Back to School

Learn about how to enroll your child in school, explore our enrollment procedures and requirements, and read the FAQs below:

• School Enrollment Information [ ENGLISH | SPANISH | POLISH ]
• Request for Emergency and Health Information [ ENGLISH | SPANISH | POLISH ]
• School Messaging Consent Form [ ENGLISH | SPANISH | POLISH ]
• Media Consent Form and Release [ ENGLISH | SPANISH | POLISH ]
• How do I enroll my child in a Chicago Public School?
  Every address in the city of Chicago is assigned to a neighborhood school, and families can enroll in their assigned neighborhood school without applying. To identify the neighborhood school for your child’s grade level, please use the CPS School Locator. Next, contact or visit your neighborhood school to speak with an administrator about the enrollment process.
• How do I apply to a school that is not my child’s designated neighborhood school?
  From September to early December 2021, families can apply to any school in the city that their student is eligible to attend using GoCPS, the district’s online application system. Applications are available for all district and charter high schools, all district elementary schools, and three magnet preschool programs.
• How do I enroll my child in preschool?
  For complete details on Chicago Early Learning, CPS' school-based early childhood program, please visit the Chicago Early Learning (CEL) website or call the CEL Family Hotline at (312) 229-1690.
• How do I obtain school records/transcripts?
  You may be able to obtain records by calling the school directly. If not, please contact the CPS Office of Student Records at 773-553-2340.
• Can children of families who are homeless or in temporary living situations still enroll in school and receive services?
  Yes. To learn more, please contact the Office of Students in Temporary Living Situations at 773-553-2242 for information and support.

To ensure that all students will be safe in our school buildings in the fall, we will continue to implement evidence-based health and safety protocols. We will require that masks or cloth face coverings continue to be worn indoors by everyone, regardless of vaccination status, except for while eating or drinking. This includes students, educators, support staff, and all visitors to school buildings. Face coverings may be removed for outdoor activities, such as recess and some sports activities. We will also ensure that at least three feet of social distancing is maintained whenever possible. Additional health and safety protocols include: 

• Enhanced Cleaning Standards: Enhanced cleaning standards that the district implemented in 2020 will remain in place next school year. There will also be additional support from the 400 custodians the district hired to support re-opening.
• Additional Sanitation Resources for Students and Staff: The district will continue to ensure hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes are available to all students and staff. Additional protective measures, such as sneeze guards, will also remain in place.
• Continued Ventilation and Air Quality Standards: The district will continue to follow industry standards for indoor air quality. This means that we will monitor air quality and provide a HEPA filter for all occupied classrooms and staff spaces. 
• Contact Tracing and Community Notifications: The district will continue to provide timely contact tracing support to schools and will provide notifications to impacted communities. Additionally, for the 2021-22 school year, the district will have a team of 24 contact tracing staff members.
• School and Districtwide Safety Committees: CPS will continue to maintain joint CPS-CTU school-based safety committees, which include principals, teachers, and staff who monitor and address health and safety issues. We will also continue to maintain the CTU-CPS district-wide safety committee to coordinate responses on important health and safety protocols.

Another way students can stay safe from COVID-19 is by getting vaccinated. Currently, all students ages 12 and over can get vaccinated through a variety of opportunities provided by CPS, including its five Back-to-School Bashes and the following three school-based vaccination sites: 

• Chicago Vocational Career Academy, located at 2100 E. 87th St. in Chicago’s Avalon Park neighborhood, is offering walk-in vaccinations from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays.
• Theodore Roosevelt High School, located at 3436 W. Wilson Ave. in Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood, is offering walk-in vaccinations from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.
• Michele Clark High School, located at 5101 W. Harrison St. in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, is offering walk-in vaccinations from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Thursdays. 

The district also encourages students and families to look into other ways to get vaccinated by using the city’s vaccination event calendar, which is separated by region and updated regularly.

Our top priority is keeping all students safe and healthy. In order to do so, CPS has specific health requirements for enrollment. These include:

• Immunizations and physical health exams for some grade levels. 
• An eye exam for some students. 
• A dental exam for some students. 

To find out what's required for your child, please review the 2021-2022 Minimum Health Requirements.

