Needs Improvement
#3600 of 3,813 schools in IL
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
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
325
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,600 of 3,813
In Chicago
#599 of 630
public schools
In district
#590 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
7.1 / 10
Very Good
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Cather Elem School
Elementary School in Chicago · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Learn Chtr - Middle School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Learn Charter Excel Campus
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cather Elem School
Cather Elem School is a public elementary school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Cather Elem School serves approximately 325 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Cather Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #3,600 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Cather Elem School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.9
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
45% of students at Cather 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
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 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: 1.7/10.
How Cather Elem School Compares
See how Cather Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. LEARN Charter Excel Campus (rated 7.6/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LEARN Chtr - 7th Campus (rated 7.0/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LEARN Chtr-Campbell Campus (rated 6.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 6.5 |
| LEARN Charter Excel Campus Chicago | 0.3 mi | 7.6 |
| LEARN Chtr - 7th Campus Chicago | 0.3 mi | 7.0 |
| LEARN Chtr-Campbell Campus Chicago | 0.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Beidler Elem School Chicago | 0.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Morton Elem Career Academy Chicago | 0.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Locke A Elem Charter Academy Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| YCCS-West Town Academy Alt HS Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Marshall Metropolitan High School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Faraday Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Jensen Elem Scholastic Academy Chicago | 0.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Westinghouse High School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| IYC Chicago Chicago | 0.6 mi | — |
| Phoenix Military Academy HS Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| ALTUS ACADEMY Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Manley Career Academy High School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Polaris Elem Charter Academy Chicago | 0.8 mi | 3.5 |
| Kellman Corporate Community Elem Chicago | 0.9 mi | 3.6 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Beidler Elem School Chicago, IL | 3.7 |
| Dunbar Elem School East Saint Louis, IL | 3.7 |
| George O Barr School Silvis, IL | 3.7 |
| Howe Elem School Chicago, IL | 3.7 |
| Jane Addams Elem School Melrose Park, IL | 3.7 |
| McKinley Elem School Elgin, IL | 3.7 |
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 ranks #3,600 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Cather Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cather Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Cather Elem School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cather Elem School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 44.9%
- Phone
- (773) 534-6780
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #590 of 621
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