Very Good
#656 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 17% in state
Pilsen Elem Community Academy
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
1420 W 17th St, Chicago, IL 60608
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#78 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#433 of 2,326
In district
#77 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Pilsen Elem Community Academy
Pilsen Elem Community Academy is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of Chicago. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, this tight-knit community offers an enrollment of 223 students with a student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1. The school's staff includes 21 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing personalized education.
Despite its current academic ranking, Pilsen Elem Community Academy is focused on fostering a nurturing environment where every child can grow and develop. With only 7% of students meeting proficiency in ELA/Reading and 6% proficient or above in Math, the school emphasizes holistic learning and student development with room for significant academic growth. Situated within Chicago’s dynamic urban landscape, Pilsen Elem Community Academy is surrounded by a diverse neighborhood that contributes to its unique character.
This setting provides students with opportunities to engage with a rich cultural community and learn from various perspectives.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Pilsen Elem Community Academy 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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Pilsen Elem Community Academy — Students at Pilsen Elem Community Academy score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 8%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.8%
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: 8.8/10.
How Pilsen Elem Community Academy Compares
See how Pilsen Elem Community Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 8% (2019) to 5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 8% (2019) to 7.5% (2022).
Location
1420 W 17th St, Chicago, IL 60608
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pilsen Elem Community Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences (rated 9.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is URBAN PRAIRIE WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, URBAN PRAIRIE (rated 8.2/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST PIUS V SCHOOL Chicago | 0.3 mi | 5.6 |
| ST PROCOPIUS SCHOOL Chicago | 0.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Chicago Technology Academy HS Chicago | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Perez Elem School Chicago | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Acero Chtr - Bartolome de las Chicago | 0.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Cooper Elem Dual Language Academy Chicago | 0.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Juarez Community Academy HS Chicago | 0.4 mi | 7.4 |
| URBAN PRAIRIE Chicago | 0.5 mi | 8.2 |
| URBAN PRAIRIE WALDORF SCHOOL Chicago | 0.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Jungman Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 6.1 |
| STEM Magnet Academy Elem Chicago | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Smyth J Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| ST IGNATIUS COLLEGE PREP Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences Chicago | 0.6 mi | 9.3 |
| CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE Chicago | 0.8 mi | — |
| CITY GARDEN WALDORF SCHOOL Chicago | 0.7 mi | — |
| Whittier Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Noble St Chtr-UIC College Prep Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Galileo Elem Math & Sci Schol Acd Chicago | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Walsh Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60608 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,704
Median Home Value
$341,500
Median Rent
$1,208/mo
Population
81,459
College Educated
34.3%
Homeownership
40.2%
Avg Commute
30.1 min
Poverty Rate
17.9%
Median Age
34.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pilsen Elem Community Academy has a median household income of $70,704. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $341,500, with a median rent of $1,208/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.9%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Central Elem School Lincoln, IL | 7.6 |
| Chalmers Elem Specialty School Chicago, IL | 7.6 |
| Dallas City Elem School Dallas City, IL | 7.6 |
| Edison Elem School Danville, IL | 7.6 |
| Everett Elem School Lake Forest, IL | 7.6 |
| Lake Crest Elem School Oakland, IL | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pilsen Elem Community Academy
What grades does Pilsen Elem Community Academy serve?
Pilsen Elem Community Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Pilsen Elem Community Academy?
Pilsen Elem Community Academy has an enrollment of approximately 223 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pilsen Elem Community Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Pilsen Elem Community Academy is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pilsen Elem Community Academy rank in IL?
Pilsen Elem Community Academy is ranked #656 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Pilsen Elem Community Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Pilsen Elem Community Academy has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Pilsen Elem Community Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pilsen Elem Community Academy has 6.5% math proficiency and 6.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pilsen Elem Community Academy a charter school?
No, Pilsen Elem Community Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pilsen Elem Community Academy a Title I school?
No, Pilsen Elem Community Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pilsen Elem Community Academy?
88.8% of students at Pilsen Elem Community 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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 96 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 66 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 98 Biker’s Paradise
- 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
- 223
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 88.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 534-7675
- 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
- #77 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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