(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
The first day of classes for Chicago Public Schools could be pushed back a week at the start of the next academic year while the city hosts the Democratic National Convention in August, according to district officials.
CPS on Thursday released its proposed calendars for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years, which included a start date of Aug. 26 for the upcoming year due to the “estimated influx of 75,000 visitors" coming to Chicago for the convention.
“This shift not only accommodates the city’s logistical needs as they relate to the influx of Conventiongoers, but it also allows time for students to attend, volunteer, and participate in the civic process of hosting the Convention,” the district said in a statement.
The DNC is scheduled to run from Aug. 19-22 at the United Center.
Under the district proposal, classes next school year would run from Aug. 26 until June 12, 2025. The current academic year began Aug. 21, and the first day of the 2025-26 year is scheduled for Aug. 18.
The proposed 2024-25 academic calendar. (Chicago Public Schools)
Because the school year would be starting a week later, the first semester would not end until Jan. 17, 2025 — following winter break.
According to CPS, the 2024-25 calendar includes 176 full student attendance days along with 12 employee professional development days and two parent-teacher conferences. Students would also get a two-week winter vacation, a one-week spring vacation and no classes the week of Thanksgiving.
Classes would also be canceled on local and national election days.
The proposed 2025-26 calendar includes the same set up as the 2024-25 calendar, but with classes instead running from Aug. 18, 2025 through June 4, 2026.
The proposed 2025-26 academic calendar. (Chicago Public Schools)
CPS is collecting parent and student feedback on these calendar proposals before an expected vote by the Board of Education later this month. A student survey will close Friday, while parents and community members have until next Wednesday to share their input.
Already, the district said it has received feedback from approximately 7,500 people, including staff, parents, principals, teachers and faith-based leaders.
“We’re especially grateful for all those who took time to share their feedback on our calendar development to date and we hope that our community will take a moment to weigh in on these draft calendars,” CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said in a statement. “We’re excited to help our staff, families and community plan ahead with the adoption in February of the next two academic school year calendars.”
Contact Matt Masterson: @ByMattMasterson | [email protected] | (773) 509-5431
