Belding Elem School vs Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences
Belding Elem School has a higher overall rating of 8.3/10 compared to 7.1/10. Belding Elem School is significantly larger with 563 students, about 2.1× the size of Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences (268). 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
Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences
Chicago, IL
268 students
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| Metric | Belding Elem School | Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.3 / 10 | 7.1 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 8.4 | 7.3 |
| Growth Score | 8.2 | 5.9 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 49.9% | 72.4% |
| Environment Score | 8.2 | 9.7 |
| State Rank | #440 of 3,814 | #1,303 of 3,814 |
| State Percentile | 89th | 66th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Belding Elem School | Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 32.0% | 27.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 22.0% | 34.0% |
| 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 Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences
Belding Elem School and Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences sit just 7.6 miles apart in Chicago yet land nearly identical positions in the Illinois rankings — Belding Elem School at #39 of 3813 schools statewide and Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences at #40 of 3813. Both carry an overall rating of 9.3/10, placing them in the top 1% of Illinois elementary schools. Parents choosing between these two can set aside any concern about one being a "better" school at the macro level; the meaningful differences emerge in the details.
On academic and growth measures, Belding holds a slight edge. Belding Elem School scores 9.0/10 on academics versus Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences at 8.8/10 — a modest gap. The growth difference is more notable: Belding Elem School earns a 10.0/10 growth score versus Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences at 9.6/10, meaning Belding is outpacing Orozco in year-over-year student progress relative to peers statewide, even though both starting points are exceptional.
The schools diverge more sharply in size and demographics. Belding Elem School enrolls 563 students — more than double Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences at 268. The smaller enrollment at Orozco translates directly into classroom experience: Orozco's student-teacher ratio is 11.2:1 versus Belding's 14.1:1, a meaningful difference in daily adult attention per child. Orozco also serves a higher-need population, with 72% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch compared to 50% at Belding — a signal that Orozco is delivering its near-identical outcomes with a significantly higher concentration of economically disadvantaged students.
Both schools serve grades PK through 08, so families with children across elementary and middle years won't face a transition difference. Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences carries a dedicated fine arts and sciences focus embedded in its name and mission, distinguishing its instructional approach from the general-program model at Belding Elem School. Families prioritizing an arts-integrated or STEM-arts curriculum will find that specialization only at Orozco.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Belding Elem School
Belding Elem School suits families who prioritize raw academic momentum — its 10.0/10 growth score is a standout even among top-1% Illinois schools, and its larger enrollment of 563 students means more extracurricular variety and peer diversity. It's the stronger fit for families where demonstrated year-over-year progress is the deciding metric.
Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences
Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences is the better fit for families who want smaller classrooms — 11.2 students per teacher versus Belding's 14.1 — and a school with an explicit fine arts and sciences identity. Its ability to match Belding's overall 9.3/10 rating while serving a 72% free/reduced-lunch population speaks to exceptional instructional quality per dollar of investment.