As of Friday, Chicago Public Schools remained open. Mayor Lori Lightfoot discussed why.
All schools in Illinois, including Chicago Public Schools, will be closed until the end of March, as the state continues to see an increase in the number of coronavirus cases.
All public and private schools in the state, including Chicago Public Schools, will close beginning Tuesday and stay closed through March 30, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in announcement Friday afternoon.
Listed below are school districts that announced closures prior to Gov. Pritzker's decision to close all schools statewide.
For updated information regarding a specific school, head to your local school district's website.
Riverside District 96
Riverside School District 96 will be closed for student attendance effective March 16. The district plans to begin e-learning days on March 18 and return to school on April 7.
Community High School District 99
Local
District 99 will close its schools beginning March 16 and will "immediately implement an e-Learning schedule." School is set to resume its regular scheduled on April 6.
Roselle School District 12
Roselle School District 12 will close all schools on March 16, with plans to resume on April 6.
Oswego Community Unit School District 308
Students will not have attendance for the week of March 16, "possibly longer depending on the health risk in our community." Details on a potential e-learning plan will be released no later than Monday afternoon. Schools will still serve as polling places.
Center Cass School District 66
District 66 will close its schools beginning March 16 and "immediately implement an e-Learning schedule." School is expected to resume regular schedule on April 6. Meanwhile, all activities and athletics will be canceled during that time.
Waukegan Community Unit School District 60
All Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 schools will close beginning March 16 and remain closed through spring break with plans to reopen on March 30.
Indian Prairie School District 204
Indian Prairie School District 204 is closing schools and implementing e-learning across all schools starting March 18. E-learning will be used from March 18-27 and spring break will take place March 30 through April 3. The tentative return date for campuses will be April 6. "Starting March 18, students in grades 2 through 12 should look for communication from their teacher(s) with assignment information."
Riverside-Brookfield District 208
Classes will be canceled for March 16, which is now designated as a "non-student attendance day." March 17-20, March 23-27, March 30-April 3 and April 6 will all become e-learning days, the district announced. Normal school days are scheduled to resume April 7.
Naperville School District 203
Naperville 203 will be closing schools and canceling all sports and activities for students beginning March 14 and continuing through spring break. A tentative plan includes students returning on April 6.
Community Consolidated School District 15
All District 15 schools will be closed beginning March 16 through at least March 30, when Spring Break is scheduled to conclude. Schools are scheduled to reopen on March 31.
North Shore District 112
Until further notice, all District 112 schools are closed. Classes were canceled Friday with a projected return date of April 14.
Township High School District 113
District 113 canceled school on March 13 over a suspected coronavirus case. The school is expected to transition classes to e-learning beginning March 17 and continue through April 14.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Spring break will be extended through March 29 and no in-person, on-campus classes will be held during that time. After that, all classes will begin online. "Closer to April 3, students will receive an email with more information on their classes," the school wrote. Residence halls and dining facilities will remain open.
Community Unit School District 200
District 200 closing all school buildings to students for the weeks of March 16-20 and March 23-27. All activities and events are also canceled.
Township High School District 214
Classes will be canceled the week of March 16, which will be an institute day for teachers before all schools close for the rest of the week. Schools won't reopen until after spring break on March 30. "Students should bring all materials home with them today that they may need to successfully complete e-learning coursework in the event we are unable to hold face-to-face class instruction immediately following spring break," the district said in a statement.
Maine Township High School District 207
District 207 said it will not be in session and students will not be in attendance starting March 16 through March 19. Students were already scheduled to be off March 20 and the district will be on Spring Break March 23 through March 27. Classes will resume on March 30 but the district said it will monitor the situation and further information will be provided on March 26.
High School District 211
High School District 211 announced that after the school day ends on March 13, all schools will be closed for students and will be remain closed through March 29, the last day of spring vacation. All extra-curricular activities, trips, practices, competitions and events are also canceled during that time.
Skokie School District 73 1/2
Skokie School District 73 1/2, which includes Oliver McCracken Middle School, John Middleton Elementary and Elizabeth Meyer, announced that March 13 will be the last day for students to attend school until at least the end of spring break, which goes through March 29. Schools will be closed to students beginning March 16.
Barrington School District 220
Barrington 220 is closing all school buildings the week of March 16, the district announced. All activities and events at the buildings are canceled through spring break. Students will be educated "virtually" from March 16-19.
