Very Good
#509 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 13% in state
Cather Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
2908 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612
Enrollment
325
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
325
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#55 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#348 of 2,326
In district
#54 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Cather Elem School
Cather Elem School is a regular public elementary school in Chicago, Illinois, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 325 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.5:1, the school benefits from a relatively low teacher-to-student ratio, which can contribute to more personalized attention for each child. The school houses 31 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to helping their students grow academically and personally.
Cather Elem School has received a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks as the 2835th best school in Illinois, placing it in the 26th percentile among all schools in the state. The academic score is 1.8 out of 10, with only 7% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 6% proficient or above in Math across all grades. While these test scores indicate areas where the school has room for improvement, Cather Elem School remains committed to supporting its diverse student body through various educational initiatives.
The school is situated in a bustling city setting within Chicago’s dynamic community. Despite the challenges, Cather Elem School continues to offer a supportive environment for students and families alike.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Cather Elem School — Students at Cather Elem School score 6% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 5%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.9%
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: 9.0/10.
How Cather Elem School Compares
See how Cather Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 7% (2019) to 5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 7% (2019) to 6% (2022).
Location
2908 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cather Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Beidler Elem School (rated 7.4/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Jensen Elem Scholastic Academy (rated 7.0/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Faraday Elem School (rated 6.9/10, 0.5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| LEARN Chtr - Middle School Chicago | 0.3 mi | 7.2 |
| LEARN Charter Excel Campus Chicago | 0.3 mi | 4.4 |
| LEARN Chtr - 7th Campus Chicago | 0.3 mi | 4.6 |
| LEARN Chtr-Campbell Campus Chicago | 0.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Beidler Elem School Chicago | 0.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Morton Elem Career Academy Chicago | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Locke A Elem Charter Academy Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| YCCS-West Town Academy Alt HS Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Marshall Metropolitan High School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Faraday Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Jensen Elem Scholastic Academy Chicago | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Westinghouse High School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.0 |
| IYC Chicago Chicago | 0.6 mi | — |
| Phoenix Military Academy HS Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| ALTUS ACADEMY Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Manley Career Academy High School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Polaris Elem Charter Academy Chicago | 0.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Kellman Corporate Community Elem Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| UCAN ACADEMY Chicago | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| ST MALACHY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60612 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,457
Median Home Value
$331,600
Median Rent
$1,330/mo
Population
34,699
College Educated
41.3%
Homeownership
30.8%
Avg Commute
31.5 min
Poverty Rate
23.5%
Median Age
35.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cather Elem School has a median household income of $60,457. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $331,600, with a median rent of $1,330/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.5%, 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 |
|---|---|
| Barack H Obama Learning Academy Markham, IL | 7.8 |
| Carrie Busey Elem School Savoy, IL | 7.8 |
| Central City Elem School Centralia, IL | 7.8 |
| Drake Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.8 |
| El Sierra Elem School Downers Grove, IL | 7.8 |
| Foster Park Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cather Elem School
What grades does Cather Elem School serve?
Cather Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Cather Elem School?
Cather Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 325 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cather Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cather Elem School is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cather Elem School rank in IL?
Cather Elem School is ranked #509 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Cather Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cather Elem School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Cather Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cather Elem School has 6.0% math proficiency and 6.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cather Elem School a charter school?
No, Cather Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cather Elem School a Title I school?
No, Cather Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cather Elem School?
96.9% of students at Cather 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
- 79 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 77 Excellent Transit
- Bike Score
- 98 Biker’s Paradise
- 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 – 8th
- Enrollment
- 325
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 534-6780
- 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
- #54 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.