New EC*REACH Publication: Uptick in Chicago Public Schools Enrollment Driven by Early Grades

In this brief, the EC*REACH team examines trends in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) enrollment over the past decade and found that post pandemic, CPS enrollment is increasing in the early grades.

Read the full brief

For the second consecutive year since 2022-2023, enrollment in CPS has increased, signaling stabilization after more than a decade of decline.

This brief examines trends in CPS enrollment over the past decade and identify factors contributing to the recent increase in enrollment. Total K-12 enrollment in CPS has been declining over the past decade. However, over the last 3 years enrollment has stabilized and rebounded, increasing by just over 5,100 students overall—or about 2%.

The recent enrollment growth has been driven by increases among the early grades (PK3-K and grades 1-4), even while birth rates continue to decline. In contrast, enrollment in older grades has continued to experience modest declines.

The causes of this recent uptick in CPS enrollment in early grades are difficult to pinpoint, as multiple factors may be contributing to this trend. In order to best engage and support Chicago’s children and families, it will be critical to better understand the factors that are contributing to this enrollment rebound—such as shifts in demographics, the impact of universal pre-kindergarten, and the arrival of new families.

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