Average
#1360 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 36% in state
Carson Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
5516 S Maplewood Ave, Chicago, IL 60629
Enrollment
747
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
747
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#245 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#867 of 2,326
In district
#243 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Carson Elem School
Carson Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Chicago's South Side, with an enrollment of 747 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.6 to 1, supported by 51 full-time equivalent teachers. Currently, Carson Elementary is working toward strengthening its academic performance, with proficiency rates showing room for growth.
In English language arts, 20% of students are performing at or above proficient levels across grades, while in math, 15% of students are meeting proficiency benchmarks. These results reflect the school's focus on student development and improvement. As a regular public school located in one of Illinois's largest cities, Carson Elementary is part of Chicago's diverse educational landscape.
The school's substantial enrollment and dedicated teaching staff indicate an active community presence in the South Maplewood Avenue corridor, where the school serves families seeking accessible neighborhood-based education for their children.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Carson Elem School — Students at Carson Elem School score 15% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 7%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.2%
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: 6.6/10.
How Carson Elem School Compares
See how Carson Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 21% (2019) to 9% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 21% (2022).
Location
5516 S Maplewood Ave, Chicago, IL 60629
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carson Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Claremont Academy Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Henderson Elem School (rated 7.0/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Nightingale Elem School (rated 6.8/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Talman Elem School Chicago | 0.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Gage Park High School Chicago | 0.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Nightingale Elem School Chicago | 0.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr Chicago | 0.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Acero Chtr - Rufino Tamayo Elem Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Christopher Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Morrill Elem Math & Sci School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Shields Middle School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Fairfield Elem Academy Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| ST GALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Henderson Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Noble St Chtr - Mansueto Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Claremont Academy Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Earle Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Sawyer Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Acero Chtr - Officer Marquez Elem Chicago | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Back of The Yards IB HS Chicago | 1.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Daley Elem Academy Chicago | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| CICS - Basil Campus Chicago | 0.9 mi | 3.3 |
| Lindblom Math & Science Acad HS Chicago | 1.1 mi | 8.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60629 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,813
Median Home Value
$236,300
Median Rent
$1,106/mo
Population
109,292
College Educated
14.3%
Homeownership
61.2%
Avg Commute
36.1 min
Poverty Rate
18.2%
Median Age
34.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carson Elem School has a median household income of $58,813. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,300, with a median rent of $1,106/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.2%. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bristol Bay Elem Sch Yorkville, IL | 6.8 |
| Butterfield School Libertyville, IL | 6.8 |
| Cleveland Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.8 |
| Clifford Johnson School Warrenville, IL | 6.8 |
| Eberhart Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.8 |
| Falconer Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carson Elem School
What grades does Carson Elem School serve?
Carson Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Carson Elem School?
Carson Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 747 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carson Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Carson Elem School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carson Elem School rank in IL?
Carson Elem School is ranked #1360 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Carson Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Carson Elem School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Carson Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carson Elem School has 15.0% math proficiency and 20.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carson Elem School a charter school?
No, Carson Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carson Elem School a Title I school?
No, Carson Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carson Elem School?
92.2% of students at Carson 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
- 747
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 535-9222
- 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
- #243 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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