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Chicago World Language Academy

1340 W Harrison St
Chicago, IL 60607

Top 30%

The Chicago World Language Academy was opened in 1894 to serve children from the crowded tenement community surrounding the Polk Street Station port of entry for immigrants. That year was started one of the first public schools kindergartens in Chicago, Illinois.

Serving 453 students in grades Kindergarten-8, Chicago World Language Academy ranks in the top 30% of all schools in Illinois for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).

The percentage of students achieving is 24% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 28%). The percentage of students achieving is 51% (which is higher than the Illinois state average of 30%).

The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is equal to the Illinois state level of 13:1.

Minority enrollment is 90% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is higher than the Illinois state average of 55% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Quick Stats (2025)

Grades: Kindergarten-8
Enrollment: 453 students
Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Minority Enrollment: 90%
: Top 30% in IL
: 24% (Top 50%)
: 51% (Top 20%)
: 60-64% (Top 30%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Chicago World Language Academy ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:

School Overview

Chicago World Language Academy's student population of 453 students has declined by 14% over five school years.

The teacher population of 34 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

Awards

Blue Ribbon School - Selected in 2010

Grades Offered

Grades Kindergarten-8

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Chicago World Language Academy
Kind	47
1	53
2	54
3	54
4	59
5	58
6	56
7	39
8	33

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Total Students

453 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Chicago World Language Academy
2023	451
2022	438
2021	506
2020	530
2019	530
2018	561
2017	561
2016	564
2015	566
2014	565
2013	560
2012	554
2011	550
2010	544
2009	546
2008	534
2007	538
2006	542
2005	540
2004	545
2003	542
2002	547
2001	547
2000	543
1999	541
1998	543
1997	551
1996	551
1995	553
1994	563
1993	559
1992	556
1991	555
1990	557
1989	541
1988	500
1987	474

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

34 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1992-2023)
Year	Chicago World Language Academy
2023	31
2022	33
2020	35
2019	35
2018	29
2017	29
2016	33
2015	32
2014	33
2013	33
2012	30
2011	32
2010	32
2009	32
2008	37
2007	34
2006	37
2005	33
2004	29
2003	31
2002	30
2001	31
2000	29
1999	31
1998	32
1997	33
1996	31
1995	31
1994	32
1993	31
1992	18

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School Calendar

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School Rankings

Chicago World Language Academy ranks within the top 30% of all 3,426 schools in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Chicago World Language Academy is 0.74, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (IL)

#854 out of 3426 schools
(Top 30%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Chicago World Language Academy
2022	#854
2021	#1695
2019	#961
2018	#885
2017	#598
2016	#264
2015	#145
2014	#94
2013	#83
2012	#41
2011	#7

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(20-21)

24%

28%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2010-2021)
Year	Chicago World Language Academy	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2021	24%	28%	17%
2019	37%	33%	24%
2018	38%	32%	22%
2017	45%	32%	24%
2016	53%	31%	23%
2015	60%	29%	21%
2014	89%	59%	50%
2013	88%	58%	48%
2012	97%	80%	73%
2011	99%	80%	72%
2010	99%	80%	70%

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51%

30%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Chicago World Language Academy	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2022	51%	30%	20%
2021	25%	32%	21%
2019	51%	38%	27%
2018	53%	37%	22%
2017	59%	38%	28%
2016	67%	36%	27%
2015	71%	38%	29%
2014	86%	57%	45%
2013	88%	58%	47%
2012	98%	75%	65%
2011	98%	75%	65%

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60-64%

50%

Student : Teacher Ratio

13:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1992-2023)
Year	Chicago World Language Academy	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2023	15:1	14:1	15:1
2022	13:1	14:1	16:1
2020	15:1	15:1	18:1
2019	15:1	15:1	18:1
2018	19:1	16:1	20:1
2017	19:1	15:1	20:1
2016	17:1	16:1	19:1
2015	18:1	16:1	17:1
2014	17:1	16:1	18:1
2013	17:1	13:1	15:1
2012	18:1	16:1	18:1
2011	17:1	16:1	18:1
2010	17:1	16:1	18:1
2009	17:1	16:1	20:1
2008	14:1	18:1	20:1
2007	16:1	17:1	22:1
2006	15:1	16:1	17:1
2005	16:1	16:1	18:1
2004	19:1	17:1	20:1
2003	17:1	16:1	19:1
2002	18:1	16:1	19:1
2001	18:1	16:1	19:1
2000	19:1	16:1	18:1
1999	17:1	16:1	18:1
1998	17:1	17:1	18:1
1997	17:1	17:1	18:1
1996	18:1	17:1	18:1
1995	18:1	17:1	18:1
1994	18:1	18:1	18:1
1993	18:1	18:1	17:1
1992	31:1	17:1	18:1

