Chicago Public Schools Extends GoCPS Application Deadline for the 2025-26 School Year

CHICAGO – Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has extended the GoCPS application window until 5 p.m. November 22. This extension gives students and families additional time to explore their educational options for the 2025-26 school year.

Families of students entering kindergarten through ninth grade in the 2024-25 school year began applying for a wide variety of academic programs available across the city when the application portal opened September 24, 2024. To ensure all students have an opportunity to submit their application, CPS has extended the application deadline from the original date of November 15, 2024 to the new deadline of 5 p.m. November 22, 2024.

"We continue to make intentional investments as outlined in our new five-year strategic plan to meet the individual needs of our students," said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. "This extension allows families more time to explore and consider the programs that best suit their unique needs, and will ultimately equip our students to succeed beyond the classroom."

Every student is guaranteed a seat within the general education program of the neighborhood school associated with their home address. However, students and families can use the GoCPS application to also explore additional programs that best fit their needs. Elementary and high school applicants must submit the GoCPS application by 5 p.m. on November 22, 2024. Families will receive GoCPS offers via email during the Spring 2025 semester.

Families of elementary school students entering grades K-8 may use the GoCPS application to apply to magnet, magnet cluster, dual-language, and selective enrollment programs for the 2024-25 school year. Families can apply to one of these programs even if their student is currently attending their neighborhood school or a non-CPS school. Families who wish to apply to selective enrollment programs will need to schedule their child(ren) for an entrance exam as part of the GoCPS application process.

Following several prior opportunities, the District’s high school admissions test (HSAT) will be administered a final time on November 23 and 24, 2024 for all non-CPS students who have not yet taken the assessment test. This final administration of the HSAT will be one-hour long, consisting of a 30-minute reading section and a 30-minute math section which is offered in English, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Urdu, and Polish.

Students entering high school in the 2025-26 school year can apply to a variety of programs, including selective enrollment, International Baccalaureate (IB), Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), Fine and Performing Arts, Service Leadership Academies, Career and Technical Education (CTE), Dual-Language programs, and more.

For more information and a list of all available programs, visit cps.edu/gocps. Families are invited to contact CPS’ Office of Access and Enrollment at (773) 553-2060 or gocps@cps.edu with any questions.
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