Average
#1542 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 40% in state
Gillespie Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
9301 S State St, Chicago, IL 60619
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#281 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#975 of 2,326
In district
#278 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Gillespie Elem School
Gillespie Elem School is a public elementary school in Chicago, Illinois, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 342 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.7:1, the school provides a relatively low teacher workload compared to some others. Gillespie Elem School has 27 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its diverse community.
The academic performance at Gillespie Elem School is currently rated at 3.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 13th percentile among Illinois schools based on state rankings. In terms of proficiency rates, only 9% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 4% in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school can focus on improving student development.
Gillespie Elem School is situated in a large city setting, surrounded by the vibrant but challenging environment of Chicago's urban landscape. Despite its current academic challenges, the school continues to support students through various educational programs and community resources available within the neighborhood.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Gillespie 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
View breakdown
Gillespie Elem School — Students at Gillespie Elem School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 10%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.1%
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: 7.5/10.
How Gillespie Elem School Compares
See how Gillespie Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 4% (2019) to 5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 20% (2019) to 5% (2022).
Location
9301 S State St, Chicago, IL 60619
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gillespie Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Evers Elem School (rated 7.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Neil Elem School (rated 7.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Pirie Elem Fine Arts & Academic C (rated 6.8/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CHRISTIAN S.T.E.M. SCHOLARS ACADEMY Chicago | 0.2 mi | — |
| Harlan Community Academy HS Chicago | 0.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Turner-Drew Elem Language Academy Chicago | 0.4 mi | 4.8 |
| McDade Elem Classical School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Neil Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Perspectives Chtr - Leadership Ac Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Perspectives Chtr - HS of Tech Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Bennett Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Burnside Elem Scholastic Academy Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Kipling Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| YCCS Chtr - Chatham Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Evers Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| ST JOHN DE LA SALLE CATHOLIC ACADEMY Chicago | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Ryder Elem Math & Sci Spec School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Hughes L Elem School Chicago | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Pirie Elem Fine Arts & Academic C Chicago | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Fernwood Elem School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Lenart Elem Regional Gifted Ctr Chicago | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Dixon Elem School Chicago | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Simeon Career Academy High School Chicago | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60619 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$43,403
Median Home Value
$213,000
Median Rent
$1,054/mo
Population
59,892
College Educated
27.5%
Homeownership
43.3%
Avg Commute
37.2 min
Poverty Rate
25.9%
Median Age
41.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gillespie Elem School has a median household income of $43,403. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $213,000, with a median rent of $1,054/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 37 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 |
|---|---|
| A J Katzenmaier Academy North Chicago, IL | 6.6 |
| Avoca West Elem School Glenview, IL | 6.6 |
| Barry Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.6 |
| Big Timber Elementary School Hampshire, IL | 6.6 |
| Brookview Elem School Rockford, IL | 6.6 |
| Brownstown Elem School Brownstown, IL | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gillespie Elem School
What grades does Gillespie Elem School serve?
Gillespie Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Gillespie Elem School?
Gillespie Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 342 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gillespie Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Gillespie Elem School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gillespie Elem School rank in IL?
Gillespie Elem School is ranked #1542 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Gillespie Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gillespie Elem School 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 Gillespie Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gillespie Elem School has 4.5% math proficiency and 9.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Gillespie Elem School a charter school?
No, Gillespie Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gillespie Elem School a Title I school?
No, Gillespie Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gillespie Elem School?
85.1% of students at Gillespie 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
- 342
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 85.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 535-5065
- 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
- #278 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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