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 100 students in grades 9-12, Yccs-youth Connection Leadership 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 ≤10% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 30%).
The student-teacher ratio of 25:1 is higher than the Illinois state level of 13:1.
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: 100 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 25:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Graduation Rate: 55-59% (Btm 50% in IL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤10% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: ≤10% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: ≤20% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
School Overview
Yccs-youth Connection Leadership's student population of 100 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 4 teachers has declined by 60% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
100 students
Total Classroom Teachers
4 teachers
Year Founded
1997
School Rankings
Yccs-youth Connection Leadership 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-youth Connection Leadership is 0.38, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#2966 out of 3542 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
50%
Student-Teacher Ratio
25:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
6%
Hispanic
24%
29%
Black
75%
16%
White
1%
45%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
n/a
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
55-59%
87%
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)100%
29.7%
Eligible for Free Lunch (19-20)
83%
47%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yccs-youth Connection Leadership's ranking?
Yccs-youth Connection Leadership is ranked #2966 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 ≤10% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 30% IL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Yccs-youth Connection Leadership?
The graduation rate of Yccs-youth Connection Leadership is 55-59%, which is lower than the Illinois state average of 87%.
How many students attend Yccs-youth Connection Leadership?
100 students attend Yccs-youth Connection Leadership.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
75% of Yccs-youth Connection Leadership students are Black, 24% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Yccs-youth Connection Leadership?
Yccs-youth Connection Leadership has a student ration of 25:1, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 13:1.
What grades does Yccs-youth Connection Leadership offer ?
Yccs-youth Connection Leadership offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Yccs-youth Connection Leadership part of?
Yccs-youth Connection Leadership is part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299.
In what neighborhood is Yccs-youth Connection Leadership located?
Yccs-youth Connection Leadership is located in the Douglas neighborhood of Chicago, IL. There are 8 other public schools located in Douglas.
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