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Average

#2358 of 3,813 schools in IL

Columbus West Elementary School

Elementary School · Cicero SD 99

5425 W 31st St, Cicero, IL 60804

Enrollment

549

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cicero

#7 of 17

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#1,423 of 2,326

In district

#6 of 15

Cicero SD 99

School environment

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Columbus West Elementary School

Columbus West Elementary School in Cicero, Illinois is a regular public elementary school serving students from preschool through fourth grade. With an enrollment of 549 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 40 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a large suburban area, Columbus West focuses on nurturing young learners despite facing challenges reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and state ranking at #3561 out of 3819 schools in Illinois.

The academic performance data shows areas for growth, with only 12% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 6% proficiency or above in Math across all grades. Columbus West Elementary School is situated in an area that values community engagement and support as it works to enhance educational outcomes for its students.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Columbus West Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress6.7Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.5%
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)14%
vs. Expected-9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,733

Columbus West Elementary School — Students at Columbus West Elementary School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 5.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 12.2%
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
9%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
ELA
7.5%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Columbus West Elementary School Compares

See how Columbus West Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in IL
Academic
2.9/10
2.9/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

Location

5425 W 31st St, Cicero, IL 60804

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbus West Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sherlock Elem School (rated 6.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Komensky Elem School (rated 6.4/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Berwyn), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Woodrow Wilson Elem School (rated 5.3/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cicero, see our Cicero schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Columbus East Elem School Cicero 0.1 mi 6.8
District 99 Early Childhood Ctr Cicero 0.5 mi 4.7
Drexel Elem School Cicero 0.6 mi 5.2
Cicero East Elem School Cicero 0.6 mi 5.6
OUR LADY OF CHARITY SCHOOL Cicero 0.8 mi 4.5
Goodwin Elementary School Cicero 0.8 mi 4.9
Woodrow Wilson Elem School Cicero 0.9 mi 5.3
Sherlock Elem School Cicero 1.0 mi 6.6
J Sterling Morton East High Sch Cicero 1.0 mi 6.5
Abe Lincoln Elem School Cicero 0.9 mi 5.2
Unity Jr High School Cicero 1.2 mi 6.2
Cicero West Elementary School Cicero 1.1 mi 4.1
J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr Cicero 1.4 mi 5.2
Komensky Elem School Berwyn 1.2 mi 6.4
Freedom Middle School Berwyn 1.2 mi 7.5
World Language High School Chicago 1.3 mi 7.8
School of Social Justice HS Chicago 1.3 mi 5.9
Multicultural Arts High School Chicago 1.3 mi 6.4
Infinity Math Science & Tech HS Chicago 1.3 mi 7.6
Zapata Elem Academy Chicago 1.3 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60804 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,548

Median Home Value

$236,000

Median Rent

$1,121/mo

Population

83,223

College Educated

11%

Homeownership

54.6%

Avg Commute

29.7 min

Poverty Rate

13.1%

Median Age

34.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbus West Elementary School has a median household income of $68,548. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,000, with a median rent of $1,121/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Adolph Link Elem School Elk Grove Village, IL 5.8
Beckemeyer Elem School Hillsboro, IL 5.8
Belmont-Cragin Elem School Chicago, IL 5.8
Burley Elem School Chicago, IL 5.8
Buzz Aldrin Elem School Schaumburg, IL 5.8
Chatham Elem School Chatham, IL 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbus West Elementary School

What grades does Columbus West Elementary School serve?

Columbus West Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Columbus West Elementary School?

Columbus West Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 549 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbus West Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbus West Elementary School is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbus West Elementary School rank in IL?

Columbus West Elementary School is ranked #2358 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Columbus West Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbus West Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Columbus West Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbus West Elementary School has 5.8% math proficiency and 12.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Columbus West Elementary School a charter school?

No, Columbus West Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Columbus West Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Columbus West Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbus West Elementary School?

76.3% of students at Columbus West Elementary 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,593/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cicero). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
549
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Cook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cicero SD 99
District Enrollment
8,598
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,162
District Rank
#6 of 15

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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