Excellent
#145 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 4% in state
Beard Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
6445 W Strong St, Chicago, IL 60656
Enrollment
285
Student-Teacher
7.1:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
285
Student-Teacher
7.1:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#11 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#108 of 2,326
In district
#11 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Beard Elem School
Beard Elem School is a public elementary school in Chicago, IL, part of the Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. The school serves approximately 285 students in grades Pre-K – 3rd with a student-teacher ratio of 7.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 96.2th percentile among IL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 18% proficiency in math and 18% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (10.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $88,000, where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large city setting.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.1:1, Beard Elem School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Beard Elem School — Students at Beard Elem School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 10.0/10.
How Beard Elem School Compares
See how Beard Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2021).
Location
6445 W Strong St, Chicago, IL 60656
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Beard Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST CONSTANCE SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Prussing Elem School (rated 8.0/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Thorp O A Elem Scholastic Acad (rated 8.0/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Garvy J Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Union Ridge Elem School Harwood Heights | 0.5 mi | 5.8 |
| ST ROBERT BELLARMINE SCHOOL Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Smyser Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Taft High School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| ST CONSTANCE SCHOOL Chicago | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Prussing Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Hitch Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| POPE FRANCIS GLOBAL ACADEMY Chicago | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| ST ELIZABETH OF THE TRINITY Chicago | 1.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Bridge Elem School Chicago | 1.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Norwood Park Elem School Chicago | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Oriole Park Elem School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Rickover Naval Academy High Schl Chicago | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Onahan Elem School Chicago | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Thorp O A Elem Scholastic Acad Chicago | 1.6 mi | 8.0 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Chicago | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Ridgewood Comm High School Norridge | 1.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Farnsworth Elem School Chicago | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| J Giles Elem School Norridge | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60656 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$88,000
Median Home Value
$344,400
Median Rent
$1,388/mo
Population
28,726
College Educated
41.7%
Homeownership
64.3%
Avg Commute
31.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Median Age
41.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Beard Elem School has a median household income of $88,000. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $344,400, with a median rent of $1,388/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Arthur Grade School Arthur, IL | 8.7 |
| BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF CHICAGO, LINCOLN P Chicago, IL | 8.7 |
| Carrollton Grade School Carrollton, IL | 8.7 |
| Ellsworth Elem School Naperville, IL | 8.7 |
| Hawthorn Sch for Young Learners Vernon Hills, IL | 8.7 |
| Lincolnwood Elem School Evanston, IL | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Beard Elem School
What grades does Beard Elem School serve?
Beard Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.
How many students attend Beard Elem School?
Beard Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 285 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Beard Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Beard Elem School is 7.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Beard Elem School rank in IL?
Beard Elem School is ranked #145 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Beard Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Beard Elem School has a composite rating of 8.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Beard Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Beard Elem School has 17.5% math proficiency and 17.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Beard Elem School a charter school?
No, Beard Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Beard Elem School a Title I school?
No, Beard Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Beard Elem School?
38.6% of students at Beard Elem School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 60 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 45 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 55 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,030/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 3rd
- Enrollment
- 285
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 534-1228
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #11 of 621
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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