Fewer students, more empty CPS buildings

After the Chicago Public School board voted to close 49 schools a decade ago, enrollment has plunged, falling by more than 81,000 students. These 20 schools* occupy 20% or less of their school building, also known as space utilization occupancy rates, for the 2022-2023 school year, after declining for the past 9 years.

Slide the point to see the rates decline throughout the years.

2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022

School Space Utilization

55%
45%
35%
25%
15%
5%
*Austin College and Career Academy includes combined enrollment data from Austin Polytechnical Academy, Austin Business and Entrepreneurship Academy, and V.O.I.S.E. Academy High School, which were closed and converted back into Austin College and Career Academy High School. Bronzeville Scholastic Institute and Daniel Hale Williams Preparatory School of Medicine combines enrollment data from both schools, which are housed in the same building.
Sources: Chicago Public Schools via FOIA request. Data analysis by Jewél Jackson & Casey Toner. Map by Cesar Calderon.