• 2021-22 Minimum Health Requirements for School [ ENGLISH  |  SPANISH ]

CPS Student Health Forms – Booklet [ ENGLISH  |  SPANISH ]

• Minimum Health Requirements [ ENGLISH | SPANISH ]
• Student Medical Information Form [ ENGLISH | SPANISH ]
• Vaccination Flyer (HPV, Flu and COVID-19) [ ENGLISH | SPANISH ]
• Dental Examination Consent Form [ ENGLISH | SPANISH ]
• Vision Program: Schedule An Eye Exam [ ENGLISH | SPANISH ]
• Vision Exam Consent Form [ ENGLISH | SPANISH ]
• Proof of Dental Examination [ ENGLISH | SPANISH ]
• Vision Examination Report [ ENGLISH | SPANISH ]
• Asthma Information and Most Frequently Asked Questions [ ENGLISH | SPANISH ]
• Asthma Action Plan [ ENGLISH | SPANISH ]
• Healthcare Provider Statement for Food Substitution [ ENGLISH | SPANISH ]
• STLS Notice of Rights of Homeless Students [ ENGLISH | SPANISH ]
• Children & Family Benefits (Medicaid/SNAP Flyer) [ ENGLISH | SPANISH ]
• Request for Emergency and Health Information [ ENGLISH | SPANISH | POLISH ]
• School Messaging Consent Form (Robo Call) [ ENGLISH | SPANISH | POLISH ]
• Media Consent Form and Release [ ENGLISH | SPANISH | POLISH ]
• Family Income Information Forms [ ENGLISH | SPANISH ]

For questions about Illinois student health requirements, please contact your school's main office.

• How do I submit proof of immunization and/or health exam?
  The following forms should be completed by your child's doctor's office, and will then be accepted by your child's school to satisfy the health requirements. The school will enter proof of completion in the Student Information System:
  • State of Illinois Child Health Examination Form [ ENGLISH  |  SPANISH ]
  • State of Illinois Proof of Dental Examination Form [ ENGLISH  |  SPANISH ]
  • Early Childhood Health Requirements (Ages 3-5) [ ENGLISH ]
  • State of Illinois Vision Examination Report [ ENGLISH ]
• What do I do if my child has asthma, diabetes, or food allergies?
  Follow the four-step chronic conditions reporting process [ ENGLISH  |  SPANISH ]. Visit Health Forms for Parents and Caregivers to download forms related to food allergy, asthma, diabetes, and the administration of medication.
• How does my family obtain medical insurance?
  CPS encourages all families to have a family doctor. If you are in need of health insurance or need help renewing your health insurance, call 773-553-KIDS (5437). Find the nearest enrollment site and additional information on the Children and Family Benefit Unit (CFBU) website.
• What if I have more questions about student health and wellness?
  Call 773-553-KIDS (5437) or email oshw@cps.edu.

While the vast majority of students will return to school five days a week, CPS anticipates that a small number of students will need to continue remote learning based on medical needs verified by a healthcare provider. 

To support these students, CPS has launched its Virtual Academy: a central model of remote instruction. All instruction in the Virtual Academy will be in compliance with Illinois School Code 10-29. Students will be able to transition back into in-person learning (at the quarter mark for elementary school, and at the semester mark for high school) as needed. All students not enrolled in the Virtual Academy will attend in-person learning next year.

Applications for Virtual Academy will be approved through the Office of Student Health and Wellness. Students who meet the medical fragility requirements and want to enroll in the Virtual Academy may apply by having a licensed medical provider complete the COVID-19 Health Eligibility form [ ENGLISH | SPANISH ]. This form should be emailed to virtualenrollment@cps.edu or faxed to 773-553-6563 to the attention of Virtual Enrollment.

The district is hosting five Back-to-School Bashes to allow students and families to reconnect with their school communities and prepare for a safe and productive start to the upcoming school year. Each bash will also have opportunities to get vaccinated against COVID-19. They are free to attend and advance registration is not required. More information about each bash can be found below. 

CPS provides all students free breakfast and lunch meals. Some schools also serve after-school snacks, after-school suppers, Saturday meals, and summer meals. Students enrolled in the district’s Virtual Academy can pick up meals at their nearest school or sign up for meal deliveries.

Check out the CPS menu, and if you have questions, please email food@cps.edu.

As an extra resource for students who purchase milk in elementary school or a la carte in high school, the Office of Nutrition Support Services is excited to offer MySchoolBucks®! This online payment service provides a quick and easy way to add money to your student's meal account using a credit/debit card or electronic check. Learn more.

For questions about student health and wellness, call (773) 553-KIDS (5437) or email the Office of Student Health and Wellness at oshw@cps.edu.

It’s important for you and your child to be prepared for the first day of school, and checking this list of recommended school supplies is the best way to make sure our students have everything they need.

The school supply list is subject to change per teacher request. Please contact your child’s school to get a complete list of the school supplies needed for the upcoming school year. School contact information is available on the CPS School Locator.

