Overview

• This spring’s contract between CPS and the Chicago Teachers Union codified funding for adding 16 Sustainable Community Schools, raising the total to 36 for 2025–26 as outlined in the Success 2029 plan.
• Sixteen schools were selected based on need, readiness and neighborhood strengths, with expansion targeting historically under-resourced areas such as Austin, Belmont Cragin and Englewood.
• Each Sustainable Community School will offer wraparound support through local nonprofit partnerships, including on-site health care, mental health counseling, trauma-informed care, restorative justice and out-of-school programming.
• Despite a $569 million district budget deficit, CPS has pledged targeted funding and extra district guidance to sustain expanded services at the new campuses.
• Community outreach and campus assessments have begun to customize support at each new site and officials will track implementation progress as classes approach.