Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Public Schools is the fourth-largest U.S. school district, serving 315,000+ pre-K through grade 12 students across 600+ schools in Chicago with a $10.2 billion budget, funded by state appropriations, property taxes, federal grants, and private philanthropy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1837
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Chicago Public Schools does
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the fourth-largest public school district in the United States, founded in 1837 and operating as a government entity under the Illinois School Code and Chicago Board of Education. The district serves more than 315,000 students from pre-K through grade 12 across 600+ traditional, magnet, charter, and contract schools in Chicago, supplemented by the CPS Virtual Academy for medically fragile K-12 students and an early childhood portal. CPS runs a $10.2 billion FY2025 operating budget funded primarily through Illinois state appropriations, Chicago property taxes, federal grants (Title I, IDEA, school meal programs), and supplementary private philanthropy from partners including Lollapalooza, Amazon Future Engineer, Salesforce, Fermilab, Grainger, and ComEd. Digital infrastructure includes the cps.edu hub, GoCPS enrollment platform, Aspen parent/student portal, SchooLinks college and career planning tool, a supplier portal with MFA, and an AI Guidebook governing responsible AI use across the district. Strategic programs span STEM, Career and Technical Education, All-City Performing Arts, Chi-Craft Minecraft quantum education, dual language, and newcomer services. The district is led by CEO/Superintendent Macquline King (permanently appointed March 2026) and faces material fiscal headwinds: a projected $732-743 million deficit, $9.1 billion long-term debt, $13.9 billion unfunded pension liabilities, junk bond ratings from all three major agencies, declining enrollment, planned teacher layoffs, and a federal funding freeze on the Black Student Success Program.
Chicago Public Schools firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Chicago Public Schools
- Legal name
- Chicago Public Schools
- Website
- https://cps.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1837
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Chicago Public Schools is the fourth-largest U.S. school district, serving 315,000+ pre-K through grade 12 students across 600+ schools in Chicago with a $10.2 billion budget, funded by state appropriations, property taxes, federal grants, and private philanthropy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Chicago Public Schools industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public K-12 Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public School Districts (K–12) (EDADABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE), Full-Time Virtual K–12 Schools (Statewide/Cyber Charters & District Programs) (EDAJADAA)
Keywords
Where Chicago Public Schools is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Chicago Public Schools business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- State and Local Tax Revenue: Primary funding from Illinois state appropriations and Chicago property taxes, supplemented by local levies
- Federal Grants and Programs: Federal funding including Title I, IDEA (special education), and previously COVID relief funds; some funding currently frozen or under dispute
- School Meals Program: Federal meal programs (SNAP integration) providing free breakfast and lunch to all students daily
- Private Grants and Donations: Philanthropic funding from organizations like Lollapalooza ($1.7M grant), Walsh-VINCI ($250,000 scholarship), Salesforce ($19M national grant), and others
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free public K-12 education for all Chicago residents |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Chicago Public Schools product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Chicago Public Schools provides free public K-12 education to more than 315,000 students across over 600 traditional, magnet, selective enrollment, charter, and contract schools in the City of Chicago. Core offerings include standard classroom instruction, pre-kindergarten programs, special education, career and technical education, STEM and arts programming, English language learner support, immigrant and refugee services, mental health and wellness services, free school meals, student transportation, and a fully online Virtual Academy for medically fragile students.
Product overview
Chicago Public Schools operates as a large urban school district offering a platform of educational services and digital tools. The district's primary digital infrastructure includes the cps.edu website, the CPS Virtual Academy for K-12 students with medical needs, GoCPS for school exploration and applications, Chicago Early Learning for Pre-K enrollment, and the Aspen Portal for student/parent access. Supporting services include STEM programs, Career and Technical Education, All-City Performing Arts, summer programming, Safe Passage safety routes, health and wellness services (including Hazel virtual counseling), special education, transportation, and college planning through Learn.Plan.Succeed and SchooLinks. The district also operates a Supplier Portal for vendor management. The portfolio is organized around the core school system with multiple specialized programs and digital tools addressing academic, safety, health, and administrative needs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CPS Virtual Academy: Online/virtual learning program offering K-12 education for students with complex medical needs and other qualifying criteria
- GoCPS
- Chicago Early Learning
- Chi-Craft Minecraft Education
Products and services
- CPS Virtual Academy A full-time virtual schooling option for K-12 students, primarily serving those with complex medical needs who require flexibility to receive care while continuing education. Operates as a separate school within the district with its own curriculum, staff, and in-person enrichment events.
