It’s the time of year again! Chicago Public Schools (CPS)will open its applications for the 2027-2028 school year on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 10am; the deadline to apply is November 13, 2026, at 5pm.

Families with students entering kindergarten through 8th grade (elementary school) next fall may submit a FREE application for open seats across the city during this fall's application period. CPS preschool (PK3 and PK 4) programs have spring applications that open in April.

[Related: How to apply for CPS preschools]

In CPS, a student is guaranteed a spot their neighborhood school between Kindergarten to 12th grade, but students are never required to attend their neighborhood school. Students can submit an application for up to two main types of programs beyond their guaranteed school:

Magnet Schools and Lottery Admission Programs

These include magnet schools (programs with a specific focus area), magnet cluster schools (neighborhood schools with a specific focus area), and open enrollment schools (neighborhood schools accepting students outside of their boundaries). A completed Choice Elementary Application is required and seats are determined via computerized lottery WITH NO TESTING INVOLVED.

Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools (SEES)

These include Classical Schools, Regional Gifted Centers (RGC) and Academic Centers for middle schoolers, as well as three English Language Learner (ELL) RGCs.

Completed selective enrollment elementary school applications (Academic Centers and ELL programs are separate from Classical/RGC programs) are required and students are selected through a TESTING PROCESS.

For kindergarten entry at any CPS school, children must be age 5 by September 1 of the year they are entering kindergarten. (The only exception is via the Illinois Accelerated Placement Act.)

Here's an abbreviated guide to getting the application process started in 5 manageable steps:

1. Create an Online Family Account at GoCPS

You can add a student and toggle “yes” or “no” on whether they have a CPS Student ID. If you need assistance, contact CPS directly at 773-553-2060 or email them at gocps@cps.edu.

Applications are due by November 13, 2026 (so far, as dates can change, so check directly at go.cps.edu).

2. Apply

Select the schools for which you want to apply via Choice Elementary (lottery) and/or SEES (test required) applications. You can apply to both categories of schools in one application and receive a single offer for each application type.

• For the Choice Elementary application: You can choose up to 20 schools with no ranking required for the lottery. 

• For the selective enrollment elementary school application: You can choose AND RANK up to 6 Classical and/or Regional Gifted Center (RGC) programs for selection by test scores.

• Rank your choices: You can rank your selected programs in order of preference by clicking the up and down arrows to move it to the desired place on your lists.

• Note: CPS Tiers are only considered for citywide Magnet and Selective Enrollment programs in the entry year only.

3. Schedule a Test Date 

(This step is for selective enrollment elementary school programs only).

After submitting your choices, you will be asked to choose a selective enrollment school test date via your portal.

There are separate tests for Classical Schools and Regional Gifted Centers.

If applying to kindergarten, both tests will be administered at the same session. If applying to older grades for both types selective enrollment programs, your child your child will be tested in small groups on separate dates.

Testing will occur from November through February, or until all applicants have been tested.

4. Submit Your Online Application

Submit by 5pm CST on November 13. You should receive instant confirmation of your online application. Notification letters and test results will be posted to your online application portal by March 2027.

5. Visit the Schools You Are Most Interested In

This is a very important step in the process and ideally should be done before you select schools and submit your application.

Check out the NPN School Directory to get an overview of each school, contact schools for virtual or in-person tour dates and open houses, and try to connect with parents whose children attend the schools you are considering.

Bear in mind that the “most talked about” schools might not be the best fit for your child. Also, don’t underestimate your own neighborhood school, as it may be a “hidden gem” and the perfect place for your child—and for you and your family to become part of an active school community.

[Related: CPS 101 video (members only)]

These are just the basic steps in the CPS application process. Please note that there may be variations to these steps, depending on the particular programs and/or grades your child is applying to. Visit the GoCPS FAQs for more information and details.

Remember: No Application or Deadline is Required for Your Neighborhood School

Every street address in the city is assigned to a neighborhood school where your child is guaranteed a seat. However, keep in mind that the public school nearest to your home may not necessarily be your neighborhood school (even if it’s right across the street!).

Enter your primary residential address on the CPS School Locator to determine your neighborhood school. Then contact the school directly for a registration timeline and other pertinent information for incoming students and families.

Want more info? Visit go.cps.edu to learn more about CPS acceptance and notification letters and follow the CPS conversations on the NPN Discussion Forum.

Updated Fall 2026