Very Good
#817 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 21% in state
Waters Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
4540 N Campbell Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Enrollment
659
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
659
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#121 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#534 of 2,326
In district
#120 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
Academic performance
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Waters Elem School
Waters Elementary School serves 659 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Chicago's vibrant North Side community. With 43 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.3 to 1, allowing for reasonably sized classes that support individual attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking #311 out of 3,819 schools statewide, placing it in the 92nd percentile among Illinois elementary schools.
Waters Elementary achieves an impressive academic score of 8.9 out of 10. In both English Language Arts and Mathematics, 49% of students perform at proficient or above levels across all grade levels, indicating solid foundational skills development throughout the school. As a regular public school, Waters Elementary provides comprehensive education spanning nine grade levels, from early childhood through middle school years.
This extended grade range allows families to maintain continuity within one school community as their children progress through their elementary and middle school education. The school sits in the heart of Chicago's 60625 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $83,527 and 53% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a well-educated community that values academic achievement.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Waters Elem School — Students at Waters Elem School score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21.2%
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: 6.8/10.
How Waters Elem School Compares
See how Waters Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 50% (2019) to 48% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 44% (2022).
Location
4540 N Campbell Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waters Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bell Elem School (rated 8.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ST MATTHIAS SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Coonley Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| QUEEN OF ANGELS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago | 0.2 mi | 7.0 |
| ST MATTHIAS SCHOOL Chicago | 0.5 mi | 7.6 |
| SPARK MONTESSORI Chicago | 0.5 mi | — |
| LAWRENCE HALL SCHOOL Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| RAVENSWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chicago | 0.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Coonley Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Budlong Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| THRESHOLDS Chicago | 0.7 mi | — |
| Bateman Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| NORTH PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Chappell Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| ST BENEDICT PREPARATORY SCHOOL Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| NORTHSHORE ADVENTIST ACADEMY Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| LYCEE FRANCAIS DE CHICAGO Chicago | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| PILGRIM LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Devry Advantage Academy High Schl Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| North River Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| McPherson Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Bell Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Amundsen High School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60625 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,299
Median Home Value
$396,700
Median Rent
$1,455/mo
Population
78,467
College Educated
53.8%
Homeownership
40.3%
Avg Commute
35.3 min
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Median Age
36
Community Profile
The community surrounding Waters Elem School has a median household income of $85,299. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $396,700, with a median rent of $1,455/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carman-Buckner Elem School Waukegan, IL | 7.4 |
| Coventry Elem School Crystal Lake, IL | 7.4 |
| Holmes Elem School Clarendon Hills, IL | 7.4 |
| J Leigh Elem School Norridge, IL | 7.4 |
| Lincoln Prairie Elem School Lake in the Hills, IL | 7.4 |
| Manteno Elem School Manteno, IL | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waters Elem School
What grades does Waters Elem School serve?
Waters Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Waters Elem School?
Waters Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 659 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waters Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Waters Elem School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Waters Elem School rank in IL?
Waters Elem School is ranked #817 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Waters Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Waters Elem School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Waters Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waters Elem School has 49.0% math proficiency and 49.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Waters Elem School a charter school?
No, Waters Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Waters Elem School a Title I school?
No, Waters Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waters Elem School?
21.2% of students at Waters 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
- Walk Score
- 92 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 69 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 84 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,030/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 659
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 21.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 534-5090
- 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
- #120 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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