Very Good
#586 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 15% in state
Cics - Northtown Campus
High School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
3900 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Enrollment
843
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
7.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
843
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
7.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#69 of 629
public schools
Illinois high schools
#91 of 703
In district
#68 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Cics - Northtown Campus
# CICS - Northtown Campus CICS - Northtown Campus is a public charter high school serving grades 9–12 in Chicago's North Side community. With an enrollment of 843 students and 55 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1, which allows for reasonable classroom-sized learning environments. Academically, the school is working to strengthen its core programs.
In math and English language arts, proficiency levels are currently below state averages, with 17% of students performing at or above proficiency in math and 14% in reading across all grades. The school's overall academic score of 3.9/10 reflects these challenges, positioning it at the 60th percentile statewide (ranked #1535 out of 3,819 Illinois schools). These metrics indicate areas where the school is focusing resources on student development and improvement.
Located at 3900 W Peterson Avenue, CICS - Northtown Campus serves as a neighborhood high school in one of Chicago's large, diverse communities. The charter structure provides flexibility in how the school designs its curriculum and programs to meet student needs on the city's North Side.
What Parents Should Know
Cics - Northtown Campus is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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Cics - Northtown Campus — Students at Cics - Northtown Campus score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.6%
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: 8.7/10.
How Cics - Northtown Campus Compares
See how Cics - Northtown Campus performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 20% (2019) to 14% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 13% (2019) to 16% (2022).
Location
3900 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cics - Northtown Campus may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Northside College Preparatory Hs (rated 9.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Von Steuben Metro Science HS (rated 7.6/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, LUBAVITCH GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| YESHIVA GEDOLA OF THE MIDWEST/YESHIVA EITZ CHAIM Chicago | 0.1 mi | 5.8 |
| ALL ABOARD LEARNING EXPRESS Chicago | 0.3 mi | — |
| Solomon Elem School Chicago | 0.3 mi | 6.4 |
| YESHIVAS MEOR HATORAH OF CHICAGO Chicago | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| SAUGANASH MONTESSORI SCHOOL Chicago | 0.7 mi | — |
| Lincoln Hall Middle School Lincolnwood | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| ICC FULL TIME SCHOOL Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| ICC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago | 0.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Rutledge Hall Elem School Lincolnwood | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Todd Hall Elem School Lincolnwood | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Peterson Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| JOAN DACHS BAIS YAAKOV ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Sauganash Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| TELSHE HIGH SCHOOL Chicago | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Volta Elem School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Palmer Elem School Chicago | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Northside College Preparatory Hs Chicago | 1.2 mi | 9.1 |
| LUBAVITCH GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL Chicago | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Von Steuben Metro Science HS Chicago | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| KNAPP SCHOOL AND YESHIVA Chicago | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60659 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,033
Median Home Value
$358,800
Median Rent
$1,391/mo
Population
42,008
College Educated
40.2%
Homeownership
45.4%
Avg Commute
30.5 min
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cics - Northtown Campus has a median household income of $70,033. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $358,800, with a median rent of $1,391/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.8%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Acero Chtr Netrk - Major Garcia Chicago, IL | 7.7 |
| Intrinsic Charter High School Chicago, IL | 7.7 |
| Woodstock North High School Woodstock, IL | 7.7 |
| MOUNT CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL Chicago, IL | 7.8 |
| Prairie Ridge High School Crystal Lake, IL | 7.6 |
| Chicago HS for the Arts Chicago, IL | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cics - Northtown Campus
What grades does Cics - Northtown Campus serve?
Cics - Northtown Campus serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Cics - Northtown Campus?
Cics - Northtown Campus has an enrollment of approximately 843 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cics - Northtown Campus?
The student-teacher ratio at Cics - Northtown Campus is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cics - Northtown Campus rank in IL?
Cics - Northtown Campus is ranked #586 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Cics - Northtown Campus's MySchoolScout rating?
Cics - Northtown Campus has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Cics - Northtown Campus?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cics - Northtown Campus has 17.0% math proficiency and 14.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cics - Northtown Campus a charter school?
Yes, Cics - Northtown Campus is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Cics - Northtown Campus a Title I school?
No, Cics - Northtown Campus is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cics - Northtown Campus?
70.6% of students at Cics - Northtown Campus 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
- 71 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 47 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 55 Bikeable
- 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 843
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 478-3655
- 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
- #68 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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