Average
#2720 of 3,813 schools in IL
Palmer Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
5051 N Kenneth Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
Enrollment
756
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
756
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#492 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,617 of 2,326
In district
#484 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Palmer Elem School
Palmer Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Chicago's North Side. With an enrollment of 756 students and 52 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.5 to 1, allowing for relatively individualized attention in classrooms. Academically, Palmer is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects.
In English language arts, about 32% of students are performing at proficient levels or above, while math proficiency stands at 23% across grade levels. The school ranks in the 56th percentile statewide, placing it among the middle range of Illinois schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10, Palmer represents a school with room for academic growth and ongoing development.
As a public elementary school, Palmer serves the diverse community of Chicago's large urban environment, providing educational services for students across a wide span of grades in a traditional public school setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Palmer Elem School — Students at Palmer Elem School score 20% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69.6%
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: 3.7/10.
How Palmer Elem School Compares
See how Palmer Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 16% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
5051 N Kenneth Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palmer Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Belding Elem School (rated 9.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Volta Elem School (rated 6.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CASA DEI BAMBINI - MONTESSORI OF MAYFAIR Chicago | 0.3 mi | — |
| ST EDWARD SCHOOL Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| SAUGANASH MONTESSORI SCHOOL Chicago | 0.9 mi | — |
| Volta Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Belding Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 9.3 |
| ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago | 1.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Haugan Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Beaubien Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| ASPIRA Charter - Haugan Campus Chicago | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Sauganash Elem School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 5.6 |
| KIDS IN HARMONY DAY SCHOOL Chicago | 1.2 mi | — |
| GATEWAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Chicago | 1.2 mi | — |
| YESHIVA GEDOLA OF THE MIDWEST/YESHIVA EITZ CHAIM Chicago | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| CICS - Northtown Campus Chicago | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| TELSHE HIGH SCHOOL Chicago | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Disney II Elem School Chicago | 1.6 mi | 4.3 |
| ALL ABOARD LEARNING EXPRESS Chicago | 1.6 mi | — |
| Roosevelt High School Chicago | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Schurz High School Chicago | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Von Steuben Metro Science HS Chicago | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60630 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,134
Median Home Value
$362,900
Median Rent
$1,357/mo
Population
54,242
College Educated
43.8%
Homeownership
68.6%
Avg Commute
33.4 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Median Age
41.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palmer Elem School has a median household income of $97,134. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $362,900, with a median rent of $1,357/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Acero Chtr - SPC Zizumbo Elem Chicago, IL | 5.4 |
| Arland D Williams Jr Elem Sch Mattoon, IL | 5.4 |
| Arnold W Kruse Ed Center Orland Park, IL | 5.4 |
| Campanelli Elem School Schaumburg, IL | 5.4 |
| Chappell Elem School Chicago, IL | 5.4 |
| Clarence E Culver School Niles, IL | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palmer Elem School
What grades does Palmer Elem School serve?
Palmer Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Palmer Elem School?
Palmer Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 756 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palmer Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Palmer Elem School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palmer Elem School rank in IL?
Palmer Elem School is ranked #2720 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Palmer Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Palmer Elem School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Palmer Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palmer Elem School has 23.0% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palmer Elem School a charter school?
No, Palmer Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palmer Elem School a Title I school?
No, Palmer Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palmer Elem School?
69.6% of students at Palmer 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 – 8th
- Enrollment
- 756
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 52
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 69.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 534-3704
- 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
- #484 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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