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Chicago Closes Two Aspira Charter Schools Amid Concerns

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  Published in Business and Finance on Friday, February 27th 2026 at 8:14 GMT by ABC 7 Chicago
      Locales: Illinois, UNITED STATES

CHICAGO, IL - February 27th, 2026 - Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced the closure of two Aspira charter schools - Aspira Leadership Academy and Aspira Creative Arts Academy - effective at the end of the current academic year. The decision, made public on Thursday, follows a prolonged period of concern regarding financial mismanagement, student safety, and the overall quality of education provided at both institutions. While CPS officials maintain they attempted to collaborate with Aspira to rectify these issues, a resolution ultimately proved unattainable.

This closure represents more than just the shuttering of two schools; it impacts hundreds of students and families, and raises critical questions about charter school oversight and accountability within the CPS system. The immediate priority, according to CPS CEO Pedro Martinez, is ensuring a "smooth transition" for the affected students, though concrete details regarding their placement in other schools remain unclear as of today.

A History of Challenges at Aspira

The issues plaguing Aspira are not new. While the specific details of the "financial mismanagement" cited by CPS haven't been publicly released, sources indicate a pattern of budgetary shortfalls, questionable spending practices, and a lack of transparency in financial reporting have been present for several years. Previous audits, accessible through public records requests, allegedly flagged concerns over inflated administrative costs and insufficient investment in classroom resources. These concerns were initially raised by both teachers and parent groups, but previous attempts to address them appear to have been unsuccessful.

Beyond financial woes, the "student safety concerns" cited by CPS are particularly alarming. Unconfirmed reports, circulating within the community, suggest instances of inadequate supervision, poorly maintained facilities, and insufficient security measures at both campuses. A spike in reported incidents of bullying and minor altercations further fueled concerns amongst parents. While official investigations into these claims are ongoing, the gravity of the situation clearly contributed to CPS's ultimate decision.

The decline in "quality of education" appears to be a multifaceted problem. Teacher turnover rates at both Aspira schools have been significantly higher than the CPS average, creating instability in the learning environment. Standardized test scores have consistently lagged behind district averages, and a growing number of parents had begun exploring alternative educational options for their children. The lack of specialized programs and resources, coupled with overcrowded classrooms, reportedly exacerbated the challenges faced by both students and educators.

What's Next for Displaced Students?

The closure leaves approximately 600 students scrambling for new educational opportunities. CPS officials state they are "working closely with families" to identify suitable placements, but the logistics of reassigning such a large number of students within an already strained system presents a significant challenge. Neighborhood schools, already operating at capacity in many areas, may struggle to absorb the influx of new students. Concerns are being raised about the potential for increased class sizes and reduced access to specialized programs.

Advocacy groups are urging CPS to prioritize the needs of the displaced students and ensure they are placed in schools that can provide a supportive and enriching learning environment. They are also calling for increased transparency in the reassignment process and a commitment to providing individualized support to students as they transition to their new schools. Several local community organizations have pledged to offer tutoring and mentoring services to help students stay on track academically.

The Broader Implications for Charter Schools

The closure of these two Aspira schools is likely to reignite the debate surrounding charter school accountability and oversight. While charter schools offer valuable alternatives to traditional public schools, they also present unique challenges in terms of financial management and educational standards. Critics argue that inadequate oversight can lead to mismanagement, fraud, and ultimately, harm to students.

This incident could prompt CPS to tighten regulations governing charter school operations, increase the frequency of audits, and enhance the monitoring of financial performance and student outcomes. It may also lead to a broader review of the charter school approval process to ensure that only qualified and well-prepared organizations are granted charters. The future of the charter school model in Chicago, and potentially across the nation, could hinge on how CPS addresses the lessons learned from this closure.

Aspira, for its part, has expressed disappointment with the decision, but has pledged to support its students and families through the transition. The organization's leadership is expected to release a more detailed statement outlining its future plans in the coming days. For now, the focus remains on mitigating the disruption to students' education and ensuring they have the resources they need to succeed.