Average
#2616 of 3,813 schools in IL
Sawyer Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
5248 S Sawyer Ave, Chicago, IL 60632
Enrollment
933
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
933
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#473 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,563 of 2,326
In district
#465 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
About Sawyer Elem School
Sawyer Elementary School serves 933 students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade in Chicago's 60632 ZIP code area. With 60 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.6 to 1, providing reasonably sized learning environments for its diverse student body. The school faces academic challenges, with reading proficiency at 11% across grade levels and room for significant growth in student achievement.
Sawyer Elementary currently ranks in the 11th percentile among Illinois elementary schools, indicating the school is working to strengthen its educational outcomes and better serve its community's children. Located on South Sawyer Avenue, the school sits in a working-class neighborhood where the median household income is $53,966 and median home values average $226,200. The surrounding community of over 86,000 residents reflects the broader demographic patterns of Chicago's Southwest Side, with 13% of adults holding bachelor's degrees and a poverty rate of 15%.
As a regular public elementary school in one of America's largest cities, Sawyer Elementary continues its mission to educate students in a dense urban environment where families are building their lives and investing in their children's futures.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Sawyer Elem School — Students at Sawyer Elem School score 8% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 5%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.6%
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: 5.2/10.
How Sawyer Elem School Compares
See how Sawyer Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 4% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 21% (2019) to 11% (2022).
Location
5248 S Sawyer Ave, Chicago, IL 60632
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sawyer Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Nightingale Elem School (rated 6.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carson Elem School (rated 6.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Talman Elem School (rated 6.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST GALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago | 0.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Acero Chtr Network - Jovita Idar Chicago | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Solorio Academy High School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Acero Chtr Sch Netwrk- Victoria Chicago | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Hernandez Middle School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Sandoval Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Monarcas Academy Chicago | 0.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Acero Chtr - Rufino Tamayo Elem Chicago | 0.6 mi | 5.8 |
| LOS PEQUENOS ANGELITOS Chicago | 0.7 mi | — |
| Noble St Chtr - Mansueto Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Columbia Explorers Elem Academy Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Acero Chtr - Officer Marquez Elem Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Talman Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Nightingale Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Gunsaulus Elem Scholastic Academy Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Gage Park High School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Peck Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Curie Metropolitan High School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Shields Middle School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Carson Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60632 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,576
Median Home Value
$240,600
Median Rent
$1,057/mo
Population
87,831
College Educated
13.3%
Homeownership
57.9%
Avg Commute
32.6 min
Poverty Rate
15.4%
Median Age
34.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sawyer Elem School has a median household income of $60,576. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $240,600, with a median rent of $1,057/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.4%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Churchill Elem School Glen Ellyn, IL | 5.5 |
| Fremont Elem School Mundelein, IL | 5.5 |
| JOAN DACHS BAIS YAAKOV ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago, IL | 5.5 |
| Liberty Elementary School Carpentersville, IL | 5.5 |
| Meehan Elementary School Belvidere, IL | 5.5 |
| North Elem School Crystal Lake, IL | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sawyer Elem School
What grades does Sawyer Elem School serve?
Sawyer Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Sawyer Elem School?
Sawyer Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 933 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sawyer Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sawyer Elem School is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sawyer Elem School rank in IL?
Sawyer Elem School is ranked #2616 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Sawyer Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sawyer Elem School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Sawyer Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sawyer Elem School has 9.5% math proficiency and 13.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sawyer Elem School a charter school?
No, Sawyer Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sawyer Elem School a Title I school?
No, Sawyer Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sawyer Elem School?
96.6% of students at Sawyer 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
- 933
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 60
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 535-0440
- 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
- #465 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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