Excellent
#44 of 716 private schools in IL
Top 6% of private schools
Urban Prairie
Elementary School
1310 S ASHLAND AVE, Chicago, IL 60608
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 623 schools in Chicago. Learn more
Enrollment
125
Student-Teacher
7.1:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
125
Student-Teacher
7.1:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Chicago
#16 of 162
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#20 of 471
About Urban Prairie
Urban Prairie is an elementary school located in the heart of Chicago’s dynamic South Side, at 1310 S Ashland Ave. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Urban Prairie offers a unique educational experience with its mixed-grade structure. The school has a student body of 125 children and maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 7.1:1, ensuring personalized attention for each child.
Urban Prairie is committed to fostering a supportive learning environment with its team of 18 full-time equivalent teachers. While the MySchoolScout rating currently stands at 4.4 out of 10, reflecting room for academic growth, the school's ranking in Illinois as #254 among 716 schools suggests that it is well-regarded within the city’s public education system. Urban Prairie is situated in a vibrant urban setting with plenty of opportunities for community engagement and cultural exploration.
With its dedicated staff and nurturing atmosphere, Urban Prairie aims to provide a strong foundation for young learners as they embark on their educational journey.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 125 students, Urban Prairie is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.1:1, Urban Prairie offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Urban Prairie operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $18,696
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $16,283
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 0.87x — At Risk
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 93%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $2.9M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 125 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Urban Prairie compares to 503 public schools serving similar grades in Chicago, IL
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Urban Prairie (this school) | 8.2 |
| STEM Magnet Academy Elem | 5.5 |
| Acero Chtr - Bartolome de las | 4.7 |
| Pilsen Elem Community Academy | 7.6 |
| Cooper Elem Dual Language Academy | 5.0 |
| Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences | 9.3 |
| Smyth J Elem School | 7.2 |
| Chicago World Language Academy | 7.3 |
| Perez Elem School | 4.9 |
| Galileo Elem Math & Sci Schol Acd | 6.8 |
| Jungman Elem School | 6.1 |
| Young Magnet High School | 8.7 |
| Irving Elem School | 7.5 |
| Whittier Elem School | 7.2 |
| Walsh Elem School | 5.5 |
| Pickard Elem School | 8.6 |
| Dett Elem School | 7.3 |
| Brown W Elem School | 7.5 |
| Rudolph Elem Learning Center | — |
| Plamondon Elem School | 7.3 |
| Ruiz Elem School | 4.6 |
Showing 20 of 503 schools. View all schools in Chicago
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in IL.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in IL
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
1310 S ASHLAND AVE, Chicago, IL 60608
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Urban Prairie may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences (rated 9.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is URBAN PRAIRIE WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10), with a very similar rating. Additionally, CHILDREN OF PEACE SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| URBAN PRAIRIE WALDORF SCHOOL Chicago | 0.0 mi | 8.3 |
| STEM Magnet Academy Elem Chicago | 0.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Acero Chtr - Bartolome de las Chicago | 0.4 mi | 4.7 |
| CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE Chicago | 0.4 mi | — |
| Pilsen Elem Community Academy Chicago | 0.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Chicago Technology Academy HS Chicago | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
| CHILDREN OF PEACE SCHOOL Chicago | 0.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Cooper Elem Dual Language Academy Chicago | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Noble St Chtr-UIC College Prep Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| ST PIUS V SCHOOL Chicago | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences Chicago | 0.6 mi | 9.3 |
| ST PROCOPIUS SCHOOL Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Chicago World Language Academy Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Juarez Community Academy HS Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Perez Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| ST IGNATIUS COLLEGE PREP Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Smyth J Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Young Magnet High School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Galileo Elem Math & Sci Schol Acd Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| CHICAGO HOPE ACADEMY Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60608 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,704
Median Home Value
$341,500
Median Rent
$1,208/mo
Population
81,459
College Educated
34.3%
Homeownership
40.2%
Avg Commute
30.1 min
Poverty Rate
17.9%
Median Age
34.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Urban Prairie has a median household income of $70,704. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $341,500, with a median rent of $1,208/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.9%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Betsy Ross Elem School Forest Park, IL | 8.2 |
| Cairo Elementary School Cairo, IL | 8.2 |
| Dongola Elementary School Dongola, IL | 8.2 |
| P L Bolin Elem School East Peoria, IL | 8.2 |
| AKIBA-SCHECHTER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Chicago, IL | 8.1 |
| Astoria Elem School Astoria, IL | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Urban Prairie
What grades does Urban Prairie serve?
Urban Prairie serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Urban Prairie?
Urban Prairie has an enrollment of approximately 125 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Urban Prairie?
The student-teacher ratio at Urban Prairie is 7.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Urban Prairie rank in IL?
Urban Prairie is ranked #44 out of 716 private schools in IL.
What is Urban Prairie's MySchoolScout rating?
Urban Prairie has a composite rating of 8.2 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.
Is Urban Prairie a private school?
Yes, Urban Prairie is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Urban Prairie a religious school?
No, Urban Prairie is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 125
- Gender Split
- 54% M / 46% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7.2 hours
- Days Per Year
- 165 days
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- COOK
- Phone
- (312) 733-5337
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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