Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a large urban district consisting of 420,000 students and 623 schools. More than 85% of CPS students are from low-income families, and 90% are nonwhite. Chicago is also geographically large, spanning 26 miles in length and covering over 228 square miles. The student population and sheer size of the district make it particularly difficult for CPS to diversify its schools through a comprehensive choice program. Regardless of these challenges, CPS has succeeded in enrolling over 30% of its students in choice options at schools that are not the students’ designated neighborhood schools.

The Chicago district offers a range of options at the elementary level including 409 traditional elementary schools, 41 magnet schools, 16 middle schools, 12 regional gifted centers, 6 Academic Centers, and 56 comprehensive gifted programs. High school options include 6 magnet schools, 8 selective enrollment high schools, and 21 small schools, among various other options. In addition, the Office of New Schools has rapidly opened and supported new schools such as charters, and will soon debut performance and contract schools. Mayor Richard Daley, who exercises control over CPS, has made it a priority to replace unsuccessful schools with innovative new schools.

In a district so geographically large and with so many schools, it has proven difficult for parents to learn about choice options. But CPS has continued unfettered, adopting numerous innovative ways to educate parents and the public and support schools.