20,000 freshman seats remain vacant in Chicago Public Schools: report

CLTV reports:

Chicago Public Schools’ new high school enrollment program is leaving schools with thousands of empty freshmen seats, according to a study released Thursday from the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

The GoCPS application lets freshmen apply for programs at higher performing schools, instead of their neighborhood schools. The application has caused some under enrolled schools to be even more vacant.

20,000 ninth grade seats, across CPS, remain unfilled.

Researchers expect two thirds will stay empty when the school year starts next month due to years of declining enrollment.

The remaining third are expected to wind up in their neighborhood school.

The Chicago Tribune reports Hirsch High School, as of last month, does not have one incoming freshman student. Only one is signed up for Douglass High School.

The great moments of government schools.