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Very Good

#850 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 22% in state

Mcdowell Elem School

Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

1419 E 89th St, Chicago, IL 60619

Enrollment

115

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#850 of 3,813

In Chicago

#98 of 630

public schools

In district

#95 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

School environment

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Mcdowell Elem School

7.5/10

Elementary School in Chicago · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Washington H Elem School

4.0/10

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

Earhart Elem Opt for Knowl School

7.2/10

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

About Mcdowell Elem School

Mcdowell Elem School is a public elementary school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Mcdowell Elem School serves approximately 115 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Mcdowell Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #850 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Mcdowell Elem School show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.6 pts above district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.9
  • IL avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 115 students, Mcdowell Elem School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.63 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)7% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+10.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
Resources & Environment9.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,699
Chronic Absenteeism15.7%

Mcdowell Elem School — Students at Mcdowell Elem School score 17% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 7%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 44.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.4% (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
77%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
ELA
24.5%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How Mcdowell Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
78th percentile in IL
Academic
7.1/10
Very Good
Growth
7.0/10
Very Good
Environment
9.6/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.7%

Location

1419 E 89th St, Chicago, IL 60619

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mcdowell Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Earhart Elem Opt for Knowl School (rated 7.2/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Mann Elem School (rated 6.6/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, CICS - Avalon/South Shore (rated 6.5/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Washington H Elem School Chicago 0.5 mi 4.0
Earhart Elem Opt for Knowl School Chicago 0.6 mi 7.2
CICS - Avalon/South Shore Chicago 0.7 mi 6.5
Daisy Bates Acad of Social Justic Chicago 0.6 mi 4.4
Ashe Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 4.5
Black Magnet Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 5.3
SOUTH CENTRAL SCHOOL MAIN CAMPUS Chicago 0.9 mi
Avalon Park Elem School Chicago 1.1 mi 5.4
Warren Elem School Chicago 0.8 mi 5.4
Schmid Elem School Chicago 1.1 mi 5.0
YCCS Chtr - Chatham Chicago 0.9 mi 4.9
YCCS-Sullivan House Alt HS Chicago 1.1 mi 5.2
Burnham Elem Inclusive Academy Chicago 1.1 mi 3.4
Chicago Vocational Career Acad HS Chicago 0.9 mi 4.5
Burnside Elem Scholastic Academy Chicago 1.0 mi 4.9
Pirie Elem Fine Arts & Academic C Chicago 1.1 mi 4.5
WEE CARE NURSERY SCHOOL Chicago 1.4 mi
Mann Elem School Chicago 1.3 mi 6.6
Betty Shabazz Internl Charter Sch Chicago 1.4 mi 6.4
Hoyne Elem School Chicago 1.1 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60619 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,403

Median Home Value

$213,000

Median Rent

$1,054/mo

Population

59,892

College Educated

27.5%

Homeownership

43.3%

Avg Commute

37.2 min

Poverty Rate

25.9%

Median Age

41.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bureau Valley Elemntry-Wyanet Wyanet, IL 7.5
Chillicothe Elementary Center Chillicothe, IL 7.5
Damiansville Elem School Damiansville, IL 7.5
Johnsonville Elem School Johnsonville, IL 7.5
OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE SCHOOL Belleville, IL 7.5
ST THOMAS MORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elgin, IL 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mcdowell Elem School

What grades does Mcdowell Elem School serve?

Mcdowell Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Mcdowell Elem School?

Mcdowell Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 115 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell Elem School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mcdowell Elem School rank in IL?

Mcdowell Elem School ranks #850 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Mcdowell Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mcdowell Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Mcdowell Elem School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mcdowell Elem School has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Mcdowell Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Mcdowell Elem School a Title I school?

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

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

92.2% of students at Mcdowell 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

Walk Score
79 Very Walkable
Transit Score
59 Good Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
115
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Cook County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.7%

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