(WTTW News)

Chicago Public Schools students will once again kick off the new academic year weeks before Labor Day, according to a draft copy of the district’s new calendar.

CPS on Wednesday published its proposed calendar for the 2023-24 school year, which would see classes resume Aug. 21, 2023, and run until June 6, 2024. Parents and families now have a week to tell the district what they think before the Board of Education officially approves the new calendar next month.

“Overall, our CPS community liked our current School Year 2023 calendar, which focused on providing consistency and fewer student learning interruptions,” CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said in a statement. “That said, we want to continually improve and consider any additional feedback before taking next school year’s calendar to our Board for approval and adoption.”

Chicago Public Schools' proposed calendar for the 2023-24 academic year (Chicago Public Schools)

The district said this proposed calendar aligns closely with ones from suburban school districts and local colleges and universities.

It includes 176 days of instruction and provides students with additional time to prepare for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams, as well as the SAT, according to CPS.

The calendar also includes: 12 professional learning days for educators; two weeks of winter vacation and one week of spring vacation; and no instruction during the week of Thanksgiving.

Parents can provide feedback on the CPS website from Wednesday until 5 p.m. Jan. 25. The board will then vote on the calendar at its February meeting.

Contact Matt Masterson: @ByMattMasterson | [email protected] | (773) 509-5431