Very Good
#1178 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 31% in state
Melody Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
3937 W Wilcox St, Chicago, IL 60624
Enrollment
318
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
318
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#190 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#749 of 2,326
In district
#189 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Melody Elem School
Melody Elem School is a regular public elementary school in Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Melody Elem has an enrollment of 318 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.5 out of 10, placing it in the bottom tenth percentile among Illinois schools based on its state ranking of #3452 out of 3819.
Academic performance shows that only 3% of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math. Despite these challenges, Melody Elem School continues to focus on student development and offers a nurturing environment for young learners. The school is situated in the heart of Chicago's bustling city life, providing opportunities for cultural enrichment and community engagement right outside its doors.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Melody 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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Melody Elem School — Students at Melody Elem School score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 4%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.1%
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: 8.9/10.
How Melody Elem School Compares
See how Melody Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 4% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 5% (2019) to 2.5% (2022).
Location
3937 W Wilcox St, Chicago, IL 60624
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Melody Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ericson Elem Scholastic Academy (rated 7.3/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Ward L Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Tilton Elem School (rated 6.9/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GREATER ROCK GIFTED LEARNING ACADEMY Chicago | 0.5 mi | — |
| Tilton Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Ericson Elem Scholastic Academy Chicago | 0.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Webster Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.6 |
| PROVIDENCE ST. MEL SCHOOL Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Gregory Math & Sci Elem Academy Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Legal Prep Academy Charter HS Chicago | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Sumner Elem Math & Sci Comm Acad Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Hefferan Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Frazier Perspectives Magnet ES Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Raby High School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 7.4 |
| YCCS-CCA Academy HS Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| CHICAGO WEST SIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Orr Academy High School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| KIPP One Academy Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Ward L Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Faraday Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Noble St Chtr-DRW Trading Col Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Marshall Metropolitan High School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60624 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$32,607
Median Home Value
$223,200
Median Rent
$1,152/mo
Population
35,711
College Educated
13.1%
Homeownership
26.4%
Avg Commute
34.1 min
Poverty Rate
36.1%
Median Age
34.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Melody Elem School has a median household income of $32,607. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,200, with a median rent of $1,152/month. The area has a poverty rate of 36.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Bright Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.0 |
| Chopin Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.0 |
| Colene Hoose Elem School Normal, IL | 7.0 |
| Devonshire School Des Plaines, IL | 7.0 |
| Dunbar Elem School East Saint Louis, IL | 7.0 |
| Dvorak Technology Acad Elem Sch Chicago, IL | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Melody Elem School
What grades does Melody Elem School serve?
Melody Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Melody Elem School?
Melody Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 318 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Melody Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Melody Elem School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Melody Elem School rank in IL?
Melody Elem School is ranked #1178 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Melody Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Melody Elem School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Melody Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Melody Elem School has 3.3% math proficiency and 3.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Melody Elem School a charter school?
No, Melody Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Melody Elem School a Title I school?
No, Melody Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Melody Elem School?
98.1% of students at Melody 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
- 77 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 76 Excellent Transit
- Bike Score
- 70 Very 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
- 318
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 534-6850
- 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
- #189 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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