Needs Improvement
#3775 of 3,813 schools in IL
Sward Elem School
Elementary School · Oak Lawn-Hometown SD 123
9830 S Brandt Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Enrollment
517
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
517
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Oak Lawn
#12 of 12
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#2,292 of 2,326
In district
#6 of 6
Oak Lawn-Hometown SD 123
About Sward Elem School
Sward Elem School is a public elementary school nestled in Oak Lawn, Illinois, within Cook County. Spanning from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school serves 517 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1, ensuring personalized attention for each child. With 31 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Sward Elem School aims to provide a supportive learning environment.
While Sward Elem School’s MySchoolScout Rating is 5.0 out of 10 and it ranks 2290th out of 3819 schools in Illinois (40th percentile), there's room for academic growth, particularly with proficiency rates at 41% in ELA/Reading and 28% in Math across all grades. Situated in a large suburban area, Sward Elem School is part of the Oak Lawn community, where students can engage in local activities and benefit from nearby resources.
Score Breakdown
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Sward Elem School — Students at Sward Elem School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.2%
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: 1.4/10.
How Sward Elem School Compares
See how Sward Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 13% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 40% (2022).
Location
9830 S Brandt Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sward Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Columbus Manor Elem School (rated 7.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SOUTHWEST CHICAGO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL-OAK LAWN (rated 7.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hometown Elem School (rated 7.3/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Hometown), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Oak Lawn, see our Oak Lawn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle Sch Oak Lawn | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| ST LINUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oak Lawn | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| J Covington Elem School Oak Lawn | 0.9 mi | 3.6 |
| SOUTHWEST CHICAGO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL-OAK LAWN Oak Lawn | 0.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Kolmar Avenue Elem School Oak Lawn | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| ST GERMAINE SCHOOL Oak Lawn | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| ST GERALD SCHOOL Oak Lawn | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| J M Hannum Elem School Oak Lawn | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| H L Richards High Sch(Campus) Oak Lawn | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Hometown Elem School Hometown | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Ridge Lawn Elementary School Chicago Ridge | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| OAK LAWN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Oak Lawn | 1.5 mi | — |
| Columbus Manor Elem School Oak Lawn | 1.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Oak Lawn Comm High School Oak Lawn | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Lawn Manor School Oak Lawn | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| ST CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA SCHOOL Oak Lawn | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| BR RICE HIGH SCHOOL Chicago | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Harnew Elem School Oak Lawn | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Richard Byrd Elementary School Burbank | 2.0 mi | 3.5 |
| MOTHER MCAULEY LIBERAL ARTS HIGH SCHOOL Chicago | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60453 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,493
Median Home Value
$267,900
Median Rent
$1,310/mo
Population
57,098
College Educated
30.2%
Homeownership
82.5%
Avg Commute
31.1 min
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Median Age
40.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sward Elem School has a median household income of $82,493. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $267,900, with a median rent of $1,310/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% 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 |
|---|---|
| Briar Glen Elem School Wheaton, IL | 3.4 |
| Empire Elem School Freeport, IL | 3.4 |
| Hines Primary School Peoria, IL | 3.4 |
| Lake in the Hills Elem School Lk in the Hls, IL | 3.4 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Hoffman Estates, IL | 3.4 |
| CICS - Basil Campus Chicago, IL | 3.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sward Elem School
What grades does Sward Elem School serve?
Sward Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Sward Elem School?
Sward Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 517 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sward Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sward Elem School is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sward Elem School rank in IL?
Sward Elem School is ranked #3775 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Sward Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sward Elem School has a composite rating of 3.4 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.
What are the test scores at Sward Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sward Elem School has 28.5% math proficiency and 41.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sward Elem School a charter school?
No, Sward Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sward Elem School a Title I school?
No, Sward Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sward Elem School?
41.2% of students at Sward 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 (1,913/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Oak Lawn). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 517
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (708) 423-7820
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Oak Lawn-Hometown SD 123- District Enrollment
- 3,332
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,518
- District Rank
- #6 of 6
Other Schools in This District
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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