Very Good
#997 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 26% in state
Cardenas Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
2345 S Millard Ave, Chicago, IL 60623
Enrollment
766
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
766
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#997 of 3,813
In Chicago
#118 of 630
public schools
In district
#115 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very Good
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Cardenas Elem School
Elementary School in Chicago · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St Agnes of Bohemia School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Crown Elem Comm Acd Fine Arts Ctr
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cardenas Elem School
Cardenas Elem School is a public elementary school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Cardenas Elem School serves approximately 766 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Cardenas Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #997 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Cardenas Elem School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.3 · Very Good
- District avg 5.9
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
37% of students at Cardenas Elem School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cardenas Elem School — Students at Cardenas Elem School score 15% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How Cardenas Elem School Compares
See how Cardenas Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
2345 S Millard Ave, Chicago, IL 60623
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cardenas Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. KIPP Chicago Chrtrs - Ascend Acad (rated 7.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ortiz De Dominguez Elem School (rated 6.5/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Kanoon Elem Magnet School (rated 6.3/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST AGNES OF BOHEMIA SCHOOL Chicago | 0.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Crown Elem Comm Acd Fine Arts Ctr Chicago | 0.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Little Village Elem School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Farragut Career Academy HS Chicago | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Ortiz De Dominguez Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Dvorak Technology Acad Elem Sch Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Gary Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| McCormick Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Kanoon Elem Magnet School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Legacy Elem Charter School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 2.8 |
| Penn Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| KIPP Chicago Chrtrs - Ascend Acad Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Madero Middle School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 4.7 |
| North Lawndale Prep Chtr - Christ Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Whitney Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago | 0.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Herzl Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| OUR LADY OF TEPEYAC HIGH SCHOOL Chicago | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Lawndale Elem Community Academy Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Spry Elem Community School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60623 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$44,040
Median Home Value
$221,400
Median Rent
$1,054/mo
Population
77,061
College Educated
13.7%
Homeownership
38.4%
Avg Commute
32.4 min
Poverty Rate
24.7%
Median Age
35.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bradley East Elem School Bradley, IL | 7.3 |
| Canty Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.3 |
| Centennial School Bartlett, IL | 7.3 |
| Chappell Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.3 |
| Freedom Elem School Plainfield, IL | 7.3 |
| Grande Reserve Elem Sch Yorkville, IL | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cardenas Elem School
What grades does Cardenas Elem School serve?
Cardenas Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Cardenas Elem School?
Cardenas Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 766 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cardenas Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cardenas Elem School is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cardenas Elem School rank in IL?
Cardenas Elem School ranks #997 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Cardenas Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cardenas Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cardenas Elem School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cardenas Elem School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Cardenas Elem School a charter school?
No, Cardenas Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cardenas Elem School a Title I school?
No, Cardenas Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cardenas Elem School?
94.9% of students at Cardenas 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 766
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 59
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 94.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.7%
- Phone
- (773) 534-1465
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #115 of 621
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