School District 54
School District 54 has announced it will cancel school the week of March 16 and will stay closed for the following week, which was a scheduled spring break. After-school, evening and weekend activities were also canceled.
"As this situation is constantly evolving, we are unsure at this time when schools will reopen," the school said in a statement. "We will continue to evaluate the situation with guidance from the state and county health departments. Our schools will be open during regular hours on Monday, March 16, should you need to pick up anything your student may have left at school."
All Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools in Cook and Lake Counties Closed
The Archdiocese of Chicago announced a system-wide closure of Catholic schools, effective March 16. This decision applies to all Catholic schools in Cook and Lake Counties operated by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
"Catholic schools not operated by the archdiocese will make decisions individually," the archdiocese said. "This decision extends to all regular operations of our Catholic schools, including all extra-curricular activities, social events and other school-related gatherings."
City Colleges of Chicago
City Colleges of Chicago will suspend all classes for one week, except fully online classes, starting March 16. Fully online classes will continue as scheduled, according to administrators.
All classes will resume the week of Monday, March 23rd, with most to be offered remotely. Spring break will be held the week of April 6th, as originally planned.
Administrators originally announced spring break would begin a week early, and online classes would start the following week.
Chiaravalle Montessori in Evanston
The Montessori school in the northern suburbs said starting Monday, March 16, it would be closed through the end of spring break. Monday and Tuesday will be emergency closures, the school said, much like snow days, as educators finalize e-learning plans to be distributed by the end of the day on March 17. Chiaravalle will implement three days of its remote learning plan from Wednesday, March 18th through Friday, March 20th.
Remote learning will not be implemented during spring break, from March 23 to 27, the school said. During that week, officials would share updated information on e-learning or when classes might resume.
"Please know that this closure is an extremely challenging decision, particularly given that there are currently no confirmed cases within the Chiaravalle community or among Evanston residents. We fully understand that the implications of this decision will be felt by our families, but ask for your patience and understanding as we work to ensure the safety and health of our community and do our part to flatten the Coronavirus curve."
St. Margaret of Scotland School and Parish in Chicago
The school and parish, located at 9833 S. Throop St. on Chicago's Far South Side, said in a letter posted to its website Thursday that both facilities would be closed after a student tested positive for coronavirus. That student also attended the school mass on March 12, school officials said.
The school will re-open March 23 at the earliest, the letter said, and there would be no daily mass on March 13.
"Beginning Friday, March 13, school and parish leadership will facilitate extensive cleaning and disinfecting of the school and church. Please note that the school already has a scheduled Spring Break from March 16-20," the letter reads, adding that CDPH guidance indicates it is not necessary for students, staff or parishioners to be tested or to self-quarantine unless they show symptoms.
" Please continue to monitor your own health, those within your care and continue to practice proper hygiene at home. We remain in close contact with the CDPH and will keep all parishioners, school families and staff apprised of any new or additional guidance from CDPH or the Archdiocese of Chicago."
Oak Park Elementary School District 97
Schools are closed starting Friday, March 13 and remote learning will begin on Monday, March 16. "Students and families may go to their schools between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to pick up all essential items, books and valuables," Thursday's statement read. "After this time students and families will not have any access to the school until further notice..."Our current plan is to return to normal operations on Monday, March 30. However, this is a rapidly-evolving situation and we will keep you informed if our plans change. Spring break will still be observed Monday, March 23, through Friday, March 27. Students and staff will not be expected to participate in remote learning (E-learning) during spring break."
Inter-American Magnet Cancels School Gallery Walk, Student Talent Show
All non-essential persons will not be allowed to enter the school building. Friday's School Gallery Walk and Student Talent Show are canceled.
"We are unable to welcome any parent volunteers. Sports activities have been cancelled. Student travel has also been restricted. As we sort through these changes, we will be providing more information regarding the specifics and providing updates to families as they become available."
Evanston Township High School District 202
The school issued a statement Thursday saying the district will transition to an e-learning plan through April 12. Starting March 13, all practices, events and activities — with some exceptions — will be canceled on the ETHS campus, according to an email sent to families at the school.
