How Many Seats Are There for the Student Population?
Student Population
Students who reside in region, including those who attend school out of region
Since 2021-22, the number of students living in the West Side has decreased by 242 students (0.7%). Within that, the K-8 population has decreased by 491 students (2.1%), while the 9-12 population has increased by 8 students (0.1%).
In comparison, the overall district population has decreased by 1.5% during the same period. The K-8 population has decreased by 2.0% and the 9-12 population has decreased by 3.2%.
Students Residing in Region Over Time
Students Residing in Region Over Time
NOTE: Enrollment data is from the annual 20th-day count (September 23, 2024).
Student Enrollment
Students who attend school in the region, including those who reside out of the region
Since 2021-22, the number of students enrolling in the West Side region has decreased by 1,488 students (5.5%). Within that, K-8 enrollment has decreased by 857 students (4.4%), while 9-12 enrollment has decreased by 731 students (11.6%). Within the region, enrollment has decreased at a rate greater than the overall district student population decrease.
In comparison, there have been fewer students enrolling in the region than living in the region. This indicates that some students are choosing to enroll in other school options outside of the West Side region.
Students Attending in Region Over Time
Students Attending in Region Over Time
Seats and Enrollment
There are 29,278 more seats than students enrolled in the region, including 20,336 elementary school seats and 8,942 high school seats.
Number of Seats vs. Enrollment in Elementary and High School Buildings
Number of Seats vs. Enrollment in Elementary and High School Buildings
NOTE: Enrollment and seats figures listed here do not include Pre-K and Cluster students. The number of seats is the adjusted ideal capacity of the school building or the charter contract enrollment cap. Elementary grade students enrolled in combination K-12 schools are grouped into the high school category.
How Many Pre-Kindergarten Seats Are There for the Student Population?
Total Pre-K Seats and Enrollment
In the West Side region, there are 1,830 Pre-K seats, 84% of which are in full-day programs and 16% in half-day programs.
Full- and Half-Day Pre-K Seats in Region
Full- and Half-Day Pre-K Seats in Region
In the West Side region, there were 1,294 students enrolled in Pre-K as of the 20th day of school (September 23, 2024), 86% of which were in a full-day program. 73% of Pre-K students were 4-year-olds, while 26% were 3-year-olds. Pre-K students continue to enroll over the course of the school year.
3- and 4-Year-Old Pre-K Enrollment in Region
3- and 4-Year-Old Pre-K Enrollment in Region
There were 536 unfilled Pre-K seats in the West Side region as of the 20th day of school (September 23, 2024), 404 of which were full-day seats. The full-day programs were 74% filled while the half-day programs were 56% filled. Pre-K enrollment continues to occur over the course of the school year.
Full- and Half-Day Pre-K Enrollment vs. Seats in Region
Full- and Half-Day Pre-K Enrollment vs. Seats in Region
NOTE: Pre-K enrollment totals are from the 20th day of school in 2024-25 and include all students aged 3 or 4. Some totals exclude students who were enrolled in Pre-K but not scheduled to a half-day or full-day classroom on the 20th day (September 23, 2024).
Pre-K seat allocations are updated yearly based on demand, enrollment trends, space availability, and the capacity of nearby Community-Based Organization Pre-K programs. Allocation decisions also prioritize access for Pre-K students with disabilities.
Full-Day Pre-K Seats and Enrollment
In the West Side region, there has been a decrease of 360 full-day seats over the past four years, a 19.0% decrease. This number has decreased by 100 seats since last school year.
Full-Day Pre-K Seats in Region Over Time
Full-Day Pre-K Seats in Region Over Time
NOTE: Pre-K enrollment totals are from the 20th day of school in 2024-25 and include all students aged 3 or 4. Some totals exclude students who were enrolled in Pre-K but not scheduled to a half-day or full-day classroom on the 20th day (September 23, 2024).
Full-day Pre-K programs are typically favored by parents and have been shown to be more effective in preparing students for kindergarten. CPS also offers half-day programs for three-year-olds based on community demand and the needs of students with disabilities.
4-Year-Old Enrollment Over Time
In 2024-25, there was no change in the enrollment of 4-year-olds in full-day Pre-K programs in the West Side region. Over the past four years, there has been a 2.3% decrease in enrollment (22 students) of 4-year-olds in full-day Pre-K programs.
4-Year-Old Pre-K Enrollment in Region Over Time
4-Year-Old Pre-K Enrollment in Region Over Time
NOTE: Pre-K enrollment totals are from the 20th day of school in 2024-25 and include all students aged 3 or 4. Some totals exclude students who were enrolled in Pre-K but not scheduled to a half-day or full-day classroom on the 20th day (September 23, 2024).
Pre-K Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity
The proportion of Pre-K students identifying as Black is 72% compared to 70% of Kindergarten students, while the proportion of Pre-K students identifying as Latinx is 22% compared to 27% of Kindergarten students. For most regions, the racial/ethnic identities of students are similar in both Pre-K and Kindergarten. In some cases, the proportion of each racial/ethnic group may change when comparing Pre-K to Kindergarten.
Pre-K and Kindergarten Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity
Pre-K and Kindergarten Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity
NOTE: Pre-K enrollment totals are from the 20th day of school in 2024-25 and include all students aged 3 or 4. Some totals exclude students who were enrolled in Pre-K but not scheduled to a half-day or full-day classroom on the 20th day (September 23, 2024).