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
Enrollment
175
Student-Teacher
8.3:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Whittier Elem School — Students at Whittier Elem School score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 9%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88%
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: 8.2/10.
How Whittier Elem School Compares
See how Whittier Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 2.5% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (773) 535-4590
- 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
- #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 methodologyRelated reading
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