Comprehensive Chicago Public Schools calendar with important academic dates, assessment periods, and school events to help students and families plan effectively throughout the year.
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Chicago Public Schools operates on a quarterly academic system. Understanding the unique focus of each quarter helps students, parents, and educators plan effectively throughout the school year.
Quarter 1 establishes foundational concepts and classroom routines. This period focuses on:
Parent Tip: Schedule early check-ins with teachers before progress reports to address any concerns proactively.
Quarter 2 deepens academic content and includes midyear assessments. Key focus areas include:
Parent Tip: Use parent-teacher conferences to establish clear communication channels with teachers and discuss first-quarter progress. Create a winter break learning plan to prevent academic regression.
Quarter 3 is crucial for academic momentum. This period typically includes:
Parent Tip: February is an excellent time to review your child's progress toward yearly goals. Consider additional support resources if needed before third-quarter assessments.
Quarter 4 consolidates learning and prepares for year-end assessments. Focus areas include:
Parent Tip: Use the spring parent-teacher conference to discuss summer learning plans and preparation for the next academic year. For graduating students, ensure all requirements are completed well before deadlines.
Use these expert-developed resources to maximize academic success throughout the 2024-2025 school year
Research-based study plans tailored to each grade level's curriculum requirements and developmental needs.
View PlansStrategic preparation schedules for standardized tests, with targeted practice materials and testing strategies.
View GuidesResearch-validated templates for setting SMART academic goals aligned with quarterly learning objectives.
Download TemplatesComprehensive preparation checklists and question frameworks to maximize the value of parent-teacher conferences.
View GuidesGrade-specific strategies and activities to reinforce classroom learning, developed by experienced educators.
View ResourcesEngaging, curriculum-aligned activities to prevent learning loss during winter and spring breaks.
View ActivitiesQuarter-by-quarter curriculum mapping templates aligned with CPS learning standards and assessment schedules.
Download TemplatesComprehensive guide to CPS professional development opportunities, organized by subject area and grade level.
View CalendarEvidence-based frameworks for analyzing student performance data and implementing targeted interventions.
View GuidesEducational research from the American Educational Research Association shows that breaking the academic year into manageable quarters significantly improves student outcomes. Key findings:
Our quarterly planning guides incorporate these research-backed approaches, providing specific strategies for each phase of the academic year.
Research from Johns Hopkins University demonstrates that students can lose up to one month of learning during extended breaks without educational engagement. Our break planning resources incorporate:
These evidence-based approaches help prevent the "summer slide" during winter and spring breaks while ensuring students return to school prepared for new learning.
Chicago Public Schools has designated emergency makeup days at the end of the school year. For the 2024-2025 academic year, potential emergency makeup days would be scheduled after June 12, 2025. CPS typically announces any calendar adjustments through official communications and their website.
If emergency days exceed the built-in makeup days, CPS may consider alternative instructional options, including e-learning days or extended school days, pending approval from the Illinois State Board of Education.
Quarter end dates (October 25, January 17, March 21, and June 12) represent important transcript milestones for high school students. Final grades from each quarter are calculated into semester grades, which appear on official transcripts and factor into GPA calculations.
For year-long courses, the first and second quarters combine for semester 1 grades, while the third and fourth quarters determine semester 2 grades. For semester-length courses, the quarter grades determine the final course grade that appears on transcripts.
Students should be particularly mindful of assignment completion as quarter end dates approach, as late work policies may be more restrictive during grade finalization periods.
The 2024-2025 CPS standardized testing schedule includes:
Schools may adjust their individual schedules within these testing windows. Contact your school's testing coordinator for specific dates pertaining to your student's grade level.