Below Average
#3301 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
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
314
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,301 of 3,813
In Chicago
#551 of 630
public schools
In district
#542 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
7.6 / 10
Very Good
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Wells Preparatory Elem Academy
Elementary School in Chicago · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Phillips Academy High School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Chicago Military Academy HS
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Wells Preparatory Elem Academy
Wells Preparatory Elem Academy is a public elementary school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Wells Preparatory Elem Academy serves approximately 314 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Wells Preparatory Elem Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #3,301 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Wells Preparatory Elem Academy show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.4 · Below Average
- District avg 5.9
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
31% of students at Wells Preparatory Elem Academy 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
Wells Preparatory Elem Academy — Students at Wells Preparatory Elem Academy score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 13%).
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 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: 3.6/10.
How Wells Preparatory Elem Academy Compares
See how Wells Preparatory Elem Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 9.8/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOLY ANGELS (rated 6.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fuller Elem School (rated 6.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 7.1 |
| Chicago Military Academy HS Chicago | 0.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Perspectives Chtr - IIT Campus Chicago | 0.2 mi | 4.7 |
| DE LA SALLE INSTITUTE - INSTITUTE CAMPUS Chicago | 0.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Urban Prep Chtr Bronzeville HS Chicago | 0.4 mi | 7.9 |
| James R Doolittle Academy Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Pershing Elem Humanities Magnet Chicago | 0.6 mi | 4.3 |
| YCCS-Youth Connection Leadership Chicago | 0.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Bronzeville Classical Elem Sch Chicago | 0.6 mi | 9.8 |
| Univ of Chicago Chtr-Donoghue Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Fuller Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| HOLY ANGELS Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Mollison Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Air Force Acad High School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 7.3 |
| CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago | 0.7 mi | — |
| YCCS-McKinley-Lakeside Leadership Chicago | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| MCKINLEY LAKESIDE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Chicago | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Woodson South Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Hendricks Elem Community Academy Chicago | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adm Richard E Byrd Elem School Elk Grove Village, IL | 4.4 |
| Bethalto East Primary School Bethalto, IL | 4.4 |
| Brighton Park Elem School Chicago, IL | 4.4 |
| Cassell Elem School Chicago, IL | 4.4 |
| Cedar Ridge Elem School Bloomington, IL | 4.4 |
| Daisy Bates Acad of Social Justic Chicago, IL | 4.4 |
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 ranks #3,301 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Wells Preparatory Elem Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Wells Preparatory Elem Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Wells Preparatory Elem Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Wells Preparatory Elem Academy has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.2%
- Phone
- (773) 535-1204
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #542 of 621
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