Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (2025)

Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (1)

Charter public schools change lives. Here’s how.

What are charter public schools?

Charter schools are free, independent neighborhood public schools open to all children, including students who are English language learners and students with special needs. Charter schools do not have special entrance requirements and have the freedom to be innovative, while being held accountable for advancing student achievement.

Each charter public school is unique – both inside and out. Some may focus on college preparation, math and science, and others integrate the arts into each subject. While the possibilities are endless, charter public schools aim to provide a range of options so that parents can choose the school that best fits their child’s needs.

Charter Public Schools in Illinois

60,853students served throughout Illinois

8.7%of students are enrolled outside of Chicago

Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (2)64elementary schools

Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (3)57high schools

Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (4)16combination schools

122charter schools in Chicago

15charter schools outside of Chicago

137charter schools in Illinois

Of the Illinois charter school population:

96.4%

are students of color**African American, Asian, Native American / Alaskan, Hispanic, Multi-racial, Pacific Islander / Hawaiian

85%

receive free or reduced lunch

14%

are enrolled in special education

Charter Schools in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) District:

114charter public schools in the CPS district

114charter public schools in the CPS district

Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (5)

54,375charter public school students enrolled in Chicago Public Schools

1 out of every 4high school students in CPS attends a charter high school

Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (6)Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (7)

1 out of every 10CPS elementary school students attends a charter elementary school

Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (8)

Student Enrollment in CPS

Charter Schools

District-Run Schools

Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (9)

  • 98.7%*identify as students of color

  • 97.8%students are Black/African American and/or Latino

  • 86%students receive free or reduced lunch

  • 14.9%students with special needs

  • 17.2%English language learners

  • 86.3%*identify as students of color

  • 81.7%students are Black/African American and/or Latino

  • 77.5%students receive free or reduced lunch

  • 13.9%students with special needs

  • 20.7%English language learners

*African American, Asian, Native American / Alaskan, Hispanic, Multi-racial, Pacific Islander / Hawaiian

How are charter public schools changing lives?

The traditional public education system in Illinois has not adequately prepared all students to live successful lives. A history of systemic injustice has led to some students being underserved. Despite many reform efforts, too many Black/African American, Latino, low-income and students with disabilities are still leaving school underprepared for success.

At INCS, we’re working to ensure that all students – no matter their zip code, ethnicity, income or family background – have access to a high quality public education that prepares them to succeed in college, career and life.

Since the charter school movement began 20 years ago, charter public schools have proven to be undeniably successful in serving students and communities in need.

Chicago’s charter public schools serve the highest proportions of students in poverty of any urban charter network in the country. They also serve comparable rates of students of color, English language learners, and special education students as are served by district-run schools.

Because of our continued success, students and families are choosing charter public schools more than ever before. Today, we serve a record number of families across Illinois.

Total Statewide Charter School Enrollment

Statewide

Chicago

Total Chicago Charter School Enrollment

Statewide

Chicago

Statewide

Chicago

Charter public schools continue to excel in nearly every metric of academic achievement and student outcomes.

In Chicago, students who attend charter public schools are more likely to graduate from high school and college. According to a University of Chicago Consortium on School Research study, on average, charter school students’ performance on post-secondary outcomes was much higher than similar students who attended non-charter high schools.

  • Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (11)

    Higher college and university enrollment rates

    7.2% compared to 2.2% for similar students who attended district-run (non-selective) high schools
  • Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (12)

    Higher standardized test scores

    10th-Grade PLAN and 11th-Grade ACT Scores
  • Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (13)

    Higher completion of college coursework

    21.4% complete at least 4 semesters compared to 13.0% of district-run (non-selective) school students
  • Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (14)

    Higher attendance and classroom engagement

    Thanks in part to innovative, engaging curriculum that inspires today’s young minds

Chicago is a choice district.

  • Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (15)

    How many students in Chicago Public Schools choose not to attend their zoned schools?

    chevron_right

    More than half of students across the district choose not to attend their zoned schools.

    See the Data

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  • Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (16)

    How far are students willing to travel to attend a school of their choice?

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    A typical high school student travels an average 3.6 miles to attend a school of their choice.

    See the Data

    close

  • Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (17)

    How many students opt out of their zoned high school to attend another district-run school?

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    Eighty percent of students who opt out of their zoned high school attend another district-run school.

    See the Data

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  • Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (18)

    Are all schools enrolling students to other schools?

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    No matter charter or district-run, all schools are now enrolling students zoned to other schools.

    See the Data

    close

  • Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (19)

    Is school choice good for families?

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    The majority of students receive a higher quality education when they opt out of their zoned school.

    See the Data

    close

How are charter public schools performing?

Explore our interactive tool to compare charter public and district school performance on the Illinois State Report Card

Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (20)

Get Your School's Facts

Explore Chicago’s charter public and district school performance on the School Quality Rating Policy (SQRP)

Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (21)

Coming Soon!

Charter Public Schools Facts & Info | Illinois Network of Charter Schools (2025)
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