Average
#1966 of 3,813 schools in IL
Wells Preparatory Elem Academy
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
249 E 37th St, Chicago, IL 60653
Enrollment
314
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
314
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#375 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,209 of 2,326
In district
#370 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Wells Preparatory Elem Academy
Wells Preparatory Elem Academy is a public elementary school located in Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 314 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranking at #3394 in Illinois state rankings, Wells Preparatory Elem Academy is dedicated to improving academic performance for all students.
Currently, the school reports that only 9% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and 8% in math across various grade levels. These figures suggest there is significant room for growth in academic achievement. Wells Preparatory Elem Academy sits in a bustling urban environment within Chicago’s dynamic educational landscape.
The school's setting offers unique opportunities for community engagement and partnerships that can enhance the learning experience for students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Wells Preparatory Elem Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Wells Preparatory Elem Academy — Students at Wells Preparatory Elem Academy score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 12%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.3%
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: 7.1/10.
How Wells Preparatory Elem Academy Compares
See how Wells Preparatory Elem Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 11% (2019) to 5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 7.5% (2022).
Location
249 E 37th St, Chicago, IL 60653
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wells Preparatory Elem Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bronzeville Classical Elem Sch (rated 9.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mollison Elem School (rated 8.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, James R Doolittle Academy (rated 7.1/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Phillips Academy High School Chicago | 0.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Chicago Military Academy HS Chicago | 0.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Perspectives Chtr - IIT Campus Chicago | 0.2 mi | 5.2 |
| DE LA SALLE INSTITUTE - INSTITUTE CAMPUS Chicago | 0.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Urban Prep Chtr Bronzeville HS Chicago | 0.4 mi | 7.6 |
| James R Doolittle Academy Chicago | 0.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Pershing Elem Humanities Magnet Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| YCCS-Youth Connection Leadership Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Bronzeville Classical Elem Sch Chicago | 0.6 mi | 9.2 |
| Univ of Chicago Chtr-Donoghue Chicago | 0.6 mi | 3.3 |
| Fuller Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| HOLY ANGELS Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Mollison Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Air Force Acad High School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 8.7 |
| CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago | 0.7 mi | — |
| YCCS-McKinley-Lakeside Leadership Chicago | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| MCKINLEY LAKESIDE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Chicago | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Woodson South Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Hendricks Elem Community Academy Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60653 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$39,565
Median Home Value
$347,800
Median Rent
$856/mo
Population
34,608
College Educated
37.7%
Homeownership
30.9%
Avg Commute
30.8 min
Poverty Rate
29.5%
Median Age
36.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wells Preparatory Elem Academy has a median household income of $39,565. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $347,800, with a median rent of $856/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur, IL | 6.2 |
| Big Hollow Primary School Ingleside, IL | 6.2 |
| Bismarck-Henning Elem School Bismarck, IL | 6.2 |
| Bond Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.2 |
| Carter Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.2 |
| Central Elem School Des Plaines, IL | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wells Preparatory Elem Academy
What grades does Wells Preparatory Elem Academy serve?
Wells Preparatory Elem Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Wells Preparatory Elem Academy?
Wells Preparatory Elem Academy has an enrollment of approximately 314 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wells Preparatory Elem Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Wells Preparatory Elem Academy is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wells Preparatory Elem Academy rank in IL?
Wells Preparatory Elem Academy is ranked #1966 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Wells Preparatory Elem Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Wells Preparatory Elem Academy has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Wells Preparatory Elem Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wells Preparatory Elem Academy has 8.0% math proficiency and 9.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Wells Preparatory Elem Academy a charter school?
No, Wells Preparatory Elem Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wells Preparatory Elem Academy a Title I school?
No, Wells Preparatory Elem Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wells Preparatory Elem Academy?
80.3% of students at Wells Preparatory Elem Academy 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
- 314
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 535-1204
- 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
- #370 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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