District 65 Schools & Centers
In collaboration with Superintendent Witherspoon at District 202, we have made the difficult decision to close District 65 schools and centers beginning on Monday, March 16, through the end of spring break (April 12). The District will implement its e-learning plan beginning Monday, March 16. All buildings will be closed to students, staff, families, and the general public during this time, with the exception of Election Day sites (March 17). All activities and events will remain canceled until further notice. This decision was made based on the facts we have regarding how COVID-19 spreads and in collaboration with public health officials.
Stevenson High School
Beginning Friday, March 13, out of an abundance of caution and as a precautionary measure to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) illness in our community the school will close and move to e-learning. E-learning days will begin on March 16 and Spring Break will continue to be observed March 23-27. Tentative plan is to return to on-campus classes on Monday, April 6.
Elmhurst College
After much deliberation and out of an abundance of caution, Elmhurst College will move all classes online beginning Monday, March 16, a week before the College's scheduled Spring Break. The move will take place after classes meet as scheduled on Friday, March 13.
Park Ridge Park District
As of 6 p.m. Thursday, the Park Ridge Park District is closing all facilities through Sunday, March 15. Additionally, all programs (with the exception of Beyond the Bell as long as school is in session), rentals, and events are also canceled (you will be refunded or credited for any cancellations). Early voting at the Centennial Activity Center will still be held as scheduled.
Park Forest
A letter was sent to District 163 parents and guardians on Thursday notifying that a parent said her children were in contact with a person who tested positive with the virus over the weekend of March 7 and 8 and attended school this week. The students are to remain home until status is confirmed. The school will close for the next few days for cleaning.
SIU Extending Spring Break and Moving to Alternate Instruction
Effective March 23, classes will be offered in online or other alternative formats until further notice.
Winnetka Public Schools
School canceled for students Friday, March 13. "While we have no confirmed COVID-19 cases in the District, we are shifting to our e-learning plan in an abundance of caution," the statement read. "Remote learning will begin Monday, March 16 and continue until further notice. Our school buildings will be closed to students beginning Friday, March 13th. All activities and events are canceled until further notice."
Districts 106, 109, 112 &113 Canceling After-School Public Gatherings
This includes events such as tonight’s Orchestra Concert at HPHS and the Spring Orchestra concert at DHS on March 18. Information regarding IHSA events will come separately.
Columbia College
Beginning March 14, 2020 until April 6, 2020 all in-person instruction will be temporarily suspended (though all faculty and staff should plan on reporting to campus for their regularly scheduled work hours on March 16) and existing online courses will continue as scheduled. The college will be working towards moving any remaining courses not currently offered online to an online environment and make other adjustments by March 23, 2020.
Eastern Illinois University
Eastern Illinois University has extended its spring break through March 29. No classes will be held during this time, the school said. Students will have the option of studying remotely from their campus residents or from home after spring break, according to the university. The school hopes to resume courses March 30 via online instruction.
District 207
District 207 announced that all activities outside of the regular school day will be canceled effective immediately. The cancellations will continue through March 29 and all preschool sessions will be canceled after March 13. The schools plan to remain open and continue holding classes, however, as of March 12.
North Park University
North Park University announced that its spring break will be extended through March 18 for students and all classes will move to virtual instruction beginning March 19 and continuing through April 9.
Northeastern Illinois University
The university announced that its spring break, will be from March 16 and continue through March 29. During that time, faculty will "develop alternate modes of course delivery, as appropriate, to replace face-to-face instruction." This will begin on March 23 and run for a period of two weeks, until April 4. The goal is to return to face-to-face instruction Monday, April 6.
Gary Comer College Prep Middle School in Chicago
An email from the principal at Gary Comer College Prep Middle School said he received notification late Wednesday that a staff member "was recently in the vicinity of a person who has since tested positive" for COVID-19.
The employee is showing no symptoms and has not tested positive, the principal said, but out of caution, classes would be canceled Friday and Saturday so the building can be disinfected.
Dundee-Crown High School and Perry Elementary School in Carpentersville
The district was "contacted by the Kane County Health Department regarding a possible case of coronavirus" at 11 a.m. Wednesday, a note from District 300's superintendent reads, announcing that both schools would be closed Thursday and Friday.
