Enroll

How do I enroll in preschool (ages 3 and 4)?

Courtenay offers full-day, Gold-rated PreK. Everyone applies through Chicago Early Learning — not at the school — and living in the neighborhood does not guarantee a PreK seat, so apply early: applications for the fall open in the spring. Your child must be 3 or 4 by September 1. Bilingual help line: (312) 229-1690.

→ Learn more about preschool at Courtenay

→ Apply at Chicago Early Learning

How do I enroll in kindergarten through 8th grade?

🏫 If you live in Courtenay’s boundary

Your child can attend Courtenay — guaranteed, even mid-year. Check your address on the school locator, then send in your paperwork: the enrollment forms, a photo ID with your current address, and medical forms. Email them to [email protected] or bring them to the office.

Children already in Courtenay’s PreK move up to kindergarten automatically.

→ How to enroll — forms and details

🎟️ If you live outside the boundary

Apply through GoCPS, the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) lottery for schools outside your neighborhood. Applications for the next school year open in the fall (this year, September 9 – November 13, 2026); offers go out in March. Waitlist calls come by phone from CPS, not from the school.

→ GoCPS

Can we visit first?

Yes. The school gives tours — call the office at (773) 534-5790 to set one up.

→ School tours

Is my child ready for kindergarten?

The school’s kindergarten-readiness page lists what helps a child start strong. None of it requires buying anything.

→ Kindergarten readiness

Why Courtenay?

• A guaranteed seat for every K–8 child in the neighborhood.
• Full-day, Gold-rated PreK.
• Free breakfast and lunch for every student.
• No-cut sports for grades 5–8, and free after-school enrichment.
• Translation and interpretation, free, whenever you need it.
• One of Chicago’s Sustainable Community Schools.