Average
#1447 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 38% in state
Darwin Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
3116 W Belden Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Enrollment
500
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
500
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#255 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#914 of 2,326
In district
#252 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Darwin Elem School
Darwin Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Darwin Elem School has an enrollment of 500 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1 with 37 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s setting in the heart of a large city offers a diverse urban environment.
While the academic performance data shows room for improvement—state ranking at #2760 out of 3819 schools in Illinois and an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 9% and Math proficiency rate of 10%—the school community is committed to student development. With a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.4 out of 10, parents can see that there is ongoing work being done to enhance educational outcomes. Darwin Elem School sits in the dynamic city landscape of Chicago, surrounded by urban neighborhoods and cultural landmarks.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Darwin Elem 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Darwin Elem School — Students at Darwin Elem School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 12%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.2%
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
↓ 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: 7.7/10.
How Darwin Elem School Compares
See how Darwin Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 7.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 13% (2019) to 7% (2022).
Location
3116 W Belden Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Darwin Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST JOHN BERCHMANS SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Yates Elem School (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lowell Elem School (rated 8.0/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NEW LIFE ACADEMY Chicago | 0.4 mi | 5.6 |
| SALEM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL AKA NEW LIFE ACADEMY Chicago | 0.4 mi | — |
| Yates Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Avondale - Logandale Elem Sch Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Brentano Elem Math & Science Acad Chicago | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Chase Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Goethe Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Funston Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Stowe Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Moos Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Acero Chtr - Carlos Fuentes Elem Chicago | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| ST JOHN BERCHMANS SCHOOL Chicago | 0.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Monroe Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.7 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chicago | 0.8 mi | — |
| Linne Elem School Chicago | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| GREENFIELDS ACADEMY Chicago | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Lowell Elem School Chicago | 1.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Mozart Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Aspira Charter - Bus and Fin Chicago | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Marine Leadership Academy - Ames Chicago | 1.0 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60647 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$102,851
Median Home Value
$557,300
Median Rent
$1,714/mo
Population
85,589
College Educated
60.9%
Homeownership
38.3%
Avg Commute
33.1 min
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Median Age
32.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Darwin Elem School has a median household income of $102,851. It is a well-educated community where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $557,300, with a median rent of $1,714/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.3%. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC ACADEMY Naperville, IL | 6.7 |
| Adlai Stevenson Elem School Elk Grove Village, IL | 6.7 |
| Annette Officer Elementary East Saint Louis, IL | 6.7 |
| Annie Jo Gordon Comm Lrning Cntr Peoria, IL | 6.7 |
| Audubon Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.7 |
| Avondale - Logandale Elem Sch Chicago, IL | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Darwin Elem School
What grades does Darwin Elem School serve?
Darwin Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Darwin Elem School?
Darwin Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 500 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Darwin Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Darwin Elem School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Darwin Elem School rank in IL?
Darwin Elem School is ranked #1447 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Darwin Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Darwin Elem School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Darwin Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Darwin Elem School has 9.8% math proficiency and 9.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Darwin Elem School a charter school?
No, Darwin Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Darwin Elem School a Title I school?
No, Darwin Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Darwin Elem School?
81.2% of students at Darwin 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
- City Safety
- High (4,030/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 500
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 534-4110
- 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
- #252 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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