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Very Good

#1175 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 31% in state

Henderson Elem School

Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

5650 S Wolcott Ave, Chicago, IL 60636

Enrollment

234

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chicago

#187 of 629

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#747 of 2,326

In district

#186 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Henderson Elem School

Henderson Elem School is a regular public elementary school in Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from pre-K through eighth grade, Henderson Elem School has an enrollment of 234 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.5 out of 10, placing it at the 30th percentile among Illinois schools, ranked #2678 out of 3819 total schools in the state.

While Henderson Elem School has room for academic growth, its focus on student development and support through a smaller teacher-to-student ratio may be beneficial for many families. Students are generally working to improve their proficiency levels; currently, only about 7% of students meet or exceed standards in English Language Arts and Reading, while just 2% do so in Math. Henderson Elem School is situated in the heart of a large city, offering its students access to urban resources and community services.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Henderson 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 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Overall Proficiency7%
Expected (poverty-adj.)12%
vs. Expected-4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

Henderson Elem School — Students at Henderson Elem School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 12%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 2.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 7.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
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: 9.5/10.

How Henderson Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
69th percentile in IL
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

5650 S Wolcott Ave, Chicago, IL 60636

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Henderson Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Langford A Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Fulton Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Claremont Academy Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
CICS - Basil Campus Chicago 0.3 mi 3.3
Fulton Elem School Chicago 0.5 mi 7.2
Lindblom Math & Science Acad HS Chicago 0.6 mi 8.5
Earle Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 6.5
Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr Chicago 0.6 mi 5.2
Daley Elem Academy Chicago 0.8 mi 6.3
ACADEMY OF ST BENEDICT THE AFRICAN Chicago 0.7 mi 4.6
Libby Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 6.3
Richards Career Academy HS Chicago 1.0 mi 6.9
Claremont Academy Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 7.2
CS ACADEMY COLLEGE PREP Chicago 1.0 mi 5.5
Carson Elem School Chicago 0.8 mi 6.8
SAN MIGUEL SCHOOL Chicago 1.1 mi 5.9
Langford A Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 7.9
Hedges Elem School Chicago 1.1 mi 6.9
OToole Elem School Chicago 1.1 mi 6.8
Gage Park High School Chicago 0.9 mi 5.7
Morrill Elem Math & Sci School Chicago 0.9 mi 6.2
Christopher Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 6.8
Providence-Englewood Elem Charter Chicago 1.2 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60636 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$35,077

Median Home Value

$150,600

Median Rent

$1,135/mo

Population

31,007

College Educated

10.5%

Homeownership

50.9%

Avg Commute

40.4 min

Poverty Rate

31.6%

Median Age

35.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Henderson Elem School has a median household income of $35,077. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $150,600, with a median rent of $1,135/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 40 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
Bright Elem School Chicago, IL 7.0
Chopin Elem School Chicago, IL 7.0
Devonshire School Des Plaines, IL 7.0
Dvorak Technology Acad Elem Sch Chicago, IL 7.0
Grand Ridge School Grand Ridge, IL 7.0
Jensen Elem Scholastic Academy Chicago, IL 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Henderson Elem School

What grades does Henderson Elem School serve?

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

How many students attend Henderson Elem School?

Henderson Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 234 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Henderson Elem School is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Henderson Elem School rank in IL?

Henderson Elem School is ranked #1175 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Henderson Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Henderson Elem School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Henderson Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Henderson Elem School has 2.5% math proficiency and 7.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Henderson Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Henderson Elem School a Title I school?

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

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

80.8% of students at Henderson 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
234
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
80.8%
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
#186 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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