Average
#1953 of 3,813 schools in IL
Carter Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
5740 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
Enrollment
279
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
279
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#362 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,197 of 2,326
In district
#357 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Carter Elem School
Carter Elem School is a regular public school located in Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Carter Elem School has an enrollment of 279 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.7 out of 10, placing it in the 13th percentile among Illinois schools based on its state ranking of #3323 out of 3819.
In terms of academic performance, Carter Elem School shows room for improvement with a reading proficiency rate of just 9% and an 8% proficiency rate in math. Despite these numbers, the school is committed to supporting student development through various educational initiatives and programs tailored to meet individual needs. Located in a large city setting, Carter Elem School serves a diverse community within Chicago’s vibrant urban landscape.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Carter Elem School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Carter Elem School — Students at Carter Elem School score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 12%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.7%
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
↓ 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: 7.0/10.
How Carter Elem School Compares
See how Carter Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 14% (2019) to 7.5% (2022).
Location
5740 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carter Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Brownell Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Burke Elem School (rated 7.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KIPP Chicago Chrtrs Bloom Campus (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CICS - Washington Pk Campus Chicago | 0.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Sherwood Elem School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Beasley Elem Magnet Academic Ctr Chicago | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| RYAN BANKS ACADEMY Chicago | 0.6 mi | — |
| RYAN BANKS ACADEMY Chicago | 0.6 mi | — |
| Burke Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Dulles Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Urban Prep Chtr Acad Englewood HS Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Bronzeville Scholastic HS Chicago | 1.0 mi | 9.1 |
| Fiske Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Williams Medical Prep High Sch Chicago | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Walter Henri Dyett HS for Arts Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Noble St Chtr-Johnson Colg Prep Chicago | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| YCCS-Progressive Leadership Acad Chicago | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| KIPP Chicago Chrtrs Bloom Campus Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Brownell Elem School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Barbara A Sizemore Campus Chicago | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Beethoven Elem School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts Chicago | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Till Elem Math & Science Academy Chicago | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60637 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,080
Median Home Value
$243,700
Median Rent
$1,170/mo
Population
52,418
College Educated
36.8%
Homeownership
26.1%
Avg Commute
32.5 min
Poverty Rate
32.3%
Median Age
31.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carter Elem School has a median household income of $42,080. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $243,700, with a median rent of $1,170/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur, IL | 6.2 |
| Bismarck-Henning Elem School Bismarck, IL | 6.2 |
| Bond Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.2 |
| Central Elem School Des Plaines, IL | 6.2 |
| Coal City Elem School Coal City, IL | 6.2 |
| Esmond Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carter Elem School
What grades does Carter Elem School serve?
Carter Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Carter Elem School?
Carter Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 279 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carter Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Carter Elem School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carter Elem School rank in IL?
Carter Elem School is ranked #1953 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Carter Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Carter Elem School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Carter Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carter Elem School has 8.5% math proficiency and 8.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carter Elem School a charter school?
No, Carter Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carter Elem School a Title I school?
No, Carter Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carter Elem School?
81.7% of students at Carter 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
- 279
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 535-0860
- 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
- #357 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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