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Below Average

#3237 of 3,813 schools in IL

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

4.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#3,237 of 3,813

In Chicago

#535 of 630

public schools

In district

#526 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

School environment

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Darwin Elem School

4.5/10

Elementary School in Chicago · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

New Life Academy

5.6/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Salem Christian School Aka New Life Academy

Nearby

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Darwin Elem School

Darwin Elem School is a public elementary school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Darwin Elem School serves approximately 500 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Darwin Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #3,237 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Darwin Elem School show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • IL avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-6.24 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency7% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency7% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)12% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,699
Chronic Absenteeism22.4%

Darwin Elem School — Students at Darwin Elem School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 12%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 30.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
64%
2010
Math
81%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
69%
2012
Math
45%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
48%
ELA
44%
2014
Math
15%
ELA
25%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
19%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
13%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
13%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
ELA
7%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Darwin Elem School Compares

See how Darwin Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
15th percentile in IL
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.7/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.4%

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 Acero Chtr - Carlos Fuentes Elem (rated 7.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Linne Elem School (rated 7.0/10, 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 4.8
Avondale - Logandale Elem Sch Chicago 0.8 mi 5.0
Brentano Elem Math & Science Acad Chicago 0.7 mi 5.6
Chase Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 4.8
Goethe Elem School Chicago 0.6 mi 4.0
Funston Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 5.5
Stowe Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 6.4
Moos Elem School Chicago 0.8 mi 5.5
Acero Chtr - Carlos Fuentes Elem Chicago 1.0 mi 7.3
ST JOHN BERCHMANS SCHOOL Chicago 0.8 mi 8.3
Monroe Elem School Chicago 0.8 mi 5.8
GOOD SHEPHERD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chicago 0.8 mi
Linne Elem School Chicago 1.2 mi 7.0
GREENFIELDS ACADEMY Chicago 1.2 mi 6.8
Lowell Elem School Chicago 1.2 mi 5.5
Mozart Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 4.6
Aspira Charter - Bus and Fin Chicago 1.1 mi 6.1
Marine Leadership Academy - Ames Chicago 1.0 mi 6.1

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Arcadia Elem School Olympia Fields, IL 4.5
Arthur Froberg Elem School Rockford, IL 4.5
Ashe Elem School Chicago, IL 4.5
Conklin Elem School Rockford, IL 4.5
Dawn Elser Elementary School O Fallon, IL 4.5
Denkmann Elem School Rock Island, IL 4.5

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 ranks #3,237 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Darwin Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Darwin Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Darwin Elem School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Darwin Elem School has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
93 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
72 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
99 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.4%

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