Average
#2160 of 3,813 schools in IL
Cardenas Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
2345 S Millard Ave, Chicago, IL 60623
Enrollment
766
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
766
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#398 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,314 of 2,326
In district
#393 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Cardenas Elem School
Cardenas Elementary School serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade on Chicago's South Side. With an enrollment of 766 students and 59 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, allowing for smaller class environments. Academically, Cardenas is working to strengthen its performance.
Currently, 22% of students are performing at or above proficiency in English language arts, while 16% meet proficiency benchmarks in mathematics. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 reflects these challenges, with room for growth across academic subjects. The school ranks in the 23rd percentile statewide among Illinois schools, indicating significant opportunity for improvement in student achievement and instructional outcomes.
As a regular public school located in a large urban setting, Cardenas serves the diverse community of its Chicago neighborhood. The school provides a neighborhood educational option for families seeking a local school choice in the area.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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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 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 4.5/10.
How Cardenas Elem School Compares
See how Cardenas Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 7.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 23% (2022).
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. Lawndale Elem Community Academy (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Crown Elem Comm Acd Fine Arts Ctr (rated 7.1/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dvorak Technology Acad Elem Sch (rated 7.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 7.1 |
| Little Village Elem School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Farragut Career Academy HS Chicago | 0.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Ortiz De Dominguez Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Dvorak Technology Acad Elem Sch Chicago | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Gary Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| McCormick Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Kanoon Elem Magnet School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Legacy Elem Charter School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Penn Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| KIPP Chicago Chrtrs - Ascend Acad Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Madero Middle School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| North Lawndale Prep Chtr - Christ Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Whitney Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago | 0.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Herzl Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| OUR LADY OF TEPEYAC HIGH SCHOOL Chicago | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Lawndale Elem Community Academy Chicago | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Spry Elem Community School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cardenas Elem School has a median household income of $44,040. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,400, with a median rent of $1,054/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Big Hollow Elem School Ingleside, IL | 6.0 |
| Black Hawk Elem School Glendale Heights, IL | 6.0 |
| Creekside Elem Elgin, IL | 6.0 |
| Davis N Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.0 |
| M J Cunningham Elem Sch Joliet, IL | 6.0 |
| Mary Morgan Elem Sch Byron, IL | 6.0 |
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 is ranked #2160 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Cardenas Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cardenas Elem School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Cardenas Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cardenas Elem School has 16.3% math proficiency and 22.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (4,030/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (773) 534-1465
- 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
- #393 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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