Pre-K through Kindergarten

• Large pencils
• Large crayons
• Washable markers
• Scissors
• Glue sticks
• Kleenex, paper towels

Grades 1–3

• Pencils
• Pocket folders
• Notebook
• Crayons
• Washable markers
• Pencil-top erasers
• Supply box
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Kleenex, paper towels

Grades 4-6

• Pencils
• Pocket folders
• Notebook
• Crayons
• Washable markers
• Pencil-top erasers
• Supply box
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Kleenex, paper towels
• Pocket folders
• Watercolor paints
• Sketch pads

Grades 7 and 8

• Same as the above, plus:
  • Colored pencils
  • Spiral notebooks
  • Wide-ruled notebook paper
  • Additional folders
  • Dictionary
  • Calculator
  • Assignment notebook

Grades 9-12

• Same as Grades 7 and 8, plus:
  • Subject specific supplies provided by teachers

• Enrollment Procedures/ Requirements - poster [ ENGLISH | SPANISH | POLISH ]
• Student Rights & Responsibilities (formerly the Student Code of Conduct) – booklet  [ ENGLISH | SPANISH | POLISH | ARABIC  | CHINESE ]   
• Parent and Student Calendars – flyer  [ ENGLISH | SPANISH | POLISH ]
• Safety Is Everybody’s Responsibility – brochure  [ ENGLISH | SPANISH | POLISH ]
• High School Graduation Requirements – flyer [ ENGLISH | SPANISH | POLISH | ARABIC | CHINESE | URDU ]
• Elementary School Promotion Policy Benchmark Grades 3, 6 and 8 – flyer [ ENGLISH | SPANISH | POLISH ] SY21-22 versions will be available before Q1 Elementary Parent-Teacher Conference Day
• Directory and Recruiter Opt-Out Information Sheet/Form [ ENGLISH | SPANISH | POLISH ]  
• Chicago Connected – flyer  [ ENGLISH | SPANISH ]
• Aspen Parent Portal – flyer  [ ENGLISH ]

Get your technology ready for school by logging into or setting up your CPS account. This will give you access to all the Google Tools needed for classroom activities.

All students are issued a CPS account upon enrollment; however, students who have never logged in to their account will need to claim their account before they can access their email and other CPS applications.

Log-Into Your Account

• To log into your CPS account, visit cps.edu/portal.

Reset Your Password 

• If you do not remember your CPS account information, follow the steps in our password reset guide
• You can also go to cps.edu/portal and click Forgot Password. All you need are the answers to your three challenge questions. Don't know your challenge questions? Call your school.

Claim Your Account 

• If your child does not have a CPS.edu account, follow these instructions for how to set up an account for the first time, also known as “claiming an account.”

First time logging in?

• Go to cps.edu/portal and click on New User. Set up your account. All you need are your legal first name, your Student ID Number for your claim code and your birthday (YYYYMMDD).
• Don't know your Student ID Number? Check your last progress report, report card or your Student ID Card.

Need help? 

• For CPS student account support before the first day of school, please contact your school.
• After the first day of school, ask your teacher for help with logging in to your CPS account.

Despite the immense challenges presented by COVID-19, Chicago Public Schools remains committed to providing every student from every neighborhood with the high-quality education they deserve. We have consistently followed the science and have worked to ensure that health, safety, and equity continue to guide all of our decisions. The overwhelming consensus from educators and public health experts is that the best, safest place for students is in the classroom, and we are implementing the proper health and safety protocols to ensure our school buildings are ready to welcome staff and students back for the first day of school on Monday, August 30. 

CPS has been meeting with Chicago Teachers’ Union (CTU) leadership regularly this summer, and negotiations in preparation for the return to the classroom this fall remain ongoing. We are committed to reaching an agreement that will provide for a smooth and cooperative start to the 2021-22 school year and that will offer students the rigorous, well-rounded educational experience they need to thrive while also keeping our school communities healthy and safe.

As a demonstration of our commitment to transparency, we are providing an overview of the issues currently being negotiated with the CTU. While we are in agreement on the vast majority of issues as the Fall Proposals document illustrates, it also provides clarity around the issues that we are still negotiating. The district is committed to reaching a deal, and we hope CTU leadership will act with the sense of urgency needed to find a resolution that meets the needs of our students and staff.

View Fall Proposals

Quick Links

• CPS School Locator
  Search for your child’s school and find out school-specific information, including your school’s address, hours, and contact information.
• Parent Portal
  The new Aspen Parent Portal is a unique web-based tool that allows you to securely view your child's grades and attendance online.
• Student Code of Conduct (SCC)
  The SCC helps create a safe environment for all students and school personnel by defining expected behaviors for students and a transparent process for administrators to redirect inappropriate behavior.
• Attendance and Truancy
  Explore our attendance and truancy resources if you are looking for ways to support your child and their daily attendance.

Health and Wellness Resources

• Health Insurance and SNAP Enrollment Assistance
  For help applying for health insurance or the SNAP (Food Stamps) program, please connect with us in one of the following ways:
  • Call our Healthy CPS Hotline at 773-553-KIDS (5437).
  • Fill out our Healthy CPS Encounter Form and we will call you.
  • See a list of our school-based enrollment sites or access the CPS Children and Family Benefits Units Sites Map.
• Students in Temporary Living Situations (STLS)
  Whatever your temporary situation is, every school is required to offer STLS services and resources that can help you get to school and stay in school. To receive these services, ask to see the STLS liaison at your school and explain that you are in a temporary living situation. Visit Students in Temporary Living Situations for more information.

