Best Lower West Side Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 4,959 students in the neighborhood of Lower West Side, Chicago, IL.
The top-ranked public schools in Lower West Side are Orozco Elementary Fine Arts & Sciences, Pickard Elementary School and Joseph Jungman Magnet Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
The neighborhood of Lower West Side, Chicago, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 11% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 15% (versus the 30% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in the neighborhood of Lower West Side, Chicago, IL (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Orozco Elementary Fine Arts & Sciences
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1940 W 18th St
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 534-7215
Gr: PK-8 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #22.
Pickard Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2301 W 21st Pl
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 535-7280
Gr: PK-8 | 319 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #33.
Joseph Jungman Magnet Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1746 S Miller St
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 534-7375
Gr: PK-8 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #44.
Perez Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1241 W 19th St
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 534-7650
Gr: PK-8 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #55.
Ruiz Elementary School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2410 S Leavitt St
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 535-4825
Gr: PK-8 | 467 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #66.
Walsh Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2015 S Peoria St
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 534-7950
Gr: PK-8 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #77.
Cooper Elementary Dual Language Academy
(Math: 8% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1624 W 19th St
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 534-7205
Gr: PK-8 | 428 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #88.
Acero Chtr - Bartolome De Las
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1641 W 16th St
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 432-3224
Gr: K-8 | 225 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #99.
Pilsen Elementary Community Academy
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1420 W 17th St
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 534-7675
Gr: PK-8 | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1010.
Whittier Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1900 W 23rd St
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 535-4590
Gr: PK-8 | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1111.
Juarez Community Academy High School
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 4%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1450 W Cermak Rd
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 534-7030
Gr: 9-12 | 1,585 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in the neighborhood of Lower West Side, Chicago, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in the neighborhood of Lower West Side, Chicago, IL include Orozco Elementary Fine Arts & Sciences, Pickard Elementary School and Joseph Jungman Magnet Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in the neighborhood of Lower West Side, Chicago?
11 public schools are located in the neighborhood of Lower West Side, Chicago.
What is the racial composition of students in the neighborhood of Lower West Side, Chicago?
the neighborhood of Lower West Side, Chicago public schools minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

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