ASPIRA, a charter school network in Chicago, will close its Business and Finance High School and Early College High School by April 3, according to layoff notices sent to staff. All employees at the two campuses are expected to be laid off on that date.
The closure follows action from Chicago Public Schools (CPS), which last week began offering students transfers out of the two ASPIRA schools. CPS cited concerns about ASPIRA’s ability to fund operations for the remainder of the academic year.
ASPIRA operates as a privately managed but publicly funded charter network under contract with CPS. In the notice obtained by Chalkbeat, ASPIRA CEO Edgar Lopez stated, “At this time, we hope the closure will be temporary.” Lopez did not respond to requests for further comment.
CPS said it plans to provide ASPIRA staff with information on how they can apply for open positions within district-run schools.
Students and staff have expressed concern over disruptions caused by mid-year closures. Some urged CPS to help keep the schools open earlier this week. At a recent Board of Education meeting, representatives from the Chicago Teachers Union and others criticized ASPIRA for what they described as misleading communication and raised worries about future prospects for students and employees.
District officials reported plans to transition affected students to other local high schools and offer individual support, including letters explaining their mid-year transfer for college admissions purposes. Acting Chief Education Officer Alfonso Carmona told board members that seniors on track would still graduate on time.
However, interim CPS CEO Maquiline King explained during Wednesday’s board meeting that CPS cannot fully implement transition plans until ASPIRA formally proceeds with closure: “We are walking a fine line, and just know that we are responding to the call to the greatest extent possible,” King said.
Until recently, ASPIRA leaders had not confirmed campus closures but indicated funding would only last through late April—about five weeks before the end of term. Lopez said he was seeking additional funds through efforts such as a GoFundMe campaign featured on the network’s website.
The district had previously placed ASPIRA under financial remediation due to concerns about fiscal management. This school year alone, CPS advanced millions of dollars in funding but has now reached state-imposed limits on financial assistance available for charters.
Leaders across both district and charter sectors have attributed financial strain in charter schools like ASPIRA to declining enrollment numbers, increased costs—including salaries at unionized schools—and tighter funding overall. Charter advocates argue against deductions made by CPS for pension and debt expenses; critics counter that some charters have failed in financial stewardship or suggest earlier intervention was needed from district officials. Last November, after renewing its contract with conditions for oversight, CPS criticized ASPIRA’s handling of finances—a charge Lopez has denied.
Earlier this week in a press release, ASPIRA officials warned that closure could negatively impact “students with English language learner/special education needs, graduation timelines, millions of dollars in scholarship eligibility, and student placement continuity.”
