Frequent Asked Questions

What kind of school is LaSalle?

LaSalle Language Academy is a magnet school in the Chicago Public Schools system. Students are selected by random lottery.

Is there an Open House?  Can we schedule a tour separate from the Open House?

There is only one Open House for prospective parents.  It is always scheduled on the 3rd Saturday in November.  It starts at 10:00 a.m. with a planned program followed by formation of small groups for tours.  The school does not offer private tours.

What is the difference between LaSalle Language Academy and LaSalle Magnet II?

Languages at LaSalle Language Academy:  French, Chinese, Italian, Spanish
Languages at LaSalle Magnet II:  French, Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, Urdu

Does my child have to take a test to be accepted at LaSalle?

No. LaSalle Language Academy, like many elementary magnet schools is designed for all students who are randomly selected through a computerized lottery. No testing is required.

What are the LaSalle school hours?

LaSalle school hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:45 a.m. to 3:20 a.m. and Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.

When do we know the results?

CPS performs a computer lottery towards the end of the month of February.  Notification letters are mailed the third week of March.  Results cannot be given to parents via telephone. If you do not receive a notification letter within two weeks of the designated date, please contact the Office of Academic Enhancement at (773) 553-2060.

What is a computerized lottery?

CPS conducts computerized lotteries to ensure that all children have an equal chance to be accepted at magnet schools.  A computer program randomly selects students to fill the spaces in each grade. 

There are 3 types of lotteries:

Sibling lottery: conducted only for students who have a brother or sister in the same household already attending LaSalle, and who will continue to be enrolled in that school in next school year.

Proximity lottery: only for students entering Kindergarten.  This lottery is for students who live within a 1.5 mile radius of LaSalle

General lottery:  conducted for all students not included in the sibling or proximity lotteries.

A percentage of students not selected through the lottery are placed on waiting lists.

How do we confirm the spot?

The Office of Academic Enhancement sends a letter with a confirmation form.  Parents of students who are selected in the lottery are given approximately three weeks to accept an offered space and must send the confirmation form to the school.

I am applying for my son/daughter to a magnet school where his/her brother/sister is enrolled. Will my son/daughter automatically be selected?

Applicants who are siblings of students currently enrolled or will continue to be enrolled in the next school year are given preference.  Seats will only be offered if space is available. If we receive more applications from siblings than there are seats available, a computerized lottery will be conducted to fill the seats.

“Sibling” means brother or sister, step brothers or sisters, foster siblings and adopted siblings.

Is transportation provided?

Presently, CPS policies provide school bus transportation to students who live more than 1.5 miles but less than 6 miles from the magnet school.

For more information please visit http://www.cpsoae.org/
To apply https://apply.cps.edu/b>