Below Average
#3374 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
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
336
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#586 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#2,009 of 2,326
In district
#578 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
About Polaris Elem Charter Academy
Polaris Elem Charter Academy is a charter school located in Chicago, Illinois, serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 336 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each child's educational needs. Polaris Elem Charter Academy has 16 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping their students succeed.
The academic performance at Polaris Elem Charter Academy currently places it in the lower ranks among Illinois schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.7 out of 10. The school's proficiency rates for ELA/Reading are 11%, while math proficiency stands at 6%. While these scores suggest areas where the school can improve, Polaris Elem Charter Academy continues to focus on student development and growth.
Polaris Elem Charter Academy is situated in a bustling urban environment within Chicago, offering students opportunities to engage with their city community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Polaris Elem Charter 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.
The student-teacher ratio at Polaris Elem Charter Academy is 21:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Polaris Elem Charter Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Polaris Elem Charter Academy — Students at Polaris Elem Charter Academy score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 12%).
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 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: 6.2/10.
How Polaris Elem Charter Academy Compares
See how Polaris Elem Charter Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 10% (2019) to 3% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 18% (2019) to 7% (2022).
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. Lowell Elem School (rated 8.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cather Elem School (rated 7.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Beidler Elem School (rated 7.4/10, 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 | 7.0 |
| Morton Elem Career Academy Chicago | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| YCCS-West Town Academy Alt HS Chicago | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| UCAN ACADEMY Chicago | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| LEARN Chtr - Middle School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| LEARN Charter Excel Campus Chicago | 0.5 mi | 4.4 |
| LEARN Chtr - 7th Campus Chicago | 0.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Beidler Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 7.4 |
| YCCS-Association House Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Raby High School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Noble St Chtr-Rowe-Clark MS Acad Chicago | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Ward L Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Faraday Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Cather Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Casals Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Marshall Metropolitan High School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Lowell Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Chicago HS for the Arts Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| PROVIDENCE ST. MEL SCHOOL Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Locke A Elem Charter Academy Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
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 Polaris Elem Charter Academy 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 |
|---|---|
| Acero Chtr - Carlos Fuentes Elem Chicago, IL | 4.6 |
| Algonquin Road Elem School Fox River Grove, IL | 4.6 |
| Auburn Elem School Auburn, IL | 4.6 |
| BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Quincy, IL | 4.6 |
| Balmoral Elem Sch Crete, IL | 4.6 |
| Bartonville Elem School Bartonville, IL | 4.6 |
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 is ranked #3374 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Polaris Elem Charter Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Polaris Elem Charter Academy 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 Polaris Elem Charter Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Polaris Elem Charter Academy has 6.5% math proficiency and 11.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (4,030/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (773) 534-0820
- 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
- #578 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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