Youth Connection Charter School is a charter school in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1997 it is the only charter school in Illinois that targets dropouts and other at-risk students. YCCS serves over 3,500 students through 17 campuses throughout Chicago.
Serving 122 students in grades 9-12, Yccs-progressive Leadership Academy ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Illinois for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤10% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 27%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≤5% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 30%).
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Illinois state average of 55% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Charter School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 122 students
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Graduation Rate: 60-64% (Btm 50% in IL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤10% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: <50% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
School Overview
Yccs-progressive Leadership Academy's student population of 122 students has declined by 20% over five school years.
The teacher population of 2 teachers has declined by 33% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
122 students
Total Classroom Teachers
2 teachers
Year Founded
1997
School Rankings
Yccs-progressive Leadership Academy ranks within the bottom 50% of all 3,542 schools in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Yccs-progressive Leadership Academy is 0.02, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.69. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#3156 out of 3542 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
<50%
50%
Student-Teacher Ratio
n/a
13:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
6%
Hispanic
n/a
29%
Black
99%
16%
White
1%
45%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
n/a
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
60-64%
87%
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)100%
29.7%
Eligible for Free Lunch (19-20)
80%
47%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yccs-progressive Leadership Academy's ranking?
Yccs-progressive Leadership Academy is ranked #3156 out of 3,542 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Illinois.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤10% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 27% IL state average), while ≤5% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 30% IL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Yccs-progressive Leadership Academy?
The graduation rate of Yccs-progressive Leadership Academy is 60-64%, which is lower than the Illinois state average of 87%.
How many students attend Yccs-progressive Leadership Academy?
122 students attend Yccs-progressive Leadership Academy.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
99% of Yccs-progressive Leadership Academy students are Black, and 1% of students are White.
What grades does Yccs-progressive Leadership Academy offer ?
Yccs-progressive Leadership Academy offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Yccs-progressive Leadership Academy part of?
Yccs-progressive Leadership Academy is part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299.
In what neighborhood is Yccs-progressive Leadership Academy located?
Yccs-progressive Leadership Academy is located in the Eden Green neighborhood of Chicago, IL. There are 1 other public schools located in Eden Green.
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