Average
#2899 of 3,813 schools in IL
Twain Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
5134 S Lotus Ave, Chicago, IL 60638
Enrollment
876
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
876
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#520 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,717 of 2,326
In district
#512 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
Academic performance
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Twain Elem School
Twain Elementary School serves 876 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Chicago's 60638 neighborhood. With 57 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, providing reasonably sized classes for personalized attention. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #1515 out of 3819 Illinois elementary schools, placing it in the 60th percentile statewide.
Academically, Twain receives a 6.9 out of 10 score, with 33% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading across all grades. These results indicate the school is performing at average levels with room for continued academic growth. Twain Elementary sits in a stable residential neighborhood where families enjoy a median household income of $85,374 and median home values of $274,100.
The surrounding ZIP code is home to nearly 58,000 residents, with 24% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 6.2%. This economic stability provides a supportive backdrop for the school community. As a regular public elementary school in Chicago's large urban setting, Twain Elementary serves families seeking a neighborhood school option with consistent academic programming and reasonable class sizes.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Twain Elem School — Students at Twain Elem School score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.5%
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: 3.0/10.
How Twain Elem School Compares
See how Twain Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 16% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 33% (2022).
Location
5134 S Lotus Ave, Chicago, IL 60638
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Twain Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Byrne Elem School (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hearst Elem School (rated 6.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kinzie Elem School (rated 6.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Charles J Sahs Elem School Chicago | 0.2 mi | 6.4 |
| OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS SCHOOL Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Hearst Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| KID'Z COLONY Chicago | 1.0 mi | — |
| Academy for Global Citizenship Chicago | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Kinzie Elem School Chicago | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Kennedy High School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Grimes Elem School Chicago | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| ST RICHARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Hale Elem School Chicago | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Drexel Elem School Cicero | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| OUR LADY OF CHARITY SCHOOL Cicero | 1.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Pasteur Elem School Chicago | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| District 99 Early Childhood Ctr Cicero | 2.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Acero Chtr - SPC Zizumbo Elem Chicago | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Acero Chtr Netrk - Major Garcia Chicago | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Acero Chtr Network - PFC Torress Chicago | 1.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Byrne Elem School Chicago | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Edison Elem School Stickney | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Abe Lincoln Elem School Cicero | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60638 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,191
Median Home Value
$283,500
Median Rent
$1,327/mo
Population
58,250
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
80.9%
Avg Commute
33.5 min
Poverty Rate
7%
Median Age
38.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Twain Elem School has a median household income of $89,191. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $283,500, with a median rent of $1,327/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Abe Lincoln Elem School Cicero, IL | 5.2 |
| Canty Elem School Chicago, IL | 5.2 |
| Elmwood Elem School Naperville, IL | 5.2 |
| Forest Elem School Des Plaines, IL | 5.2 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Waukegan, IL | 5.2 |
| Joyce Kilmer Elem School Buffalo Grove, IL | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Twain Elem School
What grades does Twain Elem School serve?
Twain Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Twain Elem School?
Twain Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 876 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Twain Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Twain Elem School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Twain Elem School rank in IL?
Twain Elem School is ranked #2899 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Twain Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Twain Elem School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Twain Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Twain Elem School has 26.0% math proficiency and 33.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Twain Elem School a charter school?
No, Twain Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Twain Elem School a Title I school?
No, Twain Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Twain Elem School?
76.5% of students at Twain 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
- 876
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 57
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 535-2290
- 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
- #512 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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