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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

Charter

Enrollment

336

Student-Teacher

21:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

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 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency7%
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)12%
vs. Expected-7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

Polaris Elem Charter Academy — Students at Polaris Elem Charter Academy score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 12%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 6.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 11.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
10%
ELA
18%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
8%
2022
ELA
7%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.6/10
12th percentile in IL
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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