GoCPS Changes for 2025-2026 Elementary Admissions Process

CPS announced a change to their elementary “Choice” admissions process that will require RANKING up to 20 Choice options, instead of just listing 20 with no order. That means a family can only get up to ONE Choice program AND up to ONE Selective Enrollment program in additional to their guaranteed neighborhood school. Preliminary info was released in this email: https://mailchi.mp/cps.edu/gocps-monthly-memo-for-school-leaders-administrators-17584631?e=8f974d4b4b

ES Choice Single Best Offer:

Another important update for the upcoming application cycle is that the elementary choice selections process is moving to the single best offer model.

This is the model currently in place for all other GoCPS programs (Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools, Grade 9, and PreK admissions. Please see below for further information on the process.

How It Works:

Students select up to 20 choice programs they want to include on their application AND RANK them in order of preference.

They will be considered for all programs on the application and receive up to 1 offer from the highest-ranked program for which they qualify, based on seat availability, their status for the specific program’s selection process (such as lottery number or priority preferences), and the status of other students who applied to those programs.

Students who receive offers will be placed on the waitlist for all programs that are ranked higher than the one they received an offer to.

The decision to implement the single best offer model for Elementary Choice is rooted in making the process as equitable and straightforward for families as possible. Please be sure to rank your choice programs in order of preference and apply to schools that are of interest for you and your child. If you have questions about the ranking process for elementary school choice programs, please sign up for one of our trainings. “

 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1C9Noa4qo05uBxwkbS8L0UKHALemzpAoqkmWgf-yy4S4/viewform?edit_requested=true

They also changed their portal from SchoolMint to EnrollWise, so all families will need to create a new account in EnrollWise for 2025-2026 applications.

2024 Hidden Gems High School Fair 9/29/24 @ 1-4pm

“Hidden Gems” Public & Private
Chicago High School Fair

Sunday, September 29, 2024 from 1-4pm

Bennett Day School
955 W. Grand, Chicago, IL 60642 

Register Now!

Admission is only $20/family with pre-registration
($30/family at the door)
Need-based vouchers are available upon request.

View our growing list of 2024 schools and resources HERE 

Knowing how to cast your net wide and increase your options is KEY to a successful Chicago high school search. Join Chicago School GPS as we bring together over 35 participating public, private and boarding high schools & resources, each with unique qualities that you may not have known about prior to coming to our Hidden Gems Fair.  PLUS, you can meet helpful resource vendors and partake in informative breakout sessions that will give you clarity on the high school process.  Join us for an afternoon designed to make your high school journey a successful one!

Program begins at 1pm with high schools showcasing what makes them unique, and breakout sessions begin at 2pm.  Fair ends at 4pm.

Our invaluable breakout sessions offer insights for Middle School Parents and Students on topics such as:

  • Navigating the private & public high school admissions process
  • High School Entrance Exam Insights (includes CPS HSAT, HSPT & ISEE)
  • Private school scholarship opportunities & resources
  • International Baccalaureate Programs Demystified
  • Why You Should Consider Boarding Schools
  • Executive Functioning Strategies (tentative)

Tours of the hosting school will be available from 12pm-1pm.

Thank You to our 2024 Venue Sponsor:
Thank You to our 2024 Presenting Sponsors:
Thank You to our 2024 Major Sponsors: