Average
#1962 of 3,813 schools in IL
Shields Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
4250 S Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60632
Enrollment
487
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
487
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#371 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,205 of 2,326
In district
#366 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Shields Elem School
Shields Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, Shields has an enrollment of 487 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1 with 41 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is situated in a bustling urban setting where community engagement and local resources are integral to its educational framework.
Shields Elem School’s MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.5 out of 10, reflecting areas for improvement in academic performance and overall ranking among Illinois schools. In terms of standardized test scores, the school shows that only 10% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 7% meet proficiency standards in Math. These figures indicate there is significant room for academic growth and development.
Despite its challenges, Shields Elem School remains a vital part of the Chicago community, focusing on nurturing young minds and providing essential educational support to local families.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Shields Elem School 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Shields Elem School — Students at Shields Elem School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94%
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 Shields Elem School Compares
See how Shields Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 7.5% (2022).
Location
4250 S Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60632
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shields Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Everett Elem School (rated 8.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTESSORI FOUNDATIONS OF CHGO (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Acero Chtr - Sandra Cisneros Elem (rated 6.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Acero Chtr-Brighton Park Elem Sch Chicago | 0.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Thomas Kelly College Preparatory Chicago | 0.3 mi | 7.9 |
| POPE JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chicago | 0.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Brighton Park Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Acero Chtr - Sandra Cisneros Elem Chicago | 0.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Shields Middle School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Gunsaulus Elem Scholastic Academy Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Horizon Science Acad-McKinley Pk Chicago | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Acero Chtr - Officer Marquez Elem Chicago | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Noble St Chtr - Mansueto Chicago | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Davis N Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Burroughs Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Back of The Yards IB HS Chicago | 0.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Christopher Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Columbia Explorers Elem Academy Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| MONTESSORI FOUNDATIONS OF CHGO Chicago | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Acero Chtr - Rufino Tamayo Elem Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Thomas Early Childhood Center Chicago | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Everett Elem School Chicago | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Nightingale Elem School Chicago | 1.3 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 Shields 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 |
|---|---|
| Academy for Global Citizenship Chicago, IL | 6.2 |
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur, IL | 6.2 |
| Benjamin Elem School Bloomington, IL | 6.2 |
| Big Hollow Primary School Ingleside, IL | 6.2 |
| Bismarck-Henning Elem School Bismarck, IL | 6.2 |
| Central Elem School Des Plaines, IL | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shields Elem School
What grades does Shields Elem School serve?
Shields Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Shields Elem School?
Shields Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 487 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shields Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Shields Elem School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shields Elem School rank in IL?
Shields Elem School is ranked #1962 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Shields Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shields Elem School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Shields Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shields Elem School has 7.3% math proficiency and 10.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Shields Elem School a charter school?
No, Shields Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shields Elem School a Title I school?
No, Shields Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shields Elem School?
94.0% of students at Shields 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 – 4th
- Enrollment
- 487
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 94.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 535-7285
- 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
- #366 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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