Very Good
#922 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 24% in state
Zapata Elem Academy
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
2728 S Kostner Ave, Chicago, IL 60623
Enrollment
520
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
520
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#922 of 3,813
In Chicago
#112 of 630
public schools
In district
#109 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
8.2 / 10
Excellent
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Zapata Elem Academy
Elementary School in Chicago · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Corkery Elem School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
World Language High School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Zapata Elem Academy
Zapata Elem Academy is a public elementary school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Zapata Elem Academy serves approximately 520 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Zapata Elem Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #922 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Zapata Elem Academy show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- District avg 5.9
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at Zapata 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
Zapata Elem Academy — Students at Zapata Elem Academy score 17% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 8%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
90.2%
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: 7.5/10.
How Zapata Elem Academy Compares
See how Zapata Elem Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
2728 S Kostner Ave, Chicago, IL 60623
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Zapata Elem Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. KIPP Chicago Chrtrs - Ascend Acad (rated 7.7/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Cardenas Elem School (rated 7.3/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ortiz De Dominguez Elem School (rated 6.5/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Corkery Elem School Chicago | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| World Language High School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 7.2 |
| School of Social Justice HS Chicago | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Multicultural Arts High School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Infinity Math Science & Tech HS Chicago | 0.4 mi | 7.6 |
| GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago | 0.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Whitney Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Cicero East Elem School Cicero | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Cicero West Elementary School Cicero | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Mason Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Gary Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Little Village Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Ortiz De Dominguez Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Hughes C Elem School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Cardenas Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| ST AGNES OF BOHEMIA SCHOOL Chicago | 1.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Penn Elem School Chicago | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| KIPP Chicago Chrtrs - Ascend Acad Chicago | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| T Roosevelt Elem School Cicero | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Columbus East Elem School Cicero | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60623 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$44,040
Median Home Value
$221,400
Median Rent
$1,054/mo
Population
77,061
College Educated
13.7%
Homeownership
38.4%
Avg Commute
32.4 min
Poverty Rate
24.7%
Median Age
35.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Acero Chtr - SPC Zizumbo Elem Chicago, IL | 7.4 |
| Buzz Aldrin Elem School Schaumburg, IL | 7.4 |
| Cherry Valley Elementary School Rockford, IL | 7.4 |
| Delores Moye Elem School O Fallon, IL | 7.4 |
| Dr. Abby Fox Rooney Elem Sch Quincy, IL | 7.4 |
| Eagle Pointe Elementary School Plainfield, IL | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Zapata Elem Academy
What grades does Zapata Elem Academy serve?
Zapata Elem Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Zapata Elem Academy?
Zapata Elem Academy has an enrollment of approximately 520 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Zapata Elem Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Zapata Elem Academy is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Zapata Elem Academy rank in IL?
Zapata Elem Academy ranks #922 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Zapata Elem Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Zapata Elem Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Zapata Elem Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Zapata Elem Academy has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Zapata Elem Academy a charter school?
No, Zapata Elem Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Zapata Elem Academy a Title I school?
No, Zapata Elem Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Zapata Elem Academy?
90.2% of students at Zapata 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 520
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 90.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.9%
- Phone
- (773) 534-1390
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #109 of 621
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