Chicago Public Schools to Close Campuses, Shift Calendar
Chicago Public Schools will shut down several financially distressed ASPIRA charter school campuses, forcing students to relocate. In a separate move, the Chicago school board approved future academic calendars that push the end of the first semester to after winter break. These changes will require students and families to navigate significant disruptions to routines and school environments.
The two ASPIRA high school campuses, Business and Finance and Early College, serve approximately 700 predominantly low-income and Latino students. Chicago Public Schools officials allege the charter network has failed to responsibly manage its finances, citing a $2.9 million deficit even after the district provided $2.5 million in cash advances. ASPIRA leadership attributes the financial crisis to rising salaries and underfunding from the district. CPS has accused ASPIRA of budgeting based on unrealistic enrollment projections and failing to provide required financial documentation. The district noted that over the past four years, enrollment at the two campuses has dropped from 877 students to 571. ASPIRA's CEO, Edgar Lopez, denies mismanagement and suggests the district's actions are part of a larger move to close charter schools. The Chicago Teachers Union, which represents staff at the charter, rallied with parents and students, calling for a plan that would keep students and staff together as they transition to new schools. CPS has stated it will guarantee seats for the displaced students at nearby district-run high schools and will provide "transition coordinators" to assist families. This situation is part of a broader trend of financial strain within Chicago's charter sector, with declining enrollment and funding challenges leading to other recent closures and district takeovers, such as with Acero and EPIC Academy High School. Separately, the new academic calendars for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years were approved after considerable debate. The primary change pushes the end of the first semester and final exams to after the two-week winter break. This structure was chosen despite some board members raising concerns about student mental health, as students may have to study over the break. To end the semester before winter break, CPS would have needed to shorten the weeklong Thanksgiving holiday or start the school year much earlier to meet state requirements for instructional days. The district conducted a survey that garnered over 22,000 responses from students, parents, and staff. The results showed that 55% of respondents preferred ending the first semester after winter break.
