Needs Improvement
#3664 of 3,813 schools in IL
Polaris Elem Charter Academy
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
620 N Sawyer Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
Enrollment
336
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
336
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,664 of 3,813
In Chicago
#611 of 630
public schools
In district
#602 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
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Polaris Elem Charter Academy
Elementary School in Chicago · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Westinghouse High School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Morton Elem Career Academy
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Polaris Elem Charter Academy
Polaris Elem Charter Academy is a public elementary school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Polaris Elem Charter Academy serves approximately 336 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 21:1 student-teacher ratio. Polaris Elem Charter Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #3,664 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Polaris Elem Charter Academy show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.9
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Polaris Elem Charter Academy runs 21:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Polaris Elem Charter Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Polaris Elem Charter Academy — Students at Polaris Elem Charter Academy score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 13%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 27 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: 3.1/10.
How Polaris Elem Charter Academy Compares
See how Polaris Elem Charter Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
620 N Sawyer Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Polaris Elem Charter Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Casals Elem School (rated 8.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LEARN Charter Excel Campus (rated 7.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LEARN Chtr - 7th Campus (rated 7.0/10, 0.5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Westinghouse High School Chicago | 0.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Morton Elem Career Academy Chicago | 0.3 mi | 4.4 |
| YCCS-West Town Academy Alt HS Chicago | 0.3 mi | 6.8 |
| UCAN ACADEMY Chicago | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| LEARN Chtr - Middle School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| LEARN Charter Excel Campus Chicago | 0.5 mi | 7.6 |
| LEARN Chtr - 7th Campus Chicago | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Beidler Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 3.7 |
| YCCS-Association House Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Raby High School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Noble St Chtr-Rowe-Clark MS Acad Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Ward L Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Faraday Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Cather Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Casals Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Marshall Metropolitan High School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Lowell Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Chicago HS for the Arts Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.5 |
| PROVIDENCE ST. MEL SCHOOL Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Locke A Elem Charter Academy Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bushnell-Prairie City Elem Sch Bushnell, IL | 3.5 |
| C B Smith Elem School Pekin, IL | 3.5 |
| Christopher Elem School Chicago, IL | 3.5 |
| East Elementary School Zion, IL | 3.5 |
| Feitshans Elem Sch Springfield, IL | 3.5 |
| Garvey M Elem School Chicago, IL | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Polaris Elem Charter Academy
What grades does Polaris Elem Charter Academy serve?
Polaris Elem Charter Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Polaris Elem Charter Academy?
Polaris Elem Charter Academy has an enrollment of approximately 336 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Polaris Elem Charter Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Polaris Elem Charter Academy is 21:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Polaris Elem Charter Academy rank in IL?
Polaris Elem Charter Academy ranks #3,664 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Polaris Elem Charter Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Polaris Elem Charter Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Polaris Elem Charter Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Polaris Elem Charter Academy has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Polaris Elem Charter Academy a charter school?
Yes, Polaris Elem Charter Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Polaris Elem Charter Academy a Title I school?
No, Polaris Elem Charter Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Polaris Elem Charter Academy?
80.1% of students at Polaris Elem Charter 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 336
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 4.2%
- Phone
- (773) 534-0820
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #602 of 621
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