Credit Equivalency Policy
It is the policy of the Chicago Public Schools to recognize and grant credit for high school studies completed elsewhere on a year-by-year equivalent basis. Credit granted should be comparable to the number of credits obtainable in one academic year at a Chicago public high school.
Admissions
If you plan to arrive, or have recently arrived, in the United States and seek enrollment for your child (without a J-1 or F-1 visa) in Chicago Public Schools for the first time, contact the International-Newcomer Student Services department to schedule an evaluation for placement.
Evaluation of Foreign Credentials
All school records (grades 8 through 12) from students arriving from foreign countries must be evaluated by International-Newcomer Student Services. Students and their families should contact International-Newcomer Student Services to schedule an appointment for an evaluation of their credentials. Families may also utilize our online Evaluation Request Form.
Official documents must be submitted for review. This includes:
- Report cards/transcripts listing subjects and final grades
- Birth certificate, passport, or another government-issued identification document for the student.
CPS high schools will record transfer credits, course grades, and course level designations based on the Evaluation of the Foreign Secondary School Credentials.
Students seeking enrollment in elementary schools are usually enrolled based on their age. Parents or school personnel needing guidance regarding the appropriate placement should contact our office and request an evaluation.
Students arriving from foreign countries are required to complete a Home Language survey. In addition, CPS tests students’ English language proficiency using the Illinois Board of Education’s screening assessment, ACCESS. The results of this assessment determine English course placement.
Make an Appointment for Credential Evaluation
For the evaluation and review of secondary school credentials from a foreign country, call for an appointment at 773-527-3203 or newcomers@cps.edu.
At the time of your appointment, bring your student's official documents (report card/transcript) listing subjects and final grades for each year of high school level education and your student's official birth certificate and/or passport to:
Chicago Public Schools
OMME Center
3320 W. Evergreen Ave, Chicago, IL 60651
Telephone and videoconference appointments are available
Support for CPS Families Transferring Out of the Country
Families who move out of the country may not have time to request school records before leaving. CPS can help ensure students have the documents they need to continue their education abroad.
Parents and legal guardians should contact their child’s school to request withdrawal and school records. Report cards and transcripts can be printed in select languages to support enrollment in a new school.
If parents need additional help, they can contact OMME’s International Student Services at newcomers@cps.edu or call the OMME Parent Hotline at 773-527-3203.