Chicago Public Schools is the third largest school district in the country. Making sure every student, parent and educator has a voice is a tall order — and one that CPS is hoping to fulfill.
The district is working against some challenges as it heads into the 2025-26 school year.
CPS must work to address budget shortfalls, field rising tensions with the federal government and replace its top leader. The district is also heading into a new academic year with a partially-elected school board for the first time.
Here’s a breakdown on everything parents should know about Chicago Public Schools.
1. Overview of Chicago Public Schools
- Phone number: 773-553-1000
- Number of schools: 622 (includes district-run charter schools)
- Number of students: 321,668
- Pupil to teacher ratio: 18:1 for elementary students and 19:1 for high school students
- Spending per student: $19,908
- Quick links: School calendar, enrollment information
- Claim to fame: With an operating budget of more than $8 billion and roughly 40,000 employees, Chicago Public Schools is one of the largest districts in the country. The school system faces fiscal challenges after COVID-19 relief dollars have dried up, despite a historic increase in funding. Now, the district is operating with an interim CEO during uncertain times.
2. Tensions with the federal government
Chicago Public Schools unveiled its Black Student Success Program this spring. Immediately after, a civil rights complaint was filed by Parents Defending Education, an organization fighting against progressive ideology in schools. The complaint to the Department of Education alleges that the plan is discriminatory.
The Trump administration said that schools using Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies like programs aimed at a specific race would put them at risk of losing federal funding.
Meanwhile this month, federal funds have been withheld to the tune of $6.8 billion nationwide. That money would have supported English learners as well as 21st-century learning centers in CPS schools.
New America, a nonpartisan think tank, put together a list of the top 100 districts across the county facing the largest total funding risk from the withholding of the federal funds. CPS was eighth on the list with a risk of losing nearly $15 million if the federal funds are not released.
3. Issues adopting a balanced budget
Chicago Public Schools, the largest district in the state, has been working to close a $734 million budget deficit before its deadline. By law, the district must adopt a balanced budget by Aug. 29.
The district listed three main reasons for the budget shortfall: federal pandemic relief funding has expired, a limited ability to generate local revenue and funding for school and staff support under threat.
Community listening sessions were scheduled throughout July. Now, district leaders say they will take the feedback from the sessions into planning what comes next.
4. An interim CEO at work
Following the Chicago School Board’s firing of Pedro Martinez, Macqueline King has taken up the mantle as district CEO/superintendent. King is no stranger to education leadership: she recently worked as the senior director of education policy in the mayor’s office.
King must now work to adopt a balanced budget by the deadline late next month. Budget disputes were (to put it mildly) a major challenge for former CEO Martinez.
A statement from the district says King’s vision for CPS is “rooted in transparency and opportunity for all” and that she intends to keep students and families “at the center of every decision.”
The school board hired a firm to help find a new CEO last spring. The efforts to find a permanent leader are still underway.
5. Layoffs again this year
The district laid off 432 teachers, 311 paraprofessionals, 677 special education classroom assistants, 33 security officers and five parent workers earlier this month, reports Chalkbeat Chicago.
“Instead of a restful summer break, we’re in the middle of what has become a harmful and distressing annual ritual at CPS,” says the Chicago Teachers Union.
The ratio of laid off special education teachers is particularly troubling,” says the Union, as “evidence suggests [they] may already work at a ratio that violates state regulations and does not meet our students’ needs.”
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