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Below Average

#3493 of 3,813 schools in IL

Cics - Prairie Campus

Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

11530 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60628

Charter

Enrollment

416

Student-Teacher

20.8:1

Score

4.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chicago

#605 of 629

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#2,088 of 2,326

In district

#597 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

About Cics - Prairie Campus

CICS - Prairie Campus is a charter school located in Chicago, Illinois, serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 416 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.8:1, the school has 20 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse learning community. The academic performance at CICS - Prairie Campus shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #3688 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it in the fourth percentile.

On standardized tests, only 12% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 11% are proficient or above in Math. Located in Chicago's vibrant urban landscape, CICS - Prairie Campus is part of a large city setting that offers many cultural and educational opportunities for its students.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Cics - Prairie Campus is 20.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Cics - Prairie 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency9%
Overall Proficiency7%
Expected (poverty-adj.)6%
vs. Expected+0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

Cics - Prairie Campus — Students at Cics - Prairie Campus score 7% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 11.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 11.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
17%
ELA
20%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
6%
2022
ELA
9%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Cics - Prairie Campus Compares

See how Cics - Prairie Campus performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
8th percentile in IL
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
2.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

11530 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60628

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cics - Prairie Campus may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Smith W Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lavizzo Elem School (rated 7.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Haley Elem Academy (rated 7.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Curtis Elem School Chicago 0.2 mi 6.6
Chicago Collegiate Charter School Chicago 0.4 mi 4.4
Pullman Elem School Chicago 0.5 mi 6.0
Brooks College Prep Academy HS Chicago 0.7 mi 8.6
Lavizzo Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 7.6
Owens Community Academy ES Chicago 1.0 mi 6.8
Haley Elem Academy Chicago 0.9 mi 7.6
Cullen Elem School Chicago 1.1 mi 6.9
Poe Elem Classical School Chicago 1.4 mi 5.1
Fenger Academy High School Chicago 1.1 mi 6.7
Metcalfe Elem Community Academy Chicago 1.4 mi 6.9
Hughes L Elem School Chicago 1.6 mi 6.5
ST JOHN DE LA SALLE CATHOLIC ACADEMY Chicago 1.7 mi 5.7
Dunne Technology Acad Elem Sch Chicago 1.4 mi 6.6
Bennett Elem School Chicago 1.8 mi 6.7
Corliss High School Chicago 1.7 mi 6.2
Smith W Elem School Chicago 1.7 mi 7.9
Noble St Chtr-Butler - Crimson Chicago 1.7 mi 7.1
Aldridge Elem School Chicago 1.9 mi 7.1
Brown R Elem Community Acad Chicago 1.8 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60628 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,719

Median Home Value

$158,500

Median Rent

$1,168/mo

Population

59,212

College Educated

23.8%

Homeownership

57.8%

Avg Commute

38.7 min

Poverty Rate

24.2%

Median Age

40.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cics - Prairie Campus has a median household income of $49,719. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $158,500, with a median rent of $1,168/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 39 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
Albert Einstein Elem School Hanover Park, IL 4.4
Black Hawk Elem School Springfield, IL 4.4
Burr Oak Academy Calumet Park, IL 4.4
Cassell Elem School Chicago, IL 4.4
Early Childhood Quincy, IL 4.4
Heather Hill Elem School Flossmoor, IL 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cics - Prairie Campus

What grades does Cics - Prairie Campus serve?

Cics - Prairie Campus serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Cics - Prairie Campus?

Cics - Prairie Campus has an enrollment of approximately 416 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cics - Prairie Campus?

The student-teacher ratio at Cics - Prairie Campus is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cics - Prairie Campus rank in IL?

Cics - Prairie Campus is ranked #3493 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Cics - Prairie Campus's MySchoolScout rating?

Cics - Prairie Campus has a composite rating of 4.4 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 - Prairie Campus?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cics - Prairie Campus has 11.0% math proficiency and 11.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cics - Prairie Campus a charter school?

Yes, Cics - Prairie Campus is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Cics - Prairie Campus a Title I school?

No, Cics - Prairie Campus is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cics - Prairie Campus?

93.5% of students at Cics - Prairie 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
416
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Cook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
District Enrollment
322,809
Schools in District
643
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,699
District Rank
#597 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 methodology

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