Average
#2447 of 3,813 schools in IL
Smyser Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
4310 N Melvina Ave, Chicago, IL 60634
Enrollment
765
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
765
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#450 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,470 of 2,326
In district
#444 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Smyser Elem School
Smyser Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Chicago's North Side, welcoming 765 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1. The school is staffed by 52 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting learners across its seven-grade span. Academically, Smyser is working to build stronger foundations in core subjects.
Currently, 28% of students are performing at proficient levels or above in English language arts and reading, while 24% meet proficiency benchmarks in mathematics across grade levels. These results indicate there is room for academic growth, and the school continues to focus on student development in these essential skills. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 reflects these early-stage proficiency levels, placing it in the 53rd percentile among Illinois schools.
Located in a large urban setting on the North Side of Chicago, Smyser Elementary serves a diverse neighborhood community. The school's extended grade range through eighth grade provides continuity for families seeking a K-8 learning environment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Smyser Elem School — Students at Smyser Elem School score 22% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.3%
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: 4.1/10.
How Smyser Elem School Compares
See how Smyser Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 28% (2022).
Location
4310 N Melvina Ave, Chicago, IL 60634
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Smyser Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Beard Elem School (rated 8.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Thorp O A Elem Scholastic Acad (rated 8.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Prussing Elem School (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| POPE FRANCIS GLOBAL ACADEMY Chicago | 0.5 mi | 7.3 |
| ST ROBERT BELLARMINE SCHOOL Chicago | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Thorp O A Elem Scholastic Acad Chicago | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Prussing Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Rickover Naval Academy High Schl Chicago | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Beard Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 8.7 |
| ST CONSTANCE SCHOOL Chicago | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Union Ridge Elem School Harwood Heights | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Chicago Academy Elem School Chicago | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Chicago Academy High School Chicago | 1.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Bridge Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Garvy J Elem School Chicago | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Portage Park Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Reinberg Elem School Chicago | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| ICCI ACADEMY Chicago | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| ST FERDINAND PARISH SCHOOL Chicago | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Steinmetz College Prep HS Chicago | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Hitch Elem School Chicago | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Lyon Elem School Chicago | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Farnsworth Elem School Chicago | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60634 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,997
Median Home Value
$333,900
Median Rent
$1,271/mo
Population
74,418
College Educated
27%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
36.2 min
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Median Age
41.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Smyser Elem School has a median household income of $84,997. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $333,900, with a median rent of $1,271/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. 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 Roberto Clemente Elem Chicago, IL | 5.7 |
| Beasley Elem Magnet Academic Ctr Chicago, IL | 5.7 |
| Bouchet Elem Math & Science Acad Chicago, IL | 5.7 |
| Farmington Central Elem Sch Farmington, IL | 5.7 |
| Galena Elementary and Middle Sch Galena, IL | 5.7 |
| Hope Academy Decatur, IL | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Smyser Elem School
What grades does Smyser Elem School serve?
Smyser Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Smyser Elem School?
Smyser Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 765 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Smyser Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Smyser Elem School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Smyser Elem School rank in IL?
Smyser Elem School is ranked #2447 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Smyser Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Smyser Elem School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Smyser Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smyser Elem School has 23.5% math proficiency and 28.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Smyser Elem School a charter school?
No, Smyser Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Smyser Elem School a Title I school?
No, Smyser Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smyser Elem School?
66.3% of students at Smyser 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
- 765
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 52
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 534-3711
- 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
- #444 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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