How Many Students Are There?
CPS Student Population
The student population for the district has decreased by 17,407 students since the 2020-21 school year, a decline of 5.1%. This change has been driven primarily by a decline of students in grades K-8 (a decrease of 20,253 students over four years or 9.0%), while the number of high school students has been more consistent (decreasing by 3,249 students over four years or 3.1%).
Student Population Over Time
Student Population Over Time
NOTE: Enrollment data is from the annual 20th-day count (September 18, 2023).
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 151,000 unfilled seats this school year. The difference between the number of enrolled students and seats available is expected to grow 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 2023-24 school year, there were 23,362 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 3,440 and 2,500 seats respectively. The Far Northwest Side and the West Side regions have the greatest number of full-day Pre-K seats, with 2,080 and 1,630 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%.
Total Pre-K Enrollment
In the 2023-24 school year, total Pre-K enrollment as of the 20th day of school (September 18, 2023) was 17,541 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 2023-24 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.
Due to rounding, some charts may not add up to 100%.
Full-Day Pre-K Enrollment vs. Seats
District-wide, 77% of full-day Pre-K seats were filled as of the 20th day of school (September 18, 2023). The regions with the greatest ability to serve more full-day Pre-K students are the West Side (562 available seats), Far Northwest Side (377), South Side (368), Greater Midway (364), and Greater Stony Island (354) 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 2023-24 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.
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. 45% of Pre-K students identify as Latinx, compared with 43% of Kindergarten students, and 32% of Pre-K students identify as Black, compared with 35% 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 2023-24 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.
Due to rounding, some charts may not add up to 100%.