Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District

Chicago Public Schools District 299 is one of the largest urban school districts in the United States, serving 322,809 students across 643 schools in Chicago, Illinois. The sheer scale means families have a wide range of options, from neighborhood elementaries to selective enrollment high schools, making it essential to compare schools carefully before committing to one.

Of the district's 643 schools, 621 carry a ranked score, averaging 6.4 out of 10. That average reflects significant variation across buildings, so individual school performance matters far more than district-wide numbers. Parents searching here will find schools ranging well below that average to well above it, and knowing where a specific school lands relative to peers is the most useful starting point.

At the top of the district, Belding Elementary School and Orozco Elementary Fine Arts and Sciences each score 9.3 out of 10, the highest in District 299. Bronzeville Classical Elementary School and Payton College Preparatory High School follow closely at 9.2, with Pritzker Elementary School rounding out the top tier at 9.1. Payton College Prep stands out at the secondary level as one of Chicago's selective enrollment high schools, drawing academically competitive students from across the city. Orozco's fine arts and sciences focus gives it a distinct identity among elementary options, while Bronzeville Classical draws families seeking a classical curriculum model.

Because the district average sits at 6.4, any school scoring above 8.0 is performing significantly ahead of its peers, and the top-rated schools here score nearly three full points above that benchmark. Parents comparing options should weigh not just overall scores but also program type, commute, and admissions requirements — several of the highest-rated schools in District 299 use selective or application-based enrollment, meaning proximity alone does not guarantee access. Using school-level ratings alongside enrollment criteria will give the clearest picture of what's realistically available for a given student.