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Very Good

#512 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 13% in state

Foster Park Elem School

Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

8530 S Wood St, Chicago, IL 60620

Enrollment

336

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chicago

#58 of 629

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#351 of 2,326

In district

#57 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Foster Park Elem School

Foster Park Elem School is a regular public school located in Chicago, Illinois, at 8530 S Wood St. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 336 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 with 24 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its modest academic performance ranking—4.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout and in the 39th percentile for state rankings—the school focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages personal and educational growth.

In terms of standardized test scores, Foster Park Elem School sees 12% proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, and 17% proficiency in Math. These numbers indicate areas where the school is focusing its efforts to improve student outcomes. Set in a bustling city setting, Foster Park Elem School serves as an integral part of the community, aiming to provide students with a solid foundation for their educational journey despite facing challenges common to urban schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.97 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.2Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)10%
vs. Expected+4.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

Foster Park Elem School — Students at Foster Park Elem School score 14% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 10%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 17.0%
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
17%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
7.5%
2022
ELA
12%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Foster Park Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
87th percentile in IL
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

Location

8530 S Wood St, Chicago, IL 60620

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Foster Park Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Randolph Elem School (rated 7.5/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Barton Elem School (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Cuffe Math-Sci Tech Elem Academy (rated 7.3/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
ST ETHELREDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago 0.3 mi 4.2
LEARN Chtr - Hunter Perkins Camp Chicago 0.3 mi 5.3
CICS - Ralph Ellison Campus Chicago 0.7 mi 5.5
Cook Elem School Chicago 0.6 mi 6.7
Joplin Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 6.3
THE NAUTILUS SCHOOL Chicago 1.0 mi
CHRIST THE KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago 1.0 mi 6.5
Cuffe Math-Sci Tech Elem Academy Chicago 0.8 mi 7.3
Kellogg Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 4.2
Fort Dearborn Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 6.9
Barton Elem School Chicago 1.1 mi 7.4
Noble St Chtr-Hansberry Prep Slvr Chicago 0.9 mi 6.0
Vanderpoel Elem Magnet School Chicago 1.3 mi 6.0
ST SABINA ACADEMY Chicago 1.2 mi 4.8
CICS - Longwood Campus Chicago 1.4 mi 5.2
CICS - Loomis Primary Campus Chicago 1.4 mi 4.8
Jackson M Elem School Chicago 1.2 mi 7.1
Gresham Elem School Chicago 1.2 mi 6.0
Randolph Elem School Chicago 1.6 mi 7.5
OAKDALE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY & CHILD CARE CENTER Chicago 1.4 mi 2.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60620 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,805

Median Home Value

$187,900

Median Rent

$1,093/mo

Population

66,511

College Educated

20.5%

Homeownership

49.8%

Avg Commute

38.4 min

Poverty Rate

21.8%

Median Age

38.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Foster Park Elem School has a median household income of $48,805. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $187,900, with a median rent of $1,093/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 38 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
Barack H Obama Learning Academy Markham, IL 7.8
Carrie Busey Elem School Savoy, IL 7.8
Cather Elem School Chicago, IL 7.8
Central City Elem School Centralia, IL 7.8
Drake Elem School Chicago, IL 7.8
El Sierra Elem School Downers Grove, IL 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Foster Park Elem School

What grades does Foster Park Elem School serve?

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

How many students attend Foster Park Elem School?

Foster Park Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 336 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Foster Park Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Foster Park Elem School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Foster Park Elem School rank in IL?

Foster Park Elem School is ranked #512 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Foster Park Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Foster Park Elem School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Foster Park Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Foster Park Elem School has 17.0% math proficiency and 12.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Foster Park Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Foster Park Elem School a Title I school?

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

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

84.5% of students at Foster Park 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
71 Very Walkable
Transit Score
61 Good Transit
Bike Score
74 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,030/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
336
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.5%
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
#57 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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