- GoCPS School Application Platform A platform for exploring and applying to elementary and high schools across Chicago. Enables families to research schools and submit applications through a centralized digital system.
- Chicago Early Learning (Pre-K Programs) A portal dedicated to early childhood education options throughout Chicago, allowing families to explore and apply to Pre-K programs for children birth to age 5.
- CPS STEM Program A dedicated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) educational program providing specialized curriculum and enrichment in science and technology areas, including the Chi-Craft Minecraft Education competition for quantum computing career preparation.
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs offering career-focused education and workforce preparation, including culinary arts, robotics, and other technical skills with industry partnerships and competition opportunities.
- All-City Performing Arts An after-school performing arts program supported by Lollapalooza funding, providing instrument lending, rehearsal space, transportation, and performance opportunities for students in grades 3-12.
- Special Education Services Specialized educational programs and support services for students with disabilities, including related services, individualized education plans, and a team of Special Education Coordinators supporting schools.
- Health and Wellness Services Comprehensive health services including mental health counseling (with Hazel virtual counseling for high school students), medical and food benefits assistance, SNAP enrollment support, and school-based health resources.
- Transportation Services Student transportation services including school bus services operated in partnership with providers like First Student, Safe Passage routes, and support for students in temporary living situations.
- International-Newcomer Student Services Dedicated support services for immigrant and refugee students, including language support, cultural orientation, academic transition programs, and partnerships with community organizations for legal resources.
- Learn.Plan.Succeed College and Career Planning A college and career planning initiative within CPS services for grades 6-12, helping students develop post-secondary plans with financial aid guidance and planning support via the SchooLinks planning tool.
- School Meals Program Federal meal programs providing free breakfast and lunch to all students daily through SNAP integration.
- Safe Passage Program A student safety initiative providing trusted adult monitors along designated walking routes to and from schools in high-need areas, helping students travel safely in their communities.
- Summer Programs District-wide summer programming providing academic enrichment, social-emotional development, and access to free meals at schools running summer programs.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 40,000 students reached through Lollapalooza arts education funding
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Chicago Public Schools
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Chicago Public Schools technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Chicago Public Schools partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- FermilabminorPartnership for quantum computing education, preparing students for careers at the planned Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP)
- GraingerminorCorporate partner for quantum computing education and workforce development initiatives
- ComEdminorUtility partner supporting quantum computing education and career pathways
- Chicago State UniversityminorHost venue for Chi-Craft Minecraft Education competition finals, supporting STEM education initiatives
- Life Time FoundationminorPartnership powering the Life Time Chicago Spring Kids Run Final Mile, enabling 200+ CPS students to complete the final mile of the half marathon course
- LollapaloozacoreLollapalooza music festival awarded $1.7 million grant to CPS over five years to expand arts education, including $634,000 for All-City Performing Arts after-school program and $1.1 million for Lollapalooza Arts Education Fund. Expected to reach more than 40,000 students across 150+ schools. Total support from Lollapalooza now totals $3.9 million since 2021.
- Walsh-VINCI Transit Community PartnersminorContractor for CTA Red Line Extension project partnering with Mayor Johnson, CTA, and CPS to create $250,000 scholarship program for students in construction and engineering careers related to the Red Line Extension (2026-2030)
- First StudentcoreSchool bus transportation provider operating over 6,000 buses across Illinois, partnering with districts and Secretary of State to address and resolve school bus driver shortage
- BootUp PDcoreFive-year computer science education initiative in Chicago Public Schools, in collaboration with Amazon Future Engineer program
- Amazon Future EngineercoreFive-year computer science education initiative providing funding and resources for CS education expansion in CPS schools
- Saga EducationminorNonprofit working with CPS to scale and optimize tutoring programs using hybrid in-person and remote models, showing substantial academic gains equivalent to two-thirds of a year of learning
- The Resurrection ProjectcoreCommunity organization providing Know Your Rights training (bilingual in English and Spanish) every Tuesday and Thursday for families, individuals, and organizations regarding immigration rights; also offers immigration assistance workshops and family emergency preparedness training
- Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)coreCoalition providing Family Support Network hotline (855-435-7693), Know Your Rights fact sheets in multiple languages, and weekly virtual workshops; resource partner for immigrant families
- Chicago Mayor's Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights (IMMR)coreCity office collaborating with Resurrection Project and Chicago Public Library on bi-weekly Family Preparedness Plan workshops (in English and Spanish), and providing comprehensive Know Your Rights Resource Guide
- Chicago Public LibraryminorPartner in hosting virtual Family Preparedness Plan workshops alongside IMMR and Resurrection Project
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Chicago Public Schools competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- New York City Department of Education: Largest U.S. public school district (~1M students) operating K-12 schools, district-run pre-K, charter oversight, and similar portfolio of magnet/selective/specialty programs. Directly comparable as a large urban district with comparable governance, funding mix, and political dynamics.
