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Average

#2064 of 3,813 schools in IL

Lara Elem Academy

Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

4619 S Wolcott Ave, Chicago, IL 60609

Enrollment

337

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#2,064 of 3,813

In Chicago

#309 of 630

public schools

In district

#303 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

School environment

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Lara Elem Academy

6.0/10

Elementary School in Chicago · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Seward Elem Communication Arts Ac

4.9/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hedges Elem School

6.3/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Lara Elem Academy

Lara Elem Academy is a public elementary school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Lara Elem Academy serves approximately 337 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Lara Elem Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,064 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Lara Elem Academy show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • IL avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

37% of students at Lara Elem Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.21 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency7% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)7% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,699
Chronic Absenteeism36.8%

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

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 30.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
65%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
66%
2011
Math
74%
ELA
68%
2012
Math
41%
ELA
40%
2013
Math
41%
ELA
34%
2014
Math
11%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
23%
2016
Math
13%
ELA
21%
2017
Math
19%
ELA
20%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
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: 5.8/10.

How Lara Elem Academy Compares

See how Lara Elem Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
46th percentile in IL
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
5.8/10
Average
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.8%

Location

4619 S Wolcott Ave, Chicago, IL 60609

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lara Elem Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Chavez Elem Multicultural Acad Ct (rated 6.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Fulton Elem School (rated 6.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, CICS - Basil Campus (rated 6.5/10, 1.1 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
Seward Elem Communication Arts Ac Chicago 0.1 mi 4.9
Hedges Elem School Chicago 0.2 mi 6.3
SAN MIGUEL SCHOOL Chicago 0.2 mi 5.9
Back of The Yards IB HS Chicago 0.3 mi 8.1
Chavez Elem Multicultural Acad Ct Chicago 0.4 mi 6.9
Daley Elem Academy Chicago 0.5 mi 5.0
Hamline Elem School Chicago 0.6 mi 4.8
Richards Career Academy HS Chicago 0.7 mi 5.9
Fulton Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 6.8
CICS - Basil Campus Chicago 1.1 mi 6.5
Namaste Elem Charter School Chicago 1.1 mi 1.9
Horizon Science Acad-McKinley Pk Chicago 1.0 mi 7.5
Christopher Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 3.5
Horizon Sci Acad - Southwest Chtr Chicago 1.1 mi 6.2
Libby Elem School Chicago 1.1 mi 6.3
Shields Middle School Chicago 1.0 mi 6.5
Thomas Early Childhood Center Chicago 1.3 mi 7.2
Henderson Elem School Chicago 1.3 mi 5.9
Shields Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 4.6
Evergreen Academy Elem School Chicago 1.3 mi 6.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Altamont Grade School Altamont, IL 6.0
Bismarck-Henning Elem School Bismarck, IL 6.0
Carter Elem School Chicago, IL 6.0
Columbus Elem School Chicago, IL 6.0
Currier Elementary School West Chicago, IL 6.0
Dakota Elementary School Dakota, IL 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lara Elem Academy

What grades does Lara Elem Academy serve?

Lara Elem Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Lara Elem Academy?

Lara Elem Academy has an enrollment of approximately 337 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lara Elem Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Lara Elem Academy is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lara Elem Academy rank in IL?

Lara Elem Academy ranks #2,064 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Lara Elem Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Lara Elem Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Lara Elem Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lara Elem Academy has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Lara Elem Academy a charter school?

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

Is Lara Elem Academy a Title I school?

No, Lara Elem Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lara Elem Academy?

91.4% of students at Lara Elem Academy 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

Walk Score
83 Very Walkable
Transit Score
61 Good Transit
Bike Score
62 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
337
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
91.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Cook County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.8%

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