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Cather Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-8

1602^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,056 Illinois Elementary Schools

Better than 22% of Illinois elementary schools

Summary

Cather Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK-8 in Chicago, Illinois, with 325 students. The school is part of the Chicago Public Schools District 299, which is ranked 698 out of 811 districts in Illinois and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. Cather Elementary has consistently ranked in the bottom 20% of Illinois elementary schools over the past decade, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger for most years.

Cather Elementary consistently underperforms compared to the district and state on standardized tests, with only 26.2% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 16.1% proficient in math, compared to 42.8% and 27.3% for the district, respectively. The school also struggles to serve certain student subgroups effectively, ranking in the bottom 40% of Illinois elementary schools for female students, male students, special education students, and low socioeconomic status students in both subjects. Additionally, Cather Elementary has very high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 25.4% to 40.8% over the past few years, significantly higher than the district and state averages.

When comparing Cather Elementary to nearby schools in the same district, it becomes clear that the school is one of the lower-performing schools in the area. Schools like LEARN Charter Excel Campus, LEARN Charter - 7th Campus, and Locke A Elementary Charter Academy significantly outperform Cather Elementary on academic measures, despite serving similar student populations. While Cather Elementary has struggled for many years, the data suggests that there is potential for improvement, and addressing the underlying issues, such as student engagement, teacher quality, or school climate, could lead to better outcomes for the students.

321

Students ?

10.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$26,766

Per pupil spending ?

97.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2908 W Washington Blvd
Chicago, IL 60612-1934

(773) 534-6780

District: Chicago Public Schools District 299

Students who attend Cather Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Marshall Metropolitan High School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

90.3%

Hispanic:

8.1%

White:

0.9%

See top rated Illinois elementary schools

Compare Cather Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 1st percentile in 2023 → 22nd in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 22nd (2025) from a 1st-percentile low (2023)

✓Small classes — about 10 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Illinois average (14% vs 44% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (22nd percentile)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school14%

District avg33%

Illinois avg44%

Elementary school

1,602^nd of 2,056

Illinois public elementary schools ?

Bottom 22%▲ up 4 pts since 2015

From bottom 18% (2015) to bottom 22% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Illinois Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

1,199^th of 1,368

Illinois public middle schools ?

Bottom 12%▲ up 9 pts since 2015

From bottom 3% (2015) to bottom 12% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Illinois Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