"A student who attends Dundee-Crown and their family have been told to self-quarantine by the McHenry County Health Department while they await test results for another member of their immediate family. As an additional precaution, the student and their family members were also screened for COVID-19 today. We expect to receive an update regarding their test results on Friday or Saturday. "
"It is important to note the student is not showing signs or symptoms related to the virus. Instead, this is a precautionary measure intended to minimize the possibility of community spread. We have also confirmed the student has not attended any large gatherings or school events in the last few weeks."
Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School in Chicago
The parent of a student from the school tested positive for coronavirus, the school said in a letter to parents early Tuesday. School officials said the Illinois Department of Public Health did not require the closure, but the school would cancel all classes and and activities out of an abundance of caution.
Bernard Zell officials clarified in the letter that no student or staff member was diagnosed with the virus, and that they believed the risk to students and faculty remained low, based on conversations with medical experts.
Vaughn Occupational High School in Chicago
Vaughn remains closed after a teacher's aide was diagnosed with the coronavirus. The patient, a Chicago woman in her 50s who was hospitalized in stable condition, recently disembarked from the Grand Princess cruise ship in California, where 21 people on board tested positive for the coronavirus, officials announced Friday.
Loyola University in Chicago
Loyola University said it will suspend face-to-face classes and transition to online/distance learning beginning March 13 and continuing through the end of the semester. Final exams will be "handled remotely." In addition, residential students are "expected to leave campus as soon as possible and go home for the semester." Residence halls will close by the end of Thursday.
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is moving to remote learning for undergraduate and graduate classes for the entire spring quarter beginning March 30.
"Extensive preparations are in process under the Provost’s leadership, and we will provide detailed guidance over the next week about remote teaching," the university said. "The University is fully committed to supporting the education of all students throughout the Spring Quarter. The College, schools, divisions, and departments will work closely with all undergraduate and graduate students to ensure that they continue to receive a transformative education."
DePaul University in Chicago
The university issued a statement saying no final exams for Winter Quarter classes will take place on campus, that for the time being, all university-sponsored events are postponed or canceled until further notice and that "classes will be delivered remotely during Spring Quarter and the remainder of Spring Semester for the College of Law. Campuses will remain open to faculty and staff, and operations other than in-class instruction will be expected to continue.Students who live in residence halls should prepare not to return for Spring Quarter."
University of Illinois - all campuses
After Spring Break, the university - with campuses in Chicago, Champaign and Springfield - announced that it will suspend face-to-face course instruction starting Monday, March 23. "Students are expected to attend classes in-person as normal on Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13," the school said in a statement Wednesday. "All international travel on university-sponsored business for faculty, staff and students is prohibited from March 16 until further notice."
Northwestern University in Evanston
Northwestern schools operating on a quarter system are extending Spring Break by one week, according to a statement released Wednesday.
"When classes resume, beginning April 4, they will be conducted remotely for at least three weeks," the statement read. "Classes that do not lend themselves to remote instruction will be addressed separately. University leaders will reassess the situation by April 17 and decide then whether to continue remote teaching or to return to in-person instruction by April 27. We will provide additional guidance on the transition to remote classes in the days to come. A website outlining essential resources for teaching has been established and will continue to be updated."
Illinois State University in Normal
Illinois State University is extending its spring break for students until Monday, March 23, the school's president said. On March 23, the school will transition to online instruction through at least April 12. University housing has been closed, with students advised to return home until further notice. All university-sponsored non-essential travel has also been suspended until further notice, with all study abroad programs canceled.
Adler University in Chicago
Adler University said Wednesday that a member of its Chicago Campus was being tested for COVID-19 and is in isolation.
"Out of an abundance of caution, the Chicago Campus has been closed until results of the testing are known," the school said in a statement. "Should the results come back negative, campus will re-open and normal operations will resume. Should the results come back positive, a deep cleaning of campus will take place. When our students, faculty, and staff return, they will be returning to a well-prepared, clean, and safe campus."
Meanwhile, classes were canceled through March 15.
"By the end of the weekend, we will assess whether or not it is safe to return to campus. If not, starting Monday, March 16, all classes at the Chicago Campus will be conducted online. Over the weekend, online classes will continue as per usual and weekend residency classes will move to Zoom," the school said.
Rush University in Chicago
Rush University announced it transitioned all on-site activities to remote platforms starting on Friday, March 13. Clinical rotations will continue as scheduled per the direction of program directors and department chairs, according to the university's website. The university has also restricted access to the Armour Academic Center and other campus facilities.
