Dewey Elem School vs Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts
Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts has a higher overall rating of 9.0/10 compared to 6.2/10. In math proficiency, Dewey Elem School leads at 56.0%.
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.
Dewey Elem School
Evanston, IL
333 students
Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts
Evanston, IL
367 students
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| Metric | Dewey Elem School | Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 6.2 / 10 | 9.0 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 9.4 | 8.1 |
| Growth Score | 2.9 | 9.2 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 28.5% | 50.4% |
| Environment Score | 9.9 | 9.8 |
| State Rank | #2,109 of 3,814 | #154 of 3,814 |
| State Percentile | 45th | 96th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Dewey Elem School | Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 56.0% | 34.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 55.0% | 35.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
Neighborhood
| Metric | Evanston (60201) | Evanston (60201) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $92,101 | $92,101 |
| Median Home Value | $577,800 | $577,800 |
| Median Rent | $1,792 | $1,792 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 73.9% | 73.9% |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 14.2% |
| Avg Commute | 27 min | 27 min |
The data story: Dewey Elem School vs Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts
Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts edges out Dewey Elem School on overall rating by 0.2 points — 9.2 vs 9.0 out of 10 — but the more meaningful gap is in state rank: Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts sits at #74 of 3,813 Illinois schools while Dewey Elem School ranks #112. Both schools sit within the top 3% of the state, so the difference is marginal in absolute terms, though parents who prioritize state-rank positioning will find Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts the stronger performer.
The academic and growth scores run in opposite directions, and the split matters depending on what families are optimizing for. Dewey Elem School scores a 9.5/10 on academics versus Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts's 8.4 — a 1.1-point gap that reflects higher current proficiency levels. Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts more than flips the script on growth, scoring 9.4/10 versus Dewey Elem School's 8.3, an 1.1-point advantage showing that students at Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts are gaining ground faster year over year regardless of where they start.
The demographic profile of the two schools differs notably. Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts enrolls 367 students compared to Dewey's 333, and serves a significantly higher share of economically disadvantaged families: 50% free/reduced lunch versus 28% at Dewey Elem School. The classroom experience also diverges sharply — Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts operates at a 7.2:1 student-teacher ratio, compared to Dewey Elem School's 10.7:1. That 3.5-student-per-teacher difference at Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts represents meaningfully more individual attention per child.
The structural distinction that most directly affects family planning is grade span. Dewey Elem School serves kindergarten through grade 5 only, requiring a school transition at middle school. Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts runs kindergarten through grade 8, letting families avoid that transition entirely. The literary and fine arts focus at Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts also signals a differentiated instructional identity — relevant for families with children drawn to performance, writing, or visual arts as a through-line in their elementary and middle years.
Editorial summary generated May 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Dewey Elem School
Dewey Elem School suits families who prioritize current academic proficiency above all else — its 9.5 academic score leads by 1.1 points — and who are comfortable managing a school transition at the end of fifth grade. With a 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio and 28% free/reduced lunch, it serves a less economically diverse student body, which may factor into social environment preferences.
Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts
Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts suits families who value strong academic growth trajectories, smaller class sizes (7.2:1 ratio), and continuity through eighth grade without a mid-childhood school change. Its literary and fine arts identity makes it the clear choice for children with creative strengths. At 50% free/reduced lunch, it also offers a more economically diverse environment than Dewey.