Chicago's half-empty schools reveal a crisis city leaders refuse to confront

The Chicago Public Schools system is facing a significant enrollment crisis, with 35% of its schools operating at less than half capacity. According to district data, 13 schools have fewer than 100 students, with one school, Frederick Douglass Academy, having only 27 students in a building designed for 1,000.

The decline in enrollment is attributed to a combination of factors, including the city's rising cost of living and a decline in the birth rate. However, a closer examination of the statistics reveals that many families are opting out of public schools due to concerns about school quality. In the same district, students in selective enrollment high schools are three times more likely to read at grade level and five times more likely to be proficient in math compared to their peers in traditional public schools.

Parents are increasingly choosing alternative educational options, such as magnet schools, charter schools, and private schools. According to district data, CPS's share of enrolled students slipped from 75% to 71% over the past few years, with approximately 18,000 children choosing alternative options. Parents in Kids First workshops have cited school quality as a primary reason for their decisions.

The Chicago Teachers Union has been criticized for prioritizing politics over the needs of its teachers and students. The union's spending on politics and lobbying has exceeded its spending on representing teachers, and it has been accused of using its influence to block school-choice initiatives and freeze school closings. These actions have contributed to a perception that the union is more interested in advancing its own agenda than in supporting the educational needs of its students.