Ward J Elementary School

2701 S Shields Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
(School attendance zone shown in map)
7/
10
Top 50%
Serving 534 students in grades Prekindergarten-8, Ward J Elementary School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Illinois for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 30%, and reading proficiency is top 30%) .
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 35% (which is higher than the Illinois state average of 28%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 27% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 32%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Illinois state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 93% of the student body (majority Asian), which is higher than the Illinois state average of 53% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 534 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 93%
  • : Top 50% in IL
  • : 35% (Top 30%)
  • : 27% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Ward J Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Ward J Elementary School's student population of 534 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 33 teachers has grown by 10% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Total Students
534 students
This chart display total students of Ward J Elementary School by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Gender %
This chart display gender of Ward J Elementary School
Total Classroom Teachers
33 teachers
This chart display the total teachers of Ward J Elementary School by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart display the students of Ward J Elementary School by grade.

School Rankings

Ward J Elementary School ranks within the top 50% of all 3,663 schools in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Ward J Elementary School is 0.42, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.68. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Definition of Terms 2021-2022 School Year Data
This School
State Level (IL)
#1235 out of 3663 schools
(Top 50%)
This chart display the overall school rank of Ward J Elementary School, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
35%
28%
This chart display the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Ward J Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Illinois by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
27%
32%
This chart display the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Ward J Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Illinois by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
14:1
This chart display the student teacher ratio of Ward J Elementary School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Illinois by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
75%
5%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Ward J Elementary School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Illinois by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Hispanic
10%
27%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Ward J Elementary School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Illinois by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Black
8%
17%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Ward J Elementary School and the percentage of Black public school students in Illinois by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
White
7%
47%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Ward J Elementary School and the percentage of White public school students in Illinois by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
n/a
4%
This chart display the percentage of students of two or more races in Ward J Elementary School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Illinois by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Ward J Elementary School.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in IL.
0.42
This chart display the diversity score of Ward J Elementary School and the public school average diversity score of Illinois by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Eligible for Free Lunch
87%
43%
This chart display the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Ward J Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Illinois by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (13-14)
8%
3%
This chart display the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Ward J Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Illinois by year, with the latest 2013-14 school year data.
Source: 2021-2022 (latest school year available) National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ward J Elementary School's ranking?
Ward J Elementary School is ranked #1235 out of 3,663 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Illinois.
What schools are Ward J Elementary School often compared to?
Ward J Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Healy Elementary School, Sheridan Elementary Math & Science Academy by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
35% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 28% IL state average), while 27% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 32% IL state average).
How many students attend Ward J Elementary School?
534 students attend Ward J Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
75% of Ward J Elementary School students are Asian, 10% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Black, and 7% of students are White.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Ward J Elementary School?
Ward J Elementary School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 14:1.
What grades does Ward J Elementary School offer ?
Ward J Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-8
What school district is Ward J Elementary School part of?
Ward J Elementary School is part of City Of Chicago SD 299 School District.

School Reviews

5   9/29/2009
Despite the school being the oldest educational facilty in Chicago, Ward carries a good reputation for limited crime, residing itself on the safe boundries of Chinatown. The population mostly consists of Asians, most repectively, Chinese. Most of the faculty offers an intense learning experience. The school is somewhat small compared to others (500+), but the school offers various opportunities and activities. It is how one considers his choices that stands in the matter of his success. Talented students in the academic or physical areas have their choices. Academic competitions (i.e. Academic Bowl, Math Team, etc.) have placed good marks in Area and City competitions, while the athletic teams have beaten down many of its stronger opponents. Level of parent involvement is pretty good, as there are Meet the Teachers Night's, Family Reading Night, etc.; however, there are still space for improvement on updating the school's website more often. Overall, I love this school. It has given me memories and nourishment of which I will never grow out. I now think of school as not only a development for life but life itself. I strongly recommend going to this school, especially because of the fact that it offers Spanish enrichment in its curriculum. I will never have any regret of choosing this school instead of Haines. ~ Yongming Deng, Class of 2010 :)
- Posted by Student/Alumni - xxms.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 534 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 93%
  • : Top 50%
  • : 35% (Top 30%)
  • : 27% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

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