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Very Good

#983 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 26% in state

Whittier Elem School

Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

1900 W 23rd St, Chicago, IL 60608

Enrollment

175

Student-Teacher

8.3:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chicago

#151 of 629

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#630 of 2,326

In district

#150 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Whittier Elem School

Whittier Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Whittier provides a diverse educational experience with an enrollment of 175 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8.3:1, ensuring ample attention for each child. The school's setting in the heart of a large city offers unique opportunities to engage with urban resources and community partnerships.

Whittier Elem School has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10, placing it at the 23rd percentile among Illinois schools. Academically, the school is focusing on student development, with proficiency rates in ELA/Reading at 10% and Math at 9%. These figures indicate areas for improvement but also highlight the potential for growth and support from the school community.

Whittier Elem School stands as a vital part of Chicago's educational landscape, offering a nurturing environment within a bustling urban setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 175 students, Whittier Elem School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Whittier Elem School 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.3:1, Whittier Elem School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.73 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency2.5%
Overall Proficiency6%
Expected (poverty-adj.)9%
vs. Expected-2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

Whittier Elem School — Students at Whittier Elem School score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 9%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

88%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 8.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 9.8%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
ELA
2.5%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Whittier Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
74th percentile in IL
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

1900 W 23rd St, Chicago, IL 60608

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Whittier Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences (rated 9.3/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pickard Elem School (rated 8.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, URBAN PRAIRIE WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.1 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
Orozco Elem Fine Arts & Sciences Chicago 0.5 mi 9.3
Ruiz Elem School Chicago 0.4 mi 4.6
Cooper Elem Dual Language Academy Chicago 0.5 mi 5.0
ST PIUS V SCHOOL Chicago 0.5 mi 5.6
Juarez Community Academy HS Chicago 0.5 mi 7.4
Pickard Elem School Chicago 0.5 mi 8.6
Acero Chtr - Bartolome de las Chicago 0.7 mi 4.7
IJLA Charter High School Chicago 0.6 mi 6.4
IHSCA Charter High School Chicago 0.7 mi 5.0
Finkl Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 6.3
Pilsen Elem Community Academy Chicago 0.8 mi 7.6
Noble St Chtr-UIC College Prep Chicago 1.0 mi 5.4
URBAN PRAIRIE Chicago 1.1 mi 8.2
URBAN PRAIRIE WALDORF SCHOOL Chicago 1.1 mi 8.3
Perez Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 4.9
CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE Chicago 1.2 mi
Acero Chtr - Octavio Paz Elem Sch Chicago 0.9 mi 7.1
ST PROCOPIUS SCHOOL Chicago 1.0 mi 6.0
CHILDREN OF PEACE SCHOOL Chicago 1.3 mi 8.0
Chicago Technology Academy HS Chicago 1.1 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60608 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,704

Median Home Value

$341,500

Median Rent

$1,208/mo

Population

81,459

College Educated

34.3%

Homeownership

40.2%

Avg Commute

30.1 min

Poverty Rate

17.9%

Median Age

34.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Whittier Elem School has a median household income of $70,704. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $341,500, with a median rent of $1,208/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.9%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Flanagan Elem School Flanagan, IL 7.2
Garfield Elem School Chicago Heights, IL 7.2
Hardin County Elem School Elizabethtown, IL 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Whittier Elem School

What grades does Whittier Elem School serve?

Whittier Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Whittier Elem School?

Whittier Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 175 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Whittier Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Whittier Elem School is 8.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Whittier Elem School rank in IL?

Whittier Elem School is ranked #983 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Whittier Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Whittier 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 Whittier Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whittier Elem School has 8.8% math proficiency and 9.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Whittier Elem School a charter school?

No, Whittier Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Whittier Elem School a Title I school?

No, Whittier Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whittier Elem School?

88.0% of students at Whittier 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
88 Very Walkable
Transit Score
68 Good Transit
Bike Score
77 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
175
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
88.0%
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
#150 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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