- Los Angeles Unified School District: Second-largest U.S. district (~600K students) operating K-12, magnet, dual-language, and adult programs with chronic structural deficits. Closely comparable in scale, diversity of programming, and fiscal pressure dynamics.
- Houston Independent School District: Large Texas urban district (~190K students) operating K-12, magnet, and charter programs with state-led accountability pressures. Comparable governance dynamics and demographic mix to CPS.
- Broward County Public Schools: Sixth-largest U.S. district serving a diverse South Florida population with significant ELL and special-education populations. Comparable scale and demographic mix to CPS.
- Boston Public Schools: Mid-size urban district (~50K students) with comparable diversity, ELL services, and selective-enrollment/magnet mix. Useful small-scale analog for CPS's specialty-program strategy.
- Miami-Dade County Public Schools: Fourth-largest U.S. district (~350K students) before CPS's recent enrollment decline, with comparable immigrant/ELL populations, magnet programs, and charter-school funding flows.
- Clark County School District: Fifth-largest U.S. school district serving the Las Vegas metro with similarly diverse student demographics. Comparable in operating scale, reliance on state/local funding, and enrollment volatility.
- Philadelphia School District: Large urban district (~200K students) historically facing deep structural deficits, school-closure cycles, and state oversight — a direct analog to CPS's fiscal trajectory.
Emerging players
- KIPP Chicago / Noble Charter Network: Charter-school operators in Chicago that receive ~$948M of CPS pass-through funding and compete directly with neighborhood schools for students. Representative of the charter ecosystem competing for CPS enrollment.
Regional players
- Dallas Independent School District: Large Texas urban district with similar demographic and ELL profile but operating under a state funding model and political environment distinct from Illinois. Comparable operationally; not a direct geographic competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Chicago Public Schools social profiles
Digital presenceChicago Public Schools financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Chicago Public Schools leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Chicago Public Schools subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Chicago Public Schools funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Chicago Public Schools M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Chicago Public Schools
What does Chicago Public Schools do?
Chicago Public Schools provides free public K-12 education to more than 315,000 students across over 600 traditional, magnet, selective enrollment, charter, and contract schools in the City of Chicago. Core offerings include standard classroom instruction, pre-kindergarten programs, special education, career and technical education, STEM and arts programming, English language learner support, immigrant and refugee services, mental health and wellness services, free school meals, student transportation, and a fully online Virtual Academy for medically fragile students.
Is Chicago Public Schools a public or private company?
Chicago Public Schools is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Chicago Public Schools founded?
Chicago Public Schools was founded in 1837. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Chicago Public Schools based?
Chicago Public Schools is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Chicago Public Schools make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. State and Local Tax Revenue is the primary driver. The others are federal Grants and Programs, school Meals Program and private Grants and Donations.
Who are Chicago Public Schools's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are New York City Department of Education, Los Angeles Unified School District, Houston Independent School District, Broward County Public Schools, Boston Public Schools, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Clark County School District and Philadelphia School District. KIPP Chicago / Noble Charter Network is listed as an emerging player. Dallas Independent School District is listed as a regional player.
Does Chicago Public Schools have an API?
No public API is recorded for Chicago Public Schools.
What industry is Chicago Public Schools in?
Chicago Public Schools's product category is Public K-12 Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDADABAA, Public School Districts (K–12), with a secondary code of EDAJAAAE, Public K–12 Combined Schools. Its NAICS code is 611110 and its SIC code is 8200.