ASPIRA, a charter school network in Chicago, will close its Early College and Business and Finance high schools by April 3, according to a layoff notice given to staff. All employees at these campuses are expected to be laid off on that date.
The closures follow a decision by Chicago Public Schools (CPS) last week to begin transferring students out of the two ASPIRA high schools if they wished. CPS cited concerns that ASPIRA did not have enough funding to keep the schools open for the remainder of the academic year.
ASPIRA’s CEO Edgar Lopez informed staff in the layoff notice that “at this time, we hope the closure will be temporary.” Lopez did not respond to requests for further comment.
CPS stated it would soon share with ASPIRA staff information about applying for open positions at district-run schools. Students and staff have expressed concern about disruptions to education and employment caused by the mid-year closures. Some students and network leaders recently urged CPS to help keep the schools operating. During a recent Board of Education meeting, other students, staff, and representatives from the Chicago Teachers Union criticized ASPIRA’s management and voiced worries about their futures.
District officials said they are planning a transition process for affected students, including support measures such as letters explaining mid-year transfers for college admissions offices. CPS also plans to ensure seniors on track to graduate from ASPIRA will do so on time, according to acting Chief Education Officer Alfonso Carmona.
However, interim CPS CEO Maquiline King told board members that CPS cannot fully implement a transition plan until ASPIRA officially decides to close its campuses. Officials said they intended to present details of this plan to families soon.
Before issuing layoff notices, ASPIRA had indicated it only had sufficient funds through late April—about five weeks before the end of the school year—and was seeking additional funding through efforts like a GoFundMe campaign. The district had previously placed ASPIRA under financial remediation and provided millions in advances this year but said it could not offer more money due to state-imposed legal limits on charter funding.
Both district and charter leaders have pointed to declining enrollment, reduced funding levels, and increased costs—including higher salaries at unionized schools—as contributing factors in ongoing financial challenges faced by charters. Charter advocates argue that recent policy changes have worsened their financial situation; critics claim some charters have failed in responsible fiscal management and question whether oversight has been adequate. In November, after renewing ASPIRA’s contract with conditions requiring closer monitoring of finances, CPS criticized ASPIRA’s financial practices. Lopez has denied any mismanagement or misleading actions.
Earlier this week, an ASPIRA press release warned that closure could jeopardize services for English language learners and special education students, disrupt graduation timelines and scholarship eligibility, and affect student placement continuity.