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American Indian

n/a

Asian

18%

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Chicago World Language Academy	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2023	19%	6%	4%
2022	21%	5%	4%
2021	20%	5%	5%
2020	19%	5%	5%
2019	19%	5%	5%
2018	18%	5%	4%
2017	18%	5%	4%
2016	18%	5%	4%
2015	21%	6%	5%
2014	21%	5%	4%
2013	23%	5%	4%
2012	24%	4%	4%
2011	26%	5%	3%
2010	29%	5%	4%
2009	29%	5%	4%
2008	32%	5%	5%
2007	31%	5%	5%
2006	29%	5%	4%
2005	27%	5%	3%
2004	23%	4%	4%
2003	22%	4%	3%
2002	19%	4%	4%
2001	17%	4%	4%
2000	15%	3%	3%
1999	15%	3%	3%
1998	12%	3%	3%
1997	10%	3%	3%
1996	9%	3%	3%
1995	9%	3%	3%
1994	6%	3%	3%
1993	4%	3%	3%
1992	4%	3%	3%
1991	5%	3%	3%

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Hispanic

30%

28%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Chicago World Language Academy	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2023	32%	27%	44%
2022	33%	27%	44%
2021	33%	27%	44%
2020	32%	26%	44%
2019	32%	26%	44%
2018	32%	26%	45%
2017	32%	26%	45%
2016	32%	26%	44%
2015	30%	25%	41%
2014	28%	25%	46%
2013	27%	24%	46%
2012	25%	24%	44%
2011	26%	23%	44%
2010	21%	22%	42%
2009	20%	22%	41%
2008	18%	21%	40%
2007	19%	20%	39%
2006	23%	19%	39%
2005	23%	18%	38%
2004	24%	18%	37%
2003	24%	17%	37%
2002	26%	16%	36%
2001	27%	15%	35%
2000	27%	15%	35%
1999	28%	14%	35%
1998	30%	13%	34%
1997	30%	13%	33%
1996	30%	12%	32%
1995	29%	12%	31%
1994	31%	11%	31%
1993	33%	11%	30%
1992	35%	10%	29%
1991	36%	10%	28%

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Black

36%

16%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Chicago World Language Academy	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2023	32%	17%	41%
2022	26%	17%	41%
2021	27%	17%	41%
2020	30%	17%	41%
2019	30%	17%	41%
2018	31%	17%	41%
2017	31%	17%	41%
2016	30%	17%	42%
2015	29%	17%	38%
2014	26%	17%	40%
2013	23%	18%	40%
2012	23%	18%	42%
2011	20%	18%	43%
2010	19%	20%	45%
2009	19%	20%	47%
2008	18%	20%	47%
2007	20%	20%	48%
2006	20%	20%	49%
2005	21%	20%	50%
2004	23%	21%	50%
2003	25%	21%	51%
2002	26%	21%	51%
2001	27%	21%	52%
2000	29%	21%	52%
1999	28%	21%	53%
1998	28%	21%	54%
1997	28%	20%	54%
1996	30%	21%	54%
1995	29%	20%	55%
1994	32%	21%	55%
1993	32%	21%	56%
1992	29%	21%	57%
1991	29%	21%	58%

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White

10%

45%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Chicago World Language Academy	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2023	12%	45%	9%
2022	14%	47%	9%
2021	15%	47%	9%
2020	16%	48%	9%
2019	16%	48%	9%
2018	16%	49%	9%
2017	16%	49%	9%
2016	17%	49%	9%
2015	18%	49%	11%
2014	22%	50%	9%
2013	24%	50%	9%
2012	24%	51%	9%
2011	25%	51%	9%
2010	31%	53%	9%
2009	32%	53%	8%
2008	30%	54%	8%
2007	30%	55%	8%
2006	28%	56%	8%
2005	29%	57%	9%
2004	30%	57%	9%
2003	28%	58%	9%
2002	28%	59%	9%
2001	29%	60%	9%
2000	29%	61%	10%
1999	29%	62%	9%
1998	30%	63%	9%
1997	32%	64%	10%
1996	31%	64%	11%
1995	33%	65%	11%
1994	31%	65%	11%
1993	31%	65%	11%
1992	32%	66%	11%
1991	30%	66%	11%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Chicago World Language Academy	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2023	5%	4%	2%
2022	6%	4%	2%
2021	5%	4%	1%
2020	3%	4%	1%
2019	3%	4%	1%
2018	3%	3%	1%
2017	3%	3%	1%
2016	3%	3%	1%
2015	2%	3%	3%
2014	3%	3%	1%
2013	3%	3%	1%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.74

