Needs Improvement
#3692 of 3,813 schools in IL
Ward L Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
646 N Lawndale Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
Enrollment
259
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
259
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,692 of 3,813
In Chicago
#617 of 630
public schools
In district
#608 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
Shortlisting around Ward L Elem School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Ward L Elem School
Elementary School in Chicago · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Noble St Chtr-rowe-clark MS Acad
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Orr Academy High School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ward L Elem School
Ward L Elem School is a public elementary school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Ward L Elem School serves approximately 259 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Ward L Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #3,692 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Ward L Elem School show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.9
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
54% of students at Ward L 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
Ward L Elem School — Students at Ward L Elem School score 5% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 4%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.1%
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: 1.6/10.
How Ward L Elem School Compares
See how Ward L Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
646 N Lawndale Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ward L Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Casals Elem School (rated 8.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is KIPP One Academy (rated 7.8/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Nobel Elem School (rated 6.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Noble St Chtr-Rowe-Clark MS Acad Chicago | 0.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Orr Academy High School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| KIPP One Academy Chicago | 0.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Raby High School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Cameron Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Polaris Elem Charter Academy Chicago | 0.6 mi | 3.5 |
| Casals Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Westinghouse High School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| YCCS-Association House Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Piccolo Elem Specialty School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| PROVIDENCE ST. MEL SCHOOL Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Tilton Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Morton Elem Career Academy Chicago | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| UCAN ACADEMY Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| MATERNITY BVM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Melody Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Lowell Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Beidler Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 3.7 |
| Nobel Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| YCCS-West Town Academy Alt HS Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60624 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$32,607
Median Home Value
$223,200
Median Rent
$1,152/mo
Population
35,711
College Educated
13.1%
Homeownership
26.4%
Avg Commute
34.1 min
Poverty Rate
36.1%
Median Age
34.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Franklin Elementary School Dolton, IL | 3.4 |
| Gilson Brown Elem School Godfrey, IL | 3.4 |
| Higgins Elem Community Academy Chicago, IL | 3.4 |
| Irving Elem School Chicago, IL | 3.4 |
| Neoga Elementary School Neoga, IL | 3.4 |
| Roosevelt Elem School Dolton, IL | 3.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ward L Elem School
What grades does Ward L Elem School serve?
Ward L Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Ward L Elem School?
Ward L Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 259 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ward L Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ward L Elem School is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ward L Elem School rank in IL?
Ward L Elem School ranks #3,692 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Ward L Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ward L Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Ward L Elem School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ward L Elem School has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Ward L Elem School a charter school?
No, Ward L Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ward L Elem School a Title I school?
No, Ward L Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ward L Elem School?
98.1% of students at Ward L 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 – 8th
- Enrollment
- 259
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 53.7%
- Phone
- (773) 534-6440
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #608 of 621
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.