CPS enrollment could drop by 15,000 students — but that could benefit the district overall, researchers say

Chicago Public Schools enrollment has plummeted in recent years. (Pat Nabong/Sun-Times)

This fall, the student population of Chicago Public Schools could continue its dramatic downward slide and drop below 300,000 elementary and high school students.

That’s the lowest predicted enrollment, based on the current number of students by grade-level and birth rate data, from researchers who specialize in using data to address civic problems. Last year, CPS enrolled 314,500 students plus 15,000 preschoolers, down from 378,000 students a decade ago.