0.70

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Chicago World Language Academy	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2023	0.75	0.70	0.63
2022	0.76	0.68	0.63
2021	0.76	0.68	0.63
2020	0.75	0.68	0.63
2019	0.75	0.68	0.63
2018	0.75	0.67	0.62
2017	0.75	0.67	0.62
2016	0.75	0.67	0.62
2015	0.76	0.67	0.59
2014	0.77	0.66	0.63
2013	0.77	0.66	0.63
2012	0.78	0.65	0.63
2011	0.78	0.66	0.62
2010	0.75	0.64	0.62
2009	0.74	0.64	0.61
2008	0.77	0.64	0.61
2007	0.75	0.63	0.61
2006	0.76	0.61	0.60
2005	0.76	0.61	0.60
2004	0.75	0.60	0.61
2003	0.76	0.59	0.61
2002	0.76	0.59	0.60
2001	0.75	0.58	0.60
2000	0.74	0.57	0.61
1999	0.75	0.56	0.61
1998	0.74	0.56	0.60
1997	0.73	0.54	0.60
1996	0.72	0.53	0.60
1995	0.72	0.53	0.60
1994	0.71	0.52	0.60
1993	0.70	0.52	0.60
1992	0.70	0.52	0.59
1991	0.70	0.52	0.59

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Eligible for

52%

43%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2003-2023)
Year	Chicago World Language Academy	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2023	53%	43%	74%
2022	54%	43%	74%
2021	47%	44%	74%
2020	41%	47%	80%
2019	41%	47%	80%
2018	42%	46%	83%
2017	42%	46%	83%
2016	41%	47%	83%
2015	46%	52%	86%
2014	29%	47%	83%
2013	28%	45%	81%
2012	8%	21%	41%
2011	23%	39%	70%
2010	17%	37%	70%
2009	20%	33%	66%
2008	22%	32%	68%
2007	24%	32%	68%
2006	27%	32%	67%
2005	25%	32%	70%
2004	28%	31%	71%
2003	27%	30%	69%

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Eligible for (13-14)

10%

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2004-2014)
Year	Chicago World Language Academy	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2014	10%	3%	3%
2013	8%	5%	4%
2012	26%	27%	46%
2011	9%	5%	6%
2010	13%	6%	7%
2009	12%	6%	8%
2008	15%	6%	8%
2007	16%	6%	8%
2006	13%	6%	8%
2005	15%	5%	8%
2004	15%	5%	9%

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School Statewide Testing

View Education Department Test Scores

School District Name

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chicago World Language Academy's ranking?

Chicago World Language Academy is ranked #854 out of 3,426 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in Illinois.

What schools are Chicago World Language Academy often compared to?

Chicago World Language Academyis often viewed alongside schools like Skinner Elementary School, Galileo Elementary Math & Sci Schol Acd by visitors of our site.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

24% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 28% IL state average), while 51% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 30% IL state average).

How many students attend Chicago World Language Academy?

453 students attend Chicago World Language Academy.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

36% of Chicago World Language Academy students are Black, 30% of students are Hispanic, 18% of students are Asian, 10% of students are White, and 6% of students are Two or more races.

What is the student:teacher ratio of Chicago World Language Academy?

Chicago World Language Academy has a student ration of 13:1, which is equal to the Illinois state average of 13:1.

What grades does Chicago World Language Academy offer ?

Chicago World Language Academy offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-8

What school district is Chicago World Language Academy part of?

Chicago World Language Academy is part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District.

In what neighborhood is Chicago World Language Academy located?

Chicago World Language Academy is located in the Little Italy neighborhood of Chicago, IL. There are 4 other public schools located in Little Italy.

School Reviews

5 2/16/2023

My son had an outstanding foundation here with creme of the crop teachers. In First grade, he had Ms. Ragsdale,2nd Ms. Gil 3rd, and 4th Ms. Gray...Without a good foundation, a child will be lost as they continue to upper grades...The principal at the new school was Dr. Gunther who was great...I could go to the classroom at any time and observe...Plus it was very convenient because I live in the neighborhood.....It's a great school as I understand it until this day.....Excellent school...All the teachers were great...I recommend this school however if I didn't like it I would have transferred him...He was with the first group of children that went to the school when first built.......Thank You to all the teachers.

- Posted by Parent - Deborah Bulava

5 9/9/2017

great school

- Posted by Student/Alumni - 60623

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Quick Stats (2025)

Grades: Kindergarten-8
Enrollment: 453 students
Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Minority Enrollment: 90%
: Top 30%
: 24% (Top 50%)
: 51% (Top 20%)
: 60-64% (Top 30%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education