CPS officials propose late August start date for 2021-22 school year, instead of post-Labor Day start

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Summer vacation will end a little earlier for Chicago Public Schools students.

Chicago Public Schools officials want to move the start of the next school year to Aug. 30, a week earlier than the usual Tuesday after Labor Day.

The district said the earlier start would "help minimize summer learning loss after an already disrupted 2020-21 school year,” and would “provide additional instructional time to high school students in advance of high-stakes spring exams such as SAT, PSAT, AP and IB.”

CPS also noted classes beginning a week sooner in the fall would mean the 2022 summer break would also start a week earlier than usual.

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Some Jewish families told the school board that the earlier start date would eliminate conflict with Rosh Hashanah, which would have forced some families to choose between their faith and the first day of school.

The district did not mention that that was an additional reason to the proposed change.

The move still requires board approval.

Those looking to provide feedback on the schedule change can do so at bit.ly/cpsCalendarSY22 by March 17.