Homeroom Chicago

Enrollment guide

How CPS elementary enrollment works

Every Chicago child is guaranteed a seat at their neighborhood school. GoCPS is how families apply to anything other than that seat - magnet, gifted, classical, IB, dual language, and open-enrollment programs across the city. Here is the whole cycle in order.

2027–28 elementary application windowOpens Wed, Sept 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM · Closes Fri, Nov 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM

The timeline

  1. 1ExploreSpring & summer, a year ahead

    Research schools and build your list

    Families explore about a year before the school year they're applying for. Tour schools, go to open houses, and note the programs each school offers.

    • Use Homeroom to learn about each school's community, from hours and aftercare to recess and parent groups
    • Find your neighborhood school by address - every child is guaranteed a seat there
    • Tour schools and attend open houses in the fall, then add what you learn to Homeroom and save the schools you like to your tour list
  2. 2ApplySept 9, 2026, 10:00 AM – Nov 13, 2026, 5:00 PM

    Submit one GoCPS application

    For the 2027–28 school year, the elementary application window runs from September 9 to November 13, 2026. You rank up to 20 elementary choices on a single application - you do not apply school by school.

    • Create or log in to your GoCPS account before the window opens
    • Rank programs in true order of preference - ranking does not hurt your odds
    • Some selective programs require testing; watch for your assigned test date
    • Submit before 5:00 PM on the deadline - late applications are not accepted
  3. 3ResultsSpring

    Review offers and waitlists

    Families who applied by the fall deadline get results in the spring through their GoCPS account. You may receive one offer from the choice/selective process plus waitlist positions.

    • Accept or decline your offer by the stated deadline
    • Declining an offer does not remove your guaranteed neighborhood seat
    • Waitlists move over the spring and summer - keep your contact info current
  4. 4EnrollSpring through the first day of school

    Register at the school

    Accepting an offer is not the same as enrolling. Contact the school to complete registration and turn in required documents before the school year starts.

    • Complete registration with the school office
    • Turn in health and immunization forms
    • Ask about before/after care sign-ups - those often fill early

What you need to enroll

The first time a child enrolls at a CPS school, the parent or guardian must prove the child's age, Chicago residency, and submit required medical forms before the school year starts.

  • Proof of the child's age (birth certificate or equivalent)
  • Two proofs of your current Chicago address
  • Proof of guardianship or custodianship, if applicable
  • Immunization records and required health exams
  • Dental and vision exams for certain grade levels
  • IEP or 504 plan, if your child has one

Requirements vary by grade and program. Always confirm the current list on the CPS site or with the school office.

Official links

GoCPS application portal Create an account, rank programs, and view resultsGoCPS elementary overview The three phases: Explore, Apply, ResultsCPS enrollment requirements & forms Full document checklist and downloadable formsFind your neighborhood school Look up the guaranteed school for your address

Office of Access & Enrollment: 773-553-2060 · gocps@cps.edu

Browse schoolsEvery CPS elementary school, with parent-reported details.Build your tour listRank the schools on your tour list before you apply.GoCPS FAQProximity, tiers, waitlists and the terms parents keep hitting.

Homeroom is a parent-built project and is not affiliated with Chicago Public Schools. Dates and requirements come from CPS - confirm them on cps.edu before you rely on them.