Below Average
#3370 of 3,813 schools in IL
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
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
115
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#582 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#2,005 of 2,326
In district
#574 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Mcdowell Elem School
McDowell Elem School is a public elementary school located in Chicago, Illinois. Serving preschool through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 115 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1 with ten full-time equivalent teachers. Despite ranking in the lower half among Illinois schools—3100 out of 3819—with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.0/10, McDowell Elem School focuses on fostering strong relationships between students and teachers to support each child's development.
Academically, 29% of students meet or exceed proficiency in ELA/Reading, while 24% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school can continue to grow and improve. The school is situated within a large city setting, offering its students access to diverse cultural opportunities and resources.
McDowell Elem School is part of a vibrant urban community, providing a supportive learning environment for young scholars.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 115 students, Mcdowell Elem School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Mcdowell Elem School — Students at Mcdowell Elem School score 17% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 7%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.2%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.3/10.
How Mcdowell Elem School Compares
See how Mcdowell Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 24.5% (2022).
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. Black Magnet Elem School (rated 8.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington H Elem School (rated 8.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Schmid Elem School (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 8.0 |
| Earhart Elem Opt for Knowl School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| CICS - Avalon/South Shore Chicago | 0.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Daisy Bates Acad of Social Justic Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Ashe Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Black Magnet Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 8.5 |
| SOUTH CENTRAL SCHOOL MAIN CAMPUS Chicago | 0.9 mi | — |
| Avalon Park Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Warren Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Schmid Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| YCCS Chtr - Chatham Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| YCCS-Sullivan House Alt HS Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Burnham Elem Inclusive Academy Chicago | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Chicago Vocational Career Acad HS Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Burnside Elem Scholastic Academy Chicago | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Pirie Elem Fine Arts & Academic C Chicago | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| WEE CARE NURSERY SCHOOL Chicago | 1.4 mi | — |
| Mann Elem School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Betty Shabazz Internl Charter Sch Chicago | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Hoyne Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 4.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mcdowell Elem School has a median household income of $43,403. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $213,000, with a median rent of $1,054/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 37 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 |
|---|---|
| LEARN Chtr - 7th Campus Chicago, IL | 4.6 |
| Lester Crawl Primary Ctr Lansing, IL | 4.6 |
| Newark Elem School Newark, IL | 4.6 |
| Southern View Elem School Springfield, IL | 4.6 |
| Ste Marie Elem School Sainte Marie, IL | 4.6 |
| WEST SUBURBAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Oak Park, IL | 4.6 |
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 is ranked #3370 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Mcdowell Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mcdowell Elem School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Mcdowell Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mcdowell Elem School has 23.5% math proficiency and 28.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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 – 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
- Phone
- (773) 535-6404
- 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
- #574 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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