Timeline 2025