How to enroll in PreK, and in kindergarten through 8th grade.
🧸 Preschool: ages 3 & 4
Courtenay offers full-day, Gold-rated PreK. Apply through Chicago Early Learning; living in the neighborhood does not guarantee a PreK seat.
A child counts as 4 if they turn 4 on or before September 1. The first application round for a school year closes in late April, and families can apply after that as seats open. Family Support Hotline: (312) 229-1690.
→ Learn more about preschool at Courtenay
🏫 Kindergarten–8th grade
Live in Courtenay’s neighborhood boundary? You’re in luck! Your K–8 student can attend Courtenay. Check your address to make sure, and then send in your paperwork.
Children in Courtenay’s PreK who live in the boundary are enrolled in kindergarten automatically.
If you live outside the boundary, you can apply via the lottery at GoCPS. Applications for the 2027–28 school year are open from September 9 to November 13, 2026. Offers go out on March 12, 2027.
🚪 School tours
Call the office at (773) 534-5790, or use the form on the school’s tours page.
🔤 Kindergarten readiness
The school’s kindergarten readiness page collects reading, math and social-emotional resources for families.
🐯 Why Courtenay?
- A guaranteed seat for every K–8 student in the neighborhood boundary.
- Full-day, Gold-rated PreK.
- Free breakfast and lunch for every student.
- Sports for grades 5–8 where every student who registers can play, plus free enrichment classes.
- Free translation and interpretation.
- One of Chicago’s Sustainable Community Schools.
verified september 2026