Skip to main content

Average

#1539 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 40% in state

Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts

Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

5415 S Union Ave, Chicago, IL 60609

Enrollment

265

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chicago

#278 of 629

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#972 of 2,326

In district

#275 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts

Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts is a public elementary school located in Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 265 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's focus on fine arts offers unique opportunities for creative expression and learning.

Academically, Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts is rated at 3.9 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 17th percentile among Illinois schools based on state rankings. Test scores show that only 10% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading, while just 7% meet proficiency standards in Math. Despite these challenges, the school is committed to student development and providing a supportive learning environment.

Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts is situated in a bustling part of Chicago, offering its students an urban setting rich with cultural experiences and community resources.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.06 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.5%
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)5%
vs. Expected-0.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts — Students at Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 5%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 7.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 10.5%
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
12%
ELA
12%
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: 6.9/10.

How Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts Compares

See how Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
60th percentile in IL
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

5415 S Union Ave, Chicago, IL 60609

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Langford A Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is VISITATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sherman Elem School (rated 7.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
KIPP Chicago Chrtrs Bloom Campus Chicago 0.2 mi 7.1
VISITATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chicago 0.3 mi 7.5
Holmes Elem School Chicago 0.4 mi 7.3
Sherman Elem School Chicago 0.5 mi 7.4
Tilden Career Communty Academy HS Chicago 0.8 mi 7.0
Sherwood Elem School Chicago 0.6 mi 4.7
RYAN BANKS ACADEMY Chicago 0.6 mi
RYAN BANKS ACADEMY Chicago 0.6 mi
Nicholson Tech Acad Elem Sch Chicago 0.8 mi 7.4
Urban Prep Chtr Acad Englewood HS Chicago 1.0 mi 7.8
CS ACADEMY Chicago 1.0 mi 6.2
Graham A Elem School Chicago 1.2 mi 5.6
Beasley Elem Magnet Academic Ctr Chicago 0.9 mi 5.7
Libby Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 6.3
Noble St Chtr-Johnson Colg Prep Chicago 1.2 mi 6.5
Langford A Elem School Chicago 1.1 mi 7.9
Bronzeville Scholastic HS Chicago 1.1 mi 9.1
Kershaw Elem School Chicago 1.3 mi 7.2
Beethoven Elem School Chicago 1.2 mi 6.1
Williams Medical Prep High Sch Chicago 1.1 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60609 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,142

Median Home Value

$251,600

Median Rent

$1,070/mo

Population

64,268

College Educated

20%

Homeownership

41.6%

Avg Commute

33 min

Poverty Rate

25.3%

Median Age

35.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts has a median household income of $54,142. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $251,600, with a median rent of $1,070/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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
A J Katzenmaier Academy North Chicago, IL 6.6
Avoca West Elem School Glenview, IL 6.6
Brownstown Elem School Brownstown, IL 6.6
Central Elem School Pontiac, IL 6.6
Curtis Elem School Chicago, IL 6.6
Dunne Technology Acad Elem Sch Chicago, IL 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts

What grades does Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts serve?

Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts?

Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts has an enrollment of approximately 265 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts?

The student-teacher ratio at Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts rank in IL?

Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts is ranked #1539 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts's MySchoolScout rating?

Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts has 7.3% math proficiency and 10.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts a charter school?

No, Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts a Title I school?

No, Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts?

95.5% of students at Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts 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
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
265
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.5%
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
#275 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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.