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Very Good

#984 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 26% in state

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

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chicago

#152 of 629

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#631 of 2,326

In district

#151 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Ward L Elem School

Ward L Elementary School is a regular public school located in Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 259 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.2 out of 10, placing it in the 23rd percentile among Illinois schools.

Academically, Ward L Elementary School is focusing on student development, with only 7% of students meeting proficiency levels in both ELA/Reading and Math. While the academic performance may indicate areas for improvement, the school's supportive environment, small class sizes, and dedicated teachers create a nurturing atmosphere for young learners to grow and thrive. Located in a bustling city setting, Ward L Elementary School is part of a vibrant community that values education and strives to provide its students with the tools they need to succeed.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.5%
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)4%
vs. Expected+0.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

Ward L Elem School — Students at Ward L Elem School score 5% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 4%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 6.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 7.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
11%
ELA
7%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
ELA
7.5%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Ward L Elem School Compares

See how Ward L Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
74th percentile in IL
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

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. Lowell Elem School (rated 8.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Beidler Elem School (rated 7.4/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Melody Elem School (rated 7.0/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 5.9
Orr Academy High School Chicago 0.4 mi 6.5
KIPP One Academy Chicago 0.4 mi 5.1
Raby High School Chicago 0.6 mi 7.4
Cameron Elem School Chicago 0.8 mi 5.9
Polaris Elem Charter Academy Chicago 0.6 mi 4.6
Casals Elem School Chicago 0.8 mi 5.6
Westinghouse High School Chicago 0.7 mi 7.0
YCCS-Association House Chicago 0.8 mi 6.4
Piccolo Elem Specialty School Chicago 0.8 mi 6.6
PROVIDENCE ST. MEL SCHOOL Chicago 1.0 mi 5.6
Tilton Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 6.9
Morton Elem Career Academy Chicago 0.8 mi 6.6
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 7.0
Lowell Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 8.0
Beidler Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 7.4
Nobel Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 4.4
YCCS-West Town Academy Alt HS Chicago 0.9 mi 6.6

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ward L Elem School has a median household income of $32,607. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,200, with a median rent of $1,152/month. The area has a poverty rate of 36.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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
Arbor Elementary School Oak Forest, IL 7.2
Blair Early Childhood Center Chicago, IL 7.2
Broadmeadow Elem School Rantoul, IL 7.2
Carrier Mills-Stonefort Elem Sch Carrier Mills, IL 7.2
Claremont Academy Elem School Chicago, IL 7.2
Dillon Elementary School Rock Falls, IL 7.2

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 is ranked #984 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Ward L Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ward L Elem School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Ward L Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ward L Elem School has 6.8% math proficiency and 7.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
60 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
68 Good Transit
Bike Score
76 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,030/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
District Enrollment
322,809
Schools in District
643
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,699
District Rank
#151 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 methodology

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