Below Average
#3430 of 3,813 schools in IL
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
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
520
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#594 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#2,044 of 2,326
In district
#586 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Zapata Elem Academy
Zapata Elem Academy is a public elementary school nestled in Chicago’s dynamic urban landscape. Spanning from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school enrolls 520 students and boasts a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.7:1, ensuring each child receives personalized attention. With 41 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their educational journey, Zapata Elem Academy aims to provide a supportive learning environment.
Academically, Zapata Elem Academy has been rated at the 14th percentile among Illinois schools with a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.8 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 4.2 out of 10. In reading and math, 27% and 26% of students respectively are proficient or above, indicating areas for growth but also highlighting the school's commitment to student development. While specific neighborhood details are not available, Zapata Elem Academy is situated in a bustling city setting that offers a wealth of cultural and educational opportunities.
The school’s location within Chicago provides unique experiences and resources for its diverse community of learners.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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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 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: 1.2/10.
How Zapata Elem Academy Compares
See how Zapata Elem Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 7.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 26% (2022).
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. Ortiz De Dominguez Elem School (rated 6.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mason Elem School (rated 6.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Little Village Elem School (rated 6.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 6.1 |
| World Language High School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 7.8 |
| School of Social Justice HS Chicago | 0.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Multicultural Arts High School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 6.4 |
| 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 | 4.5 |
| Cicero East Elem School Cicero | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Cicero West Elementary School Cicero | 0.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Mason Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Gary Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Little Village Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Ortiz De Dominguez Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Hughes C Elem School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Cardenas Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| 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 | 5.9 |
| T Roosevelt Elem School Cicero | 1.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Columbus East Elem School Cicero | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Zapata Elem Academy has a median household income of $44,040. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,400, with a median rent of $1,054/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Anne Fox Elem School Hanover Park, IL | 4.5 |
| Charter Oak Primary School Peoria, IL | 4.5 |
| Circle Center Grade School Yorkville, IL | 4.5 |
| Coleman Elem School Elgin, IL | 4.5 |
| Crete Elementary School Crete, IL | 4.5 |
| Dr Kenneth M Sorrick School Palos Hills, IL | 4.5 |
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 is ranked #3430 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Zapata Elem Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Zapata Elem Academy has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Zapata Elem Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Zapata Elem Academy has 25.8% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 520
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 90.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 534-1390
- 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
- #586 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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