Chicago Public Schools would like to see at least 60 new charters within the next five years. That would create a huge area of growth, considering that the city is currently home to 137 charter schools, which are operated either by CPS or private organizations.
The new numbers surfaced in an official request from CPS and charter school stakeholders to the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation for $20 million, according to a Chicago Tribune story.
CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard believes that a growing the number of charter schools in Chicago would answer a growing demand for the projects. Critics such as those within the Chicago Teachers Union, however, worry that charters are taking resources away from already troubled neighborhood schools.
Right now, Chicago charter schools have a waiting list of 10,000 students, according to CPS numbers. 60 new charters could make a significant dent in that number.