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Excellent

#31 of 716 private schools in IL

Top 4% of private schools

Science & Arts Academy

Elementary School

1825 MINER ST, Des Plaines, IL 60016

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 16 schools in Des Plaines. Learn more

Enrollment

249

Student-Teacher

6.3:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Des Plaines

#2 of 4

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#15 of 471

Academic performance

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Science & Arts Academy

Science & Arts Academy is a public elementary school located in Des Plaines, Illinois, with an enrollment of 249 students and a student-teacher ratio of 6.3:1. The school offers education from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, providing a strong foundation for early learners to middle schoolers. With 40 full-time equivalent teachers, the school ensures that each child receives personalized attention.

Science & Arts Academy ranks at #360 out of 716 schools in Illinois, placing it around the 50th percentile. While no specific test score data is available, the school's MySchoolScout Rating of 6.4/10 and Academic Score of 7.1/10 suggest that there is room for academic growth and development. The focus at Science & Arts Academy is on fostering creativity and a passion for learning through its unique blend of science and arts programs.

The school is situated in the heart of Des Plaines, a small city that offers a close-knit community atmosphere. This setting provides students with a supportive environment where they can thrive both academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.3:1, Science & Arts Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Science & Arts Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$36,124
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$33,541
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.93x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
96%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$14.1M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 249 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Science & Arts Academy compares to 16 public schools serving similar grades in Des Plaines, IL

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.3:1
This School
vs
10.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
249
This School
vs
413
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.4
This School
vs
6.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 52.2% vs 0%
Asian 29.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 8% vs 0%
Black 2.4% vs 0%
Science & Arts Academy Des Plaines Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Science & Arts Academy (this school) 8.4
Central Elem School 6.2
North Elementary School 5.1
South Elem School 5.5
Algonquin Middle School 7.3
Forest Elem School 5.2
Cumberland Elem School 6.0
Plainfield Elem School 5.1
Chippewa Middle School 7.1
Iroquois Community School 7.7
Early Learning Center 6.7
Terrace Elem School 7.1
Apollo Elem School 6.9
Orchard Place Elem School 4.7
Devonshire School 7.0
Brentwood Elem School 8.7
Friendship Jr High School 8.5

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in IL.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 6.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,211
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 9.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 62%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 249
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in IL

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 52.2%
Asian 29.3%
Hispanic 8.0%
Two or More 6.8%
Black 2.4%
Native American 0.8%
Pacific Islander 0.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1825 MINER ST, Des Plaines, IL 60016

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Science & Arts Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PLATO ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Iroquois Community School (rated 7.7/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Mark Twain Elem School (rated 7.0/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Niles), a more accessible option. For more schools in Des Plaines, see our Des Plaines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
North Elementary School Des Plaines 0.4 mi 5.1
Central Elem School Des Plaines 0.4 mi 6.2
PLATO ACADEMY Des Plaines 0.5 mi 7.8
GUARDIAN ANGEL ORTHODOX DAY SCHOOL Des Plaines 0.6 mi 6.5
WILLOWS ACADEMY Des Plaines 1.0 mi 8.6
South Elem School Des Plaines 1.3 mi 5.5
Maine East High School Park Ridge 1.1 mi 7.6
Franklin Elementary School Park Ridge 1.2 mi 6.6
Algonquin Middle School Des Plaines 1.5 mi 7.3
Iroquois Community School Des Plaines 1.9 mi 7.7
Forest Elem School Des Plaines 1.6 mi 5.2
KIDDIE GARDEN Niles 1.7 mi
Plainfield Elem School Des Plaines 1.8 mi 5.1
Cumberland Elem School Des Plaines 1.8 mi 6.0
Early Learning Center Des Plaines 2.0 mi 6.7
Mark Twain Elem School Niles 1.8 mi 7.0
Maine West High School Des Plaines 1.9 mi 6.8
Chippewa Middle School Des Plaines 1.9 mi 7.1
Apollo Elem School Des Plaines 2.1 mi 6.9
MARYVILLE JEN SCHOOL Des Plaines 2.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60016 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,044

Median Home Value

$300,700

Median Rent

$1,406/mo

Population

60,520

College Educated

42.7%

Homeownership

68.5%

Avg Commute

30.8 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

42.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Science & Arts Academy has a median household income of $84,044. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $300,700, with a median rent of $1,406/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
BAKER DEMONSTRATION SCHOOL Wilmette, IL 8.4
COUNTRYSIDE SCHOOL Champaign, IL 8.4
Carolyn Wenz Elem School Paris, IL 8.4
Donovan Elem School Donovan, IL 8.4
Elizabeth Meyer School Skokie, IL 8.4
Gallatin Elementary School Junction, IL 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Science & Arts Academy

What grades does Science & Arts Academy serve?

Science & Arts Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Science & Arts Academy?

Science & Arts Academy has an enrollment of approximately 249 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Science & Arts Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Science & Arts Academy is 6.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Science & Arts Academy rank in IL?

Science & Arts Academy is ranked #31 out of 716 private schools in IL.

What is Science & Arts Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Science & Arts Academy has a composite rating of 8.4 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.

Is Science & Arts Academy a private school?

Yes, Science & Arts Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Science & Arts Academy a religious school?

No, Science & Arts Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
49 Some Transit
Bike Score
71 Very Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,264/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Plaines). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
249
Gender Split
58% M / 42% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
173 days
Setting
Small City
County
COOK
Data Year
2022–2023

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

Related reading

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