News
CPS School Budget Review
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) recently released school-level budgets, giving principals and Local School Councils only two weeks to review and approve them—a shorter timeline than usual. These budgets are based on the district’s most optimistic deficit projection of $229 million, which assumes the city will provide $300 million in new funding through either state support or tax-increment financing (TIF). However, CPS also presented two worse-case scenarios, with deficits reaching $529 million and $734 million, potentially requiring the layoff of up to 3,000 school staff. Notably, the projections do not include expected additional costs such as principal contracts or pension payments.
This has led to growing concern among school leaders. The Chicago Principals and Administrators Association criticized the budgets as misleading, warning that schools may have to cut staff over the summer when actual finances become clearer. Despite CPS's recent shift away from student-based budgeting toward a need-focused model using the Opportunity Index, even high-need schools are facing significant cuts. For instance, a north side high school that climbed in the index rankings is still losing substantial flexible funds and several staff positions.
Meanwhile, CEO Pedro Martinez is set to depart on June 18, leaving his successor to manage these financial challenges. Community engagement efforts are underway to help guide the search for the next CPS leader. CPS and the Alma Advisory Group have launched a series of public meetings to gather feedback on what qualities the new leader should have. Many attendees have voiced a preference for someone with strong ties to CPS and formal superintendent credentials.
These sessions mark an important moment for public involvement in CPS governance, especially as Chicago still lacks a fully elected school board. While some question the effectiveness of these meetings, turnout by local officials and community members suggests growing interest in shaping the district’s future. A separate event by Kids First Chicago offered a more direct line of communication with board members, allowing the public to raise concerns and engage personally with district leadership.
Chicago Board of Education to Hire New CEO
The Chicago Board of Education has begun its search for a replacement CEO following the removal of Pedro Martinez who is set to depart in June. Martinez was terminated in December of 2024 after disputes with Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson’s newly appointed board. Because his termination comes without cause, his contract entitled him to maintain his position for an additional 6 months.
Applications opened on April 25 as the board actively seeks to find a new CEO. Board President Sean Harden stated, “We are seeking a leader who will think boldly, embrace innovation, and build an equitable, student-centered future.”
The first of ten public engagement meetings began on Thursday, May 15th, encouraging community engagement. Once the meetings have concluded, the board is set to create a “leadership profile” to determine the qualifications and qualities desired in the next CEO. This will be used to evaluate candidates as the board works with a search firm to fill the position.
Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
New Illinois Education Association Survey
According to a new poll released by the Illinois Education Association (IEA), public school funding is a concern for many Illinois residents. The poll, which was conducted on over 1,000 people cites 83% of individuals believe that funding education is an important issue within their community and 16% of individuals believe it is the single most important issue. Of those surveyed, 71% believe Illinois should increase its funding for public schools. Chicago and surrounding suburban residents account for 40% of those surveyed.
This survey illuminates the public perception of the Illinois public school system at large. Overall, Illinois residents have a negative opinion of the state’s public education. IEA’s President, Kathi Griffin claims that 62% of residents think “the state is on the wrong track” concerning public school education. When asked to compare the quality of public schools nationally versus those in Illinois, residents were more likely to give Illinois schools a failing status.
Though many concerns were raised regarding the Illinois public education system, residents have a much higher opinion of teachers as individuals. Around 58% of residents had positive statements about teachers, believing they are underpaid for the necessary work they do. This sentiment is echoed as many individuals believe teachers should be the ones developing standards for students in the public school system. The Illinois Education Association hopes this new information will propel lawmakers to implement changes regarding the funding of Illinois public schools.
Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
CPS Application Result Dates Announced
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has released information regarding application result dates and wait-listing for students applying to choice and selective enrollment schools. Applicants can receive up to one offer for choice and selective enrollment programs. Students applying for high schools (9th grade) will receive their results on March 14th while elementary students from grades K-8 will receive their results on April 11th.
Once results have been released, a rolling waitlist for non-admitted students will be set up. Students offered placement at schools will be given a deadline to decide at which point students on the waitlist will be offered spots accordingly.
Additional deadlines for students who have not yet tested should be noted. Selective enrollment students should request a rescheduled date by February 2nd. The final SEES testing date for 1st-8th graders is February 16th and Kindergarten students will have until February 21st.
Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
CPS and Catholic School Application Process
CPS Applications
All high school and elementary students who wish to apply to CPS schools outside of their neighborhood must apply through GoCPS. Families are required to rank their top choice schools and apply by the extended deadline of December 15th at 5:00 PM. The ranking process requires applicants to order their top 20 choice programs or top 6 selective enrollment schools. Applicants can be offered one choice school option and one selective enrollment option. Students applying to selective enrollment schools or academic centers are required to participate in the testing requirements while all other applicants will be chosen via an independent lottery system or audition process. All offers will be announced in the spring of 2025.
Catholic School Applications
Students looking to test into Catholic Schools are required to complete their applications prior to the coming holiday break. While most students have already completed the required testing for exams, all remaining application requirements must be completed in the coming weeks to be considered for the 2025-26 school year. Students who were unable to test on their originally scheduled test date will be able to attend a make-up test on December 14th at specific schools such as St. Patrick’s and De La Salle.
Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
Academic Center Entrance Exam General Information
Applications for Academic Centers are currently open for registration through gocps.edu. Registration applies to current 6th graders seeking enrollment to Academic Centers for the 2025-2026 school year. Students will have the option to choose between several test dates from mid-January to early February.
Academic Centers are selective enrollment middle schools. Upon admittance, students are guaranteed enrollment into each affiliated high school. Academic Centers include the following seven schools: Kenwood, Morgan Park, Lane Tech, Taft, Lindblom, Brooks, and Whitney Young. The most competitive among these are Whitney Young and Lane Tech.
As the application process is highly competitive, students will be scored on a total of 600 points. 300 potential points will be based on a student’s fifth grade final grades in math, science, English, and social studies. An A in any given subject equates to 75 points, a B equates to 50 points, a C equates to 25 points, and a D/F equates to 0 points. The remaining 300 points will be based on their performance on the Academic Center Entrance Exam.
The Academic Center Entrance Exam is a 90-minute test composed of nine sections. The content on the exam is logic-based and requires the use of abstract thought. Each year nine out of ten potential sections are chosen which include the following: verbal classifications, sentence completion, verbal analogies, sentence arrangement, number series, figural series, figural analogies, number puzzles, matrices, and paper folding. Students will have ten minutes to complete each section.
Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
Chicago Magazine Ranks Best Public High Schools
Chicago Magazine has released its latest rankings of public high schools in the Chicago metropolitan area for the 2024-25 school year, calculated based on four metrics: SAT scores, graduation rates, attendance, and the state's 5Essentials survey, which tracks five indicators such as “effective leadership” and “ambitious instruction.” The list included both city and suburban schools and provides one of the most detailed rankings so far, covering 110 schools across six counties.
In the Chicago city rankings, Northside College Preparatory High School topped the list with high SAT reading and math scores, followed by Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, another selective enrollment school, and Lane Technical High School. Among non-selective or non-charter schools, Back of the Yards College Preparatory ranked highest at No. 10. The top suburban school in Cook County was New Trier Township High School, followed by Glenbrook North High School and John Hersey High School.
Listed below are the top five schools within the city of Chicago:
Northside College Preparatory High School, North Park
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, Near West Side
Albert G. Lane Technical High School, Roscoe Village
William Jones College Preparatory High School, Printers Row
Walter Payton College Preparatory High School, Near North Side
For more information about scoring and to see the full ranking, click here.
Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator
anna@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266