Average
#1463 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 38% in state
Great Lakes Academy Charter ES
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
8401 S Saginaw Ave, Chicago, IL 60617
Enrollment
535
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
535
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#271 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#927 of 2,326
In district
#268 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Great Lakes Academy Charter ES
Great Lakes Academy Charter ES is a charter school located in Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 535 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1, ensuring that each child receives ample attention from teachers. With 36 full-time equivalent educators dedicated to their pupils, Great Lakes Academy Charter ES focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment.
According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school scores a 4.6 out of 10 and ranks at #2614 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it in the 32nd percentile overall. Academically, Great Lakes Academy Charter ES is working on improving proficiency levels, with 20% of students meeting or exceeding standards in ELA/Reading and 12% in Math. While the school has room for academic growth, its commitment to providing personalized education and community support makes it a worthwhile option for families seeking an engaging elementary school experience.
Great Lakes Academy Charter ES is situated in a bustling urban setting within Chicago, offering students access to diverse cultural experiences and resources right in their neighborhood.
What Parents Should Know
Great Lakes Academy Charter ES is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Great Lakes Academy Charter ES — Students at Great Lakes Academy Charter ES score 16% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 9%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.3%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 6.6/10.
How Great Lakes Academy Charter ES Compares
See how Great Lakes Academy Charter ES performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 7.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 24% (2022).
Location
8401 S Saginaw Ave, Chicago, IL 60617
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Great Lakes Academy Charter ES may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Black Magnet Elem School (rated 8.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ninos Heroes Elem Academic Ctr (rated 7.6/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mireles Elem Academy (rated 7.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Coles Elem Language Academy Chicago | 0.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Ninos Heroes Elem Academic Ctr Chicago | 0.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Bowen High School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Noble St Chtr-Baker Campus Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.6 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL - EXCHANGE Chicago | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| EPIC Academy High School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Hoyne Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Bradwell Comm Arts & Sci Elem Sch Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Mireles Elem Academy Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.5 |
| ST JUDE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE Chicago | 0.8 mi | — |
| Chicago Vocational Career Acad HS Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SERVICES - SOUTH SHORE Chicago | 1.1 mi | — |
| Mann Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Sullivan Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Thorp J N Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| LEARN Chtr - South Chicago Campus Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Powell Elem Paideia Comm Academy Chicago | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| YCCS-Sullivan House Alt HS Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Black Magnet Elem School Chicago | 1.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Warren Elem School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60617 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,237
Median Home Value
$168,200
Median Rent
$1,010/mo
Population
79,284
College Educated
20.2%
Homeownership
56.2%
Avg Commute
37.3 min
Poverty Rate
23.2%
Median Age
38.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Great Lakes Academy Charter ES has a median household income of $51,237. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,200, with a median rent of $1,010/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.2%, 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 |
|---|---|
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC ACADEMY Naperville, IL | 6.7 |
| Adlai Stevenson Elem School Elk Grove Village, IL | 6.7 |
| Annette Officer Elementary East Saint Louis, IL | 6.7 |
| Annie Jo Gordon Comm Lrning Cntr Peoria, IL | 6.7 |
| Audubon Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.7 |
| Avondale - Logandale Elem Sch Chicago, IL | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Great Lakes Academy Charter ES
What grades does Great Lakes Academy Charter ES serve?
Great Lakes Academy Charter ES serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Great Lakes Academy Charter ES?
Great Lakes Academy Charter ES has an enrollment of approximately 535 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Great Lakes Academy Charter ES?
The student-teacher ratio at Great Lakes Academy Charter ES is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Great Lakes Academy Charter ES rank in IL?
Great Lakes Academy Charter ES is ranked #1463 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Great Lakes Academy Charter ES's MySchoolScout rating?
Great Lakes Academy Charter ES has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Great Lakes Academy Charter ES?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Great Lakes Academy Charter ES has 12.3% math proficiency and 19.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Great Lakes Academy Charter ES a charter school?
Yes, Great Lakes Academy Charter ES is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Great Lakes Academy Charter ES a Title I school?
No, Great Lakes Academy Charter ES is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Great Lakes Academy Charter ES?
87.3% of students at Great Lakes Academy Charter ES 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
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 535
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 87.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 503-3040
- 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
- #268 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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