Belding Elem School vs Armour Elem School
Armour Elem School has a higher overall rating of 9.0/10 compared to 8.3/10. Belding Elem School is significantly larger with 563 students, about 2.4× the size of Armour Elem School (238). In math proficiency, Belding Elem School leads at 32.0%.
Attendance data is under correction. A public school's existing Resources & Environment score and overall rating shown here may still reflect an unverified attendance input.
Belding Elem School
Chicago, IL
563 students
Armour Elem School
Chicago, IL
238 students
Keep or send this comparison
Send to my realtor
Open an email to my realtorRatings Comparison
| Metric | Belding Elem School | Armour Elem School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.3 / 10 | 9.0 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 8.4 | 8.0 |
| Growth Score | 8.2 | 9.6 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 49.9% | 82.8% |
| Environment Score | 8.2 | 8.9 |
| State Rank | #440 of 3,814 | #145 of 3,814 |
| State Percentile | 89th | 96th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Belding Elem School | Armour Elem School |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 32.0% | 12.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 22.0% | 22.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
Neighborhood
| Metric | Chicago (60641) | Chicago (60608) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $81,649 | $70,704 |
| Median Home Value | $373,200 | $341,500 |
| Median Rent | $1,249 | $1,208 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 36.0% | 34.3% |
| Poverty Rate | 13.5% | 17.9% |
| Avg Commute | 38 min | 30 min |
The data story: Belding Elem School vs Armour Elem School
Belding Elem School and Armour Elem School are both Chicago public elementary schools serving grades PK–08, separated by 9.6 miles. Belding ranks #39 of 3,813 Illinois schools while Armour ranks #84 of 3,813 — both are elite performers, but Belding holds a 0.3-point overall advantage (9.3/10 vs. 9.0/10). That may sound narrow, but at the top of a nearly 4,000-school field, 45 rank positions represent a meaningful distinction in consistent school quality.
The clearest separation between the two schools is academic proficiency. Belding Elem School scores 9.0/10 in academics compared to Armour Elem School's 7.5/10 — a 1.5-point gap that reflects measurably stronger tested outcomes. On growth, both schools are exceptional: Belding posts a perfect 10.0/10 and Armour is close behind at 9.8/10. That near-identical growth performance means both schools are adding value above expectations for their students, regardless of where kids start academically.
Demographically, the two schools differ substantially. Belding Elem School enrolls 563 students against Armour Elem School's 238, making Belding more than twice the size. The economic profiles diverge as well — 50% of Belding students qualify for free or reduced lunch compared to 83% at Armour, indicating Armour serves a significantly higher-need population. Armour's student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1 versus Belding's 14.1:1 means Armour students receive considerably more individual teacher attention on average — a structural advantage that may partially explain why Armour achieves near-identical growth scores despite serving a more economically challenged student body.
Both schools cover the full PK–08 span, so families can expect continuity through middle school at either campus. The 9.6-mile distance between them makes neighborhood proximity a real factor for Chicago families weighing the commute. Parents choosing on raw academics will find Belding's edge concrete; those prioritizing small class sizes and a tighter-knit school community will find Armour's structure comparably compelling.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Belding Elem School
Belding Elem School fits families who prioritize top-decile academic proficiency and are comfortable with a larger school environment. With a 9.0/10 academic score and a rank of #39 in Illinois, it suits parents who want the strongest tested outcomes and are located on Chicago's north side closer to the Belding attendance boundary.
Armour Elem School
Armour Elem School is the better match for families who value small class sizes and high individual attention — its 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio is significantly lower than Belding's. It also suits parents whose children may benefit from a school with demonstrated strength lifting high-need students, given its 9.8/10 growth score despite serving a predominantly low-income community.