The CPS Annual Regional Analysis (ARA) is a collection of reports that have been created to support conversations with communities and stakeholders. These reports provide data that helps answer questions about who attends CPS schools, where do students enroll, what programs do CPS schools offer, and is the district meeting family and community needs.
Updated yearly, the ARA presents CPS data in one place and does not make recommendations or suggestions for action. Instead, these reports are designed to empower stakeholders with the information they need to ask questions and advocate for the types of schools they want in their communities. In doing so, the ARA supports CPS's goal of ensuring that every student in every neighborhood receives a high-quality education.
Stakeholders are encouraged to review this information to understand current school quality, enrollment patterns, school choice options, and program offerings at the district level and across the 16 Chicago regions.
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 since 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 Northwest Side region's boundaries are, generally, the city’s border at West Devon Avenue and West Howard Street to the north, the Metra Union Pacific North Line / North Ravenswood Avenue to the east, the I-90/94 Expressways to the west, and West Diversey Avenue to the south.
It consists primarily of five community areas – Albany Park, Lincoln Square, North Center, North Park, and West Ridge, and includes portions of Avondale, Forest Glen, and Irving Park. The region is bisected by the Chicago River and contains many parks, trails, and open space.
It contains parts of 10 wards, 10 neighborhoods, and 10 community areas. It is served by 12 CTA train stops and 4 Metra stops.
* Denotes Options/alternative or special education specialty school
School Type
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
Racial/Ethnic Composition
In the Northwest Side region over the last four years, the number of students who identify as Latinx has decreased.
In the region's student population over the last four years, the majority of students identify as Latinx, with the percent of students identifying as Latinx decreasing from 45% to 44%, while the percentage of students identifying as White increased from 25% to 26%.
The majority of the students in the Northwest Side region identify as Latinx with the southeast portion being primarily students that identify as White.
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 increased from 53% to 57%. The percentage of students qualifying for FRL in the region remains lower than the overall district percentage of 71%.1, 2
The Northwest Side region primarily includes areas with medium median household income with some areas of lower median income in the northern part of the region and higher median income in the southern part of the region.3
Free and Reduced Lunch Rate Over Time
Free and Reduced Lunch Rate Over Time
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME