Chicago Public Schools opens applications for free full- and half-day prekindergarten next school year

Chicago Public Schools opened preschool applications for the 2024-25 school year Tuesday, offering full-day programs to families of children who will be 4 as of Sept. 1 and half-day programs to children who will be 3.

“We are excited to welcome children across the city to apply for our free high-quality preschool programs,” CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said in a news release. “It’s important to us that families are aware of their options for preschool, and can start this important part of their children’s educational journey.”

Research has shown quality prekindergarten programs can improve academic outcomes and children’s well-being. In CPS, students from low-income backgrounds who attended full-day, district-run prekindergarten had higher third-grade reading and math scores than their peers in half-day programs, who were more likely to repeat a grade, a Journal of the American Medical Association study published in November found.

According to CPS, the vast majority — 88% — of district preschool programs achieved the highest possible rating, the Gold Circle of Quality, in an independent state-approved review of the learning environment, teaching, administration and training provided.

City of Chicago Health Atlas data show an estimated 53.2% of children ages 3 to 4, on average across the city, were enrolled in preschool from 2018-2022. Among Chicago’s 77 community areas, the estimated rate was as low as 10.4%, in Archer Heights, and as high as 99.9%, in Burnside.

As of last school year, CPS said it had fulfilled a 2018 promise to provide universal full-day pre-K to all children age 4 in every community area in the city. Programs for children age 3 are not available in every community area.

In total, according to district data, more than 13,000 pre-K students age 4 and around 4,500 age 3 were enrolled in the CPS as of the start of this school year, when officials attributed the first enrollment increase in 12 years in large part to expanded, full-day preschool.

“CPS pre-K classrooms are joyful learning environments that set a strong foundation for future success in school and ignite a lifelong passion for learning,” Chief of Early Childhood Education Leslie McKinily said in a news release.

Families can explore programs in their neighborhood and also submit applications via CPS’ Early Learning site. On May 22, the district will provide placement notifications to families who submit applications by the end of this month.