Below Average
#3189 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
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
487
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,189 of 3,813
In Chicago
#528 of 630
public schools
In district
#520 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very Good
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Shields Elem School
Elementary School in Chicago · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Acero Chtr-brighton Park Elem Sch
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Thomas Kelly College Preparatory
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Shields Elem School
Shields Elem School is a public elementary school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Shields Elem School serves approximately 487 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Shields Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #3,189 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Shields Elem School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 5.9
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
39% of students at Shields Elem School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 27 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: 3.5/10.
How Shields Elem School Compares
See how Shields Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 9.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Acero Chtr - Rufino Tamayo Elem (rated 8.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Burroughs Elem School (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 7.6 |
| Thomas Kelly College Preparatory Chicago | 0.3 mi | 7.2 |
| POPE JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chicago | 0.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Brighton Park Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Acero Chtr - Sandra Cisneros Elem Chicago | 0.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Shields Middle School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Gunsaulus Elem Scholastic Academy Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Horizon Science Acad-McKinley Pk Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Acero Chtr - Officer Marquez Elem Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Noble St Chtr - Mansueto Chicago | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Davis N Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Burroughs Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Back of The Yards IB HS Chicago | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Christopher Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Columbia Explorers Elem Academy Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.6 |
| MONTESSORI FOUNDATIONS OF CHGO Chicago | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Acero Chtr - Rufino Tamayo Elem Chicago | 1.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Thomas Early Childhood Center Chicago | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Everett Elem School Chicago | 1.2 mi | 9.2 |
| Nightingale Elem School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Belmont-Cragin Elem School Chicago, IL | 4.6 |
| CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bloomington, IL | 4.6 |
| Carruthers Elementary School Murphysboro, IL | 4.6 |
| Constance Lane Elementary School Rockford, IL | 4.6 |
| Ellis Elem School Belleville, IL | 4.6 |
| Goreville Elementary School Goreville, IL | 4.6 |
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 ranks #3,189 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Shields Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shields Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Shields Elem School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Shields Elem School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.4%
- Phone
- (773) 535-7285
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #520 of 621
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