Very Good
#655 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 17% in state
Howe Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
720 N Lorel Ave, Chicago, IL 60644
Enrollment
354
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
354
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#77 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#432 of 2,326
In district
#76 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Howe Elem School
Howe Elem School is a regular public elementary school in Chicago, Illinois, serving students from preschool through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 354 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1, Howe Elem School offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs. The school has 30 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body.
While the academic performance data shows room for improvement—only 4% of students are proficient in ELA and reading, and only 3% are proficient in math—the focus is on nurturing each student’s development through supportive teaching practices. Howe Elem School aims to provide a strong foundation for learning and growth as students progress through their educational journey. The school is situated in the heart of Chicago's vibrant city life, offering students access to a wide range of cultural and community resources that enhance their overall education experience.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Howe 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
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Howe Elem School — Students at Howe Elem School score 3% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 5%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.2%
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: 9.1/10.
How Howe Elem School Compares
See how Howe Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 3% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 5% (2019) to 3% (2022).
Location
720 N Lorel Ave, Chicago, IL 60644
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Howe Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Nash Elem School (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Brunson Math & Sci Specialty Elem (rated 7.5/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lewis Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| AUSTIN CAREER EDUCATION CENTER Chicago | 0.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Moving Everest Charter School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Hay Elem Community Academy Chicago | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Brunson Math & Sci Specialty Elem Chicago | 0.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Douglass Academy High School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Austin College and Career Acad HS Chicago | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Ellington Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Catalyst Charter-Circle Rock ES Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Spencer Technology Acad Elem Sch Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Nash Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 8.0 |
| KIPP Academy Chicago Campus Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| HOPE EXCEL REACHING THE WORLD ACADEMY Chicago | 0.7 mi | — |
| McNair Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| YCCS West Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago | 1.0 mi | — |
| Lewis Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| ST ANGELA SCHOOL Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Young Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| CHANCE AFTER CHANCE COLLEGE PREPARATORY Chicago | 0.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60644 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$37,952
Median Home Value
$238,300
Median Rent
$1,096/mo
Population
48,317
College Educated
11.3%
Homeownership
29.7%
Avg Commute
37.9 min
Poverty Rate
29.1%
Median Age
37
Community Profile
The community surrounding Howe Elem School has a median household income of $37,952. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $238,300, with a median rent of $1,096/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.1%, 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 |
|---|---|
| Cantrall Elem School Cantrall, IL | 7.6 |
| Carroll Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.6 |
| Chalmers Elem Specialty School Chicago, IL | 7.6 |
| Chaney-Monge School Crest Hill, IL | 7.6 |
| Creekside Elementary School Plainfield, IL | 7.6 |
| Eastview Elem School Algonquin, IL | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Howe Elem School
What grades does Howe Elem School serve?
Howe Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Howe Elem School?
Howe Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 354 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Howe Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Howe Elem School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Howe Elem School rank in IL?
Howe Elem School is ranked #655 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Howe Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Howe Elem School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Howe Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Howe Elem School has 2.8% math proficiency and 3.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Howe Elem School a charter school?
No, Howe Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Howe Elem School a Title I school?
No, Howe Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Howe Elem School?
97.2% of students at Howe 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
- Walk Score
- 80 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 66 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 68 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,030/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 354
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 534-6060
- 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
- #76 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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