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Hi everyone,
I heard some updates from families and friends indicating that the Office of Access and Enrollment is working on “right-sizing” gifted programs. I understand that this term generally refers to aligning enrollment numbers and class sizes with long-term district goals, but I haven’t been able to find clear guidance on when and how these changes are being implemented — especially for non-entry grades like 2nd and 3rd.
Does anyone know if the right-sizing approach will impact the number of offers being made from waitlists this year for mid-grade entry? Or whether schools might adjust class caps (e.g., from 28 to 29 or 30) as part of this effort? I know that as of now K-3 should be capped at 28 and 4-8 at 31, and I wonder whether this stays the same.
We’re currently on the waitlist for a non-entry grade and trying to understand how this might affect movement and planning. Any insight from those familiar with CPS planning or recent patterns would be greatly appreciated.
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I think that the end of student based budgeting could impact the decisions of popular schools (both choice and SE) on how many students to admit. Previously, schools got an actual dollar amount for each additional student they enrolled, which incentivized filling all seats, but for this 2024-5 school year the new budget formula is based on set numbers of staff, opportunity index of students, and some other things that don’t directly depend on the number of students enrolled. So I guess this is first admission cycle after the new budget model so there could be some impact. The change is meant to shift resources toward neighborhood schools and increase equity, but like any major change there is certain to be a lot of upheaval and some casualties in the process.
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Classes sizes came up over the weekend, a current SEES PTO parent explained it like this.
For 2025-2026 – The school will make 28 kinder offers but won’t make additional offers for spots 26-28 if they are declined.
then in 2026-2027 – The class size will be 25 – as set by the new contract, so 25 offers will be made and filled if declined.Full disclosure this is 2nd hand chitchat from a backyard gathering. But assuming it’s true, or close, I would guess that non-entry grades will only make offers if the number of students who leaves drops the class size below the cap. So, 4 people would have to leave a 28-seat 2nd class to have one space in a 25-seat 3rd grade.
We’re (non-entry year) #3 on for Mcpherson and #6 for Bell. I’m not expecting to receive an offer at either.We learned at the recent LSC meeting that there are definitely budgeting considerations depending on TIF money and pension requirements.
There are 3 possibilities for next year: in one, all the cuts will be absorbed by the central office, 2nd – the schools will be impacted (ours will lose a teacher), 3rd – the principals didn’t even model because it would be so bad for the schools.
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