Academic and Career Resources

• Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs
  CTE is a collection of high school programs that prepare students for life-long success. Students receive a college-prep education as well as technical skills that allow them to graduate from high school with more than a high school diploma. For more information, please visit the CTE website.
  Guide  |  Postcard
• Early College Opportunities*
  • Dual Enrollment (DE)
    This traditional dual enrollment program allows high school juniors and seniors to take a college course at one of the City Colleges of Chicago for FREE! Students can enroll in one course during fall, spring, and summer semesters. Students frequently enroll in English, Mathematics, Foreign Languages, Science, and Literature. Students may also want to consider enrolling in career pathway courses, including Automotive, Business, Early Childhood Development, Logistics, Information Technology, and more.

General

• When does school begin?
  The first day of school is Monday, August 30, 2021. However, note that some charter school start dates differ.
• Is it too late to register my child for the coming school year?
  No. To learn more about your options, read the Enrollment FAQ section below or visit the Enrollment tab.
• What are the bell times for my child's school?
  Bell times vary by school. To learn what the bell times are for your child's school, search for the school using the CPS School Info Map or call their main office.
• What is the dress code at my child's school?
  Information on dress codes can be obtained by contacting your child's school directly. Contact information for your child's school can be found by using the CPS School Info Map.

Transportation

• My child needs a CTA/Bus (Ventra) pass.
  To learn more about Ventra passes for CPS students, please contact your school directly. Contact information for your child's school can be found by using the CPS School Info Map.
• My child needs transportation services.
  To find out if your child is eligible for transportation assistance, please visit Transportation Information, or call the CPS Office of Transportation Services at 773-553-2860.
• What are the Safe Passage Routes for my School?
  To learn more about Safe Passage, visit the Safe Passage website or contact your child's school. Contact information for your child's school can be found by entering the school name into the CPS School Info Map.

Enrollment

• How do I enroll my child in a Chicago Public School?
  Every address in the city of Chicago is assigned to a neighborhood school, and families can enroll in their assigned neighborhood school without applying. To identify the neighborhood school for your child’s grade level, please use the CPS School Info Map. Next, contact or visit your desired school to speak with an administrator about the enrollment process. Students who need to continue remote learning in the 2021-22 school year based on medical needs verified by a healthcare provider are eligible to enroll in the district’s Virtual Academy: a fully remote, centralized model of instruction.
• How do I apply to a school that is not my designated neighborhood school?
  From September to early December 2021, families can apply to any school in the city that their student is eligible to attend using GoCPS, the district’s online application system. Applications are available for all district and charter high schools, all district elementary schools, and three magnet preschool programs.
• How do I enroll my child in preschool?
  Learn about CPS' school-based early childhood program on the Chicago Early Learning website or call the Office of Early Childhood Education at 773-553-2010.
• How do I obtain school records/transcripts?
  You may be able to obtain records by calling the school directly. If not, please visit Student Records and Transcripts or call 773-553-2340.
• Can children of families who are homeless or in temporary living situations still enroll in school and receive services?
  Yes. For information and support, please contact the Office of Students in Temporary Living Situations by phone at 773-553-2242 or email at STLSInformation@cps.edu. Learn more about how CPS protects the educational rights of students who do not live in permanent housing. 

Health and Wellness

• What are the minimum health requirements to enroll my child in school?
  You can find information and resources on the Health Requirements tab.
• How do I register my child for free or reduced lunch?
  All students can eat school meals every day for free! Families no longer need to fill out forms to receive meals. All schools serve breakfast and lunch daily. Be sure to ask if your school has other meal programs available, such as after school snack, after-school supper, Saturday meals, or summer meals. Students enrolled in the district’s Virtual Academy can pick up meals at their nearest school or sign up for meal deliveries.
• Where can I take my child to receive a vision or dental exam?
  To find the nearest locations to you, please call 773-553-KIDS (5437) or email the Office of Student Health and Wellness at oshw@cps.edu.
• Where can I take my child to receive vaccinations?
  You can find information on vaccinations and other CPS minimum health requirements on the Health Requirements tab. To locate a health center who can provide a physical exam or vaccinations, visit https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/.

Diverse Learners

• I have questions about my child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Who can I contact with my questions?
  You can contact the Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services at 773-553-1800.
• My child may have diverse learning needs. How can I get them evaluated?
  Please contact the Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services at 773-553-1800.

Chicago Public Schools’ foundation, The Children First Fund, offers a range of opportunities to support CPS students and schools, including supply drives and other Back to School engagements. Click the Donate button to learn more.

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