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Average

#2903 of 3,813 schools in IL

Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr

School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

5401 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60609

Charter

Enrollment

746

Student-Teacher

10.8:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chicago

#524 of 629

public schools

Illinois schools

#56 of 100

In district

#516 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr

Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr serves approximately 746 students in grades kindergarten through twelfth in Chicago's southwest side. As a public charter school, it offers families an alternative to traditional district schools in the area. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.8 to 1, with 69 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.

This class size structure is designed to support individualized attention across the school's wide grade span. Academically, the school is working to build stronger student achievement. Currently, proficiency rates are low, with 13% of students performing at or above grade level in English language arts and 12% in mathematics.

The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks in the 18th percentile statewide among Illinois schools. These metrics indicate the school is focused on improving student outcomes and academic growth. Located on South Western Avenue in a large urban setting, Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr is part of Chicago's diverse school landscape and serves the residential community on the city's southwest side.

What Parents Should Know

Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.99 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency8%
Expected (poverty-adj.)8%
vs. Expected-0.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness2.9Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr — Students at Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 8%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 11.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 13.3%
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
18%
ELA
20%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2022
ELA
10%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr Compares

See how Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
24th percentile in IL
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
69 teachers

Location

5401 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60609

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr may also want to explore other schools in the area. Lindblom Math & Science Acad HS (rated 8.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Back of The Yards IB HS (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fulton Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Carson Elem School Chicago 0.4 mi 6.8
Christopher Elem School Chicago 0.5 mi 6.8
Nightingale Elem School Chicago 0.4 mi 6.8
Gage Park High School Chicago 0.5 mi 5.7
Talman Elem School Chicago 0.5 mi 6.3
Henderson Elem School Chicago 0.6 mi 7.0
Daley Elem Academy Chicago 0.7 mi 6.3
CICS - Basil Campus Chicago 0.6 mi 3.3
Acero Chtr - Rufino Tamayo Elem Chicago 0.7 mi 5.8
Morrill Elem Math & Sci School Chicago 0.9 mi 6.2
Back of The Yards IB HS Chicago 0.9 mi 8.3
Fulton Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 7.2
Shields Middle School Chicago 0.9 mi 6.9
SAN MIGUEL SCHOOL Chicago 0.9 mi 5.9
Hedges Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 6.9
Earle Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 6.5
Lindblom Math & Science Acad HS Chicago 1.1 mi 8.5
Lara Elem Academy Chicago 1.1 mi 5.8
Claremont Academy Elem School Chicago 1.2 mi 7.2
Fairfield Elem Academy Chicago 1.2 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60609 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,142

Median Home Value

$251,600

Median Rent

$1,070/mo

Population

64,268

College Educated

20%

Homeownership

41.6%

Avg Commute

33 min

Poverty Rate

25.3%

Median Age

35.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr has a median household income of $54,142. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $251,600, with a median rent of $1,070/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cambridge Lakes Charter School Pingree Grove, IL 5.3
PEORIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - MONROE Peoria Heights, IL 5.1
SCHAUMBURG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Schaumburg, IL 5.1
Acero Chtr Sor Juana Ines de la Chicago, IL 5.0
MARYVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Maryville, IL 5.4
ROCKFORD CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Rockford, IL 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr

What grades does Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr serve?

Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr?

Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr has an enrollment of approximately 746 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr?

The student-teacher ratio at Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr rank in IL?

Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr is ranked #2903 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr's MySchoolScout rating?

Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr has 11.5% math proficiency and 13.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr a charter school?

Yes, Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr a Title I school?

No, Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr?

90.8% of students at Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr 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
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
746
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
69
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.8%
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
#516 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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