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Preschool to High School, Public & Private, Chicago School GPS will guide you to your School Destination
Students have returned to school which means it's time for parents to learn about the next application cycle and school options.
The Annual Rite of School Applications Begins
A new school year means parents can go Back to Learn, too!

Whether your child will be entering their first school or finishing their high school years, now is a great time to brush up on what is required for success in school applications. Join Chicago School GPS as we assist parents in understanding the Preschool through College application process.
  • Apply one year before a program begins
  • Most Kindergarten programs have an age cutoff of 5 years old by Sept 1st
  • Elementary schools typically go through 8th grade, high schools serve 9th-12th grades
  • Your neighborhood school has no application and no deadline, just registration
  • CPS applications will be open from Sept 14- Dec 2, 2022
  • Private school applications can have a firm deadline or rolling admissions
  • Learn what is required at informational sessions and school fairs (see below)
Key Timing For Your Child's School Search
Typically apply one year before a program begins

While it may seem best to apply to a school or program when your student will be starting at the youngest class or grade, know that there are also attrition spots (upper year opportunities) that may have less competition. Below are guidelines for targeting the "first year" of a program: 
  • Daycare can start as early as 6 weeks and applications are accepted on a rolling basis (some before the baby arrives), with most going up through 4 years old
  • Private preschools with elementary programs oftentimes start at 3 (and must be potty trained) or 4 years old, with some additional programs starting earlier for siblings or Parent/Tot classes
  • Preschool through Chicago Early Learning can start at 3 y.o. for community based sites while free Universal PreK for 4 y.o. is hosted at CPS school based sites or Early Learning Centers. Applications for 3 & 4 year olds entering in Fall 2023 will be open starting Spring 2023
  • CPS Suder & Drummond Montessori schools start at 3 y.o, continue to 8th grade and require the GoCPS application
  • Most CPS elementary programs (neighborhood, magnet, selective enrollment, etc) begin at 5 y.o. Kindergarten with Choice & Selective Enrollment school applications (and testing for selective enrollment) open in the Fall one year prior
  • CPS Academic Centers start at 7th grade (but consider 5th grade grades in their rubric) and are housed in high schools
  • High school starts in 9th grade but many consider grades from 7th grade and entrance exams may be required in 8th grade
  • College applications can be due as early as mid-October or early November of senior year
For all programs, know that transfers are possible as your child's needs or family's needs may change, and no school is perfect. View last month's CSG Newsletter for some helpful tips as well.
Learn the Basics at School Fairs & Seminars
Talk with public & private school reps and attend a primer

Whatever age your child is, there will be a seminar or talk by Chicago School GPS aimed at getting you on track to understand your options and save hours of research time. 

Searching for Preschool & Elementary? Learn about Universal PreK (9-9:45am) as well as CPS 101 (12:15-1:15pm) and visit public & private school representatives during the NPN Preschool and Elementary School Fair, Sept 24 @ 9am-1pm at the UIC Student Center East, 750 S. Halsted.
Register for NPN Preschool & Elementary Fair 9/24/22 @ 9am-1pm
Searching for CPS Selective Enrollment Elementary? Learn about CPS Selective Enrollment Gifted and Classical Elementary Admissions and Testing on Oct 1 @ 10am-12:30pm VIRTUALLY
Register for SEES Admissions & Testing 10/1/22 @ 10am-12:30pm
Searching for High School? Middle school students and parents can learn about High School Admissions, Testing, International Baccalaureate, Executive Functioning and more while visiting over 40 Public, Private and Boarding High Schools and Resources at the IN PERSON 2022 Hidden Gems High School Fair, Oct 2 @ 1-4pm at the British International School of Chicago, 161 W. 9th Street, Chicago. Share our flyer
Register for 2022 Hidden Gems High School Fair 10/2/22 @ 1-4pm
Apply to CPS from 9/14/22 - 12/2/22 for PK3-9th
Schedule admissions events such as testing, auditions 

Those interested in Chicago Public School programs from 3 year old Montessori to 9th grade high school options should spend some time on the recently revamped GoCPS website. Many resources for application guidance can be reviewed now, before applications open on Wednesday, September 14 and close on Friday, December 2. Families should apply via the GoCPS login portal one year before a program begins but do not have to rush to apply on the opening date. We recommend families submit a few days before the closing date, however. Learn more about GoCPS programming and processes HERE.
Private & CPS High School Testing Information
Eighth graders may have many tests to take this Fall

Current 8th grade students applying to high school this fall for Fall 2023 entry may have to take a multitude of entrance exams, depending on which types of schools they are applying to.
  • Most CPS high school programs such as selective enrollment, magnet, International Baccalaureate, Service Academies, career and technical education CTE, require the CPS administered High School Admissions Test (CPS HSAT)
    • CPS 8th graders will take the CPS HS Admissions Test in school on October 26
    • Non-CPS 8th graders can select November 5, 6, 12 or 13 to test at a CPS site
  • Most Catholic high schools require students take the High School Placement Test (HSPT) on December 3 @ 8am at their first choice Catholic high school
  • Some independent schools require 8th graders take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) which can be taken once each fall, winter and spring season

CONTACT US / SERVICES

Chicago School GPS saves you from frustration and confusion!  We guide you step by step through the public and private school search process and stay on top of the latest school news, so you don't have to!

Our Services range from quick phone conversations to customized personal consultations to tailored group sessions. We can help you strategize your family's school options to prepare for successful admissions. Save hours of research by spending a few minutes with us!  


Have a book club, school, playgroup or professional organization with similar educational needs and questions? Contact us to schedule a private group session!

CSG Informational Seminars:
9/24/22 @ 9am-1pm- NPN Preschool & Elementary Fair w/seminars on Universal PK & CPS 101
10/1/22 @ 10am-12:30pm- CPS Elementary Gifted & Classical Admissions & Testing seminar by CSG & CTC
10/2/22 @ 1-4pm- Hidden Gems High School Fair w/seminars on Admissions, Testing, Exec Functioning, IB, etc

Contact us if you would like to sponsor a group seminar or visit us at ChiSchoolGPS to see our seminar schedule. 
Need personalized help? Schedule a virtual CSG 30, 60 or 90 Min Initial Consultation!  
 
  • Sep 14- GoCPS application for Fall 2023 opens
  • Oct 26- CPS HS Admissions Test for CPS 8th graders
  • Nov 5, 6, 12, 13- CPS HS Admissions Test for non-CPS 8th graders
  • Dec 2- GoCPS application for Fall 2023 closes

CSG Calendar CALENDAR

Virtual and in person Open House dates for Preschool through High School tours are listed as we find out about them. If you are a school, let us know of any tours or open houses to share with families. 

We offer our same confidence building approach to college admissions via our subsidiary, College Search Guidance. We take the stress out of your family's college search & application process.
Matriculation Sessions for Schools & Daycares
CSG offers a range of matriculation services to assist families

If your school, daycare or organization is looking to help your families navigate that next step on their educational journeys, reach out to Chicago School GPS as we can custom tailor group information sessions, one on one matriculation counseling or anything your organization requires to serve as your overall resource that stays up to date on Chicago school admissions. We are scheduling fall sessions now, so Contact Us!
LEARN THE LATEST

Follow us on social media to get public and private school admissions news as it happens, or join the discussion forum at chicagoschooloptions. This is also a place to informally crowdsource RGC & Classical "cut off scores" since CPS does not publish those scores. 
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