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Below Average

#3155 of 3,813 schools in IL

Fernwood Elem School

Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

10041 S Union Ave, Chicago, IL 60628

Enrollment

255

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chicago

#553 of 629

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#1,866 of 2,326

In district

#545 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

About Fernwood Elem School

Fernwood Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 255 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers. Fernwood Elem School focuses on providing a supportive learning environment for its diverse student body.

Academically, the school is in the process of improving, as evidenced by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and state ranking of #3657 out of 3819 schools in Illinois (4th percentile). In terms of proficiency rates, only 20% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 15% meet the standard in math. These scores indicate that Fernwood Elem School is currently focusing on student development and academic growth.

Fernwood Elem School is situated in a large city setting within Chicago’s dynamic environment. The school community works together to support students as they navigate their educational journey.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)6%
vs. Expected+6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

Fernwood Elem School — Students at Fernwood Elem School score 12% 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

94.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 14.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 20.3%
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
22%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2022
ELA
17%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Fernwood Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
17th percentile in IL
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
4.3/10
Below average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

10041 S Union Ave, Chicago, IL 60628

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fernwood Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Green W Elem School (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mount Vernon Elem School (rated 7.7/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lavizzo Elem School (rated 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Evers Elem School Chicago 0.3 mi 7.4
Garvey M Elem School Chicago 0.5 mi 7.2
Wacker Elem School Chicago 0.5 mi 5.3
Mount Vernon Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 7.7
Hughes L Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 6.5
Kipling Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 5.8
UNITED EDUCATIONAL CULTURAL ACADEMY Chicago 0.8 mi
Dunne Technology Acad Elem Sch Chicago 1.0 mi 6.6
Green W Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 7.8
ST MARGARET OF SCOTLAND SCHOOL Chicago 0.8 mi 4.9
Julian High School Chicago 0.8 mi 6.0
OAKDALE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY & CHILD CARE CENTER Chicago 1.0 mi 2.9
Turner-Drew Elem Language Academy Chicago 1.1 mi 4.8
CHRISTIAN S.T.E.M. SCHOLARS ACADEMY Chicago 1.1 mi
CICS - Longwood Campus Chicago 1.1 mi 5.2
CICS - Loomis Primary Campus Chicago 1.1 mi 4.8
Barnard Elem Comp Math & Sci Ctr Chicago 1.0 mi 4.7
Lavizzo Elem School Chicago 1.2 mi 7.6
Harlan Community Academy HS Chicago 1.1 mi 6.9
Fenger Academy High School Chicago 1.5 mi 6.7

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 Fernwood Elem School 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
Apollo Elem School Aledo, IL 4.9
Asian Human Srvcs-Passage Chrtr Chicago, IL 4.9
Avon Center Elem School Round Lake Beach, IL 4.9
COSTA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Galesburg, IL 4.9
Dirksen Elementary School Pekin, IL 4.9
Earhart Elem Opt for Knowl School Chicago, IL 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fernwood Elem School

What grades does Fernwood Elem School serve?

Fernwood Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Fernwood Elem School?

Fernwood Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 255 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fernwood Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fernwood Elem School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fernwood Elem School rank in IL?

Fernwood Elem School is ranked #3155 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Fernwood Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fernwood Elem School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Fernwood Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fernwood Elem School has 14.8% math proficiency and 20.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fernwood Elem School a charter school?

No, Fernwood Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Fernwood Elem School a Title I school?

No, Fernwood Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fernwood Elem School?

94.1% of students at Fernwood 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

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
255
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.1%
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
#545 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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