228^th of 451Elementary Schools in the Chicago Public Schools District 299

698^th of 811Chicago Public Schools District 299 among Illinois districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	22.6	1602 of 2056	22.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	15.6	1823 of 2067	11.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	9.7	2049 of 2077	1.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	13.6	1930 of 2082	7.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	14.9	1879 of 2086	9.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	14.6	1836 of 2037	9.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	12.6	1883 of 2044	7.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	18.8	1727 of 2046	15.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	21.2	1680 of 2052	18.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	36.4	1394 of 2093	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
2013	47.5	1209 of 2167	44.2%	★★☆☆☆
2012	43.2	1441 of 2166	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2011	54.6	1174 of 2147	45.3%	★★☆☆☆
2010	28.9	1669 of 2139	22.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	16.5	1851 of 2120	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	6.1	1984 of 2092	5.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	7.4	1951 of 2095	6.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	1.6	2049 of 2086	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	3.3	1917 of 2022	5.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2004	0.9	2012 of 2030	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2003	1.1	2011 of 2020	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	47.6	306 of 688	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	36.4	409 of 655	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	22.7	629 of 692	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	32.1	470 of 684	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	36.1	439 of 711	38.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	37.3	407 of 698	41.7%	★★☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	18.4	978 of 1049	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	22.9	775 of 886	12.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	17.5	1643 of 1942	15.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	13.5	1816 of 1942	6.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	10.4	1918 of 1957	2.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	15.7	1748 of 1970	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	15.6	1805 of 2019	10.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	13.1	1820 of 1964	7.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	63.4	15 of 44	65.9%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	33.3	1261 of 1800	29.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	23.9	1481 of 1793	17.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	13.2	1779 of 1808	1.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	20.0	1580 of 1763	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	22.8	1575 of 1816	13.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	22.6	1514 of 1765	14.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	29.0	1362 of 1947	30.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	12.6	1860 of 1959	5.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	10.8	1932 of 1984	2.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	12.6	1889 of 1977	4.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	17.0	1766 of 2019	12.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	19.0	1674 of 1972	15.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	17.8	1137 of 1292	12.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	18.9	1100 of 1195	7.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	17.0	1125 of 1156	2.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	23.9	966 of 1113	13.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	16.0	1199 of 1368	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	16.0	1199 of 1363	12.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	11.1	1319 of 1367	3.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	15.1	1245 of 1369	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	12.7	1174 of 1241	5.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	8.6	1331 of 1356	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	9.0	1266 of 1293	2.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	9.1	1260 of 1293	2.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	11.1	1241 of 1294	4.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	9.8	1264 of 1302	2.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	23.4	1065 of 1322	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	54.7	632 of 1367	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2012	57.0	661 of 1365	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2011	55.2	705 of 1344	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2010	35.5	973 of 1327	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	23.2	1075 of 1318	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	8.2	1193 of 1293	7.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	8.4	1184 of 1287	8.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	2.2	1250 of 1272	1.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	2.0	1197 of 1209	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2004	3.0	1183 of 1204	1.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2003	5.2	1129 of 1185	4.7%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	38.2	339 of 574	40.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	36.3	343 of 548	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	24.6	497 of 569	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	33.0	385 of 573	32.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	29.5	297 of 385	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	19.1	539 of 565	4.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	22.5	452 of 511	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2024	31.1	450 of 639	29.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	15.5	1083 of 1248	13.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	18.8	1036 of 1251	17.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	10.9	1228 of 1275	3.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	15.2	1153 of 1286	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	6.8	1266 of 1276	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	6.3	1221 of 1226	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	23.3	1002 of 1229	18.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	23.3	993 of 1219	18.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	14.6	1181 of 1234	4.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	22.2	1055 of 1221	13.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	18.6	940 of 1019	7.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	10.4	1194 of 1217	1.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	12.4	1126 of 1161	3.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	19.5	1044 of 1271	17.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	14.2	1174 of 1264	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	12.6	1225 of 1292	5.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	16.4	1146 of 1286	10.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	13.9	1192 of 1296	8.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	14.2	1115 of 1223	8.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2024	22.1	695 of 802	13.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	27.3	635 of 781	18.7%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Homeless (2025)66th percentile+44 vs school

African American (2025)56th percentile+33 vs school

Male (2025)30th percentile+8 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)30th percentile+8 vs school

Female (2025)15th percentile-7 vs school

Special Education (2025)12th percentile-10 vs school

Disabled (2025)7th percentile-15 vs school

Middle school

African American (2025)41st percentile+29 vs school

Disabled (2024)30th percentile+18 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)18th percentile+6 vs school

Male (2025)18th percentile+6 vs school

Special Education (2024)13th percentile~ school

Female (2025)13th percentile~ school

By subject vs Illinois (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts26%-27 vs state

Mathematics16%-22 vs state

Science6%-37 vs state

★

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Schools Near Cather Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				ISA Science (2025)		IAR English Language Arts (2025)							IAR Mathematics (2025)							% Polio (2024)	% Measles (2024)	% Mumps (2024)	% Rubella (2024)	% Hepatitis B (2024)	% Varicella (2024)	% DTP (2024)	% Pneumococcal (2024)	% Meningococcal (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISA Science 5th Grade	ISA Science 8th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 3rd Grade	IAR English Language Arts 4th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 5th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 6th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 7th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 8th Grade	IAR English Language Arts All Grades	IAR Mathematics 3rd Grade	IAR Mathematics 4th Grade	IAR Mathematics 5th Grade	IAR Mathematics 6th Grade	IAR Mathematics 7th Grade	IAR Mathematics 8th Grade	IAR Mathematics All Grades	% Polio All Grades	% Measles All Grades	% Mumps All Grades	% Rubella All Grades	% Hepatitis B All Grades	% Varicella All Grades	% DTP All Grades	% Pneumococcal All Grades	% Meningococcal All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Cather Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	2908 W Washington Blvd	Chicago	60612	Cook County	Chicago Public Schools District 299	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(773) 534-6780	321	32	10.0	97.2%	3 (0.9%)	290 (90.3%)	26 (8.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.6%)	22.6	1602^nd of 2056 public elementary schools	22.1%		15.6	1823^rd of 2067 public elementary schools	11.8%	221	0.0	12.9	34.6	24.0	22.6	42.3	18.2	19.4	26.2	57.7	19.2	0.0	7.7	2.9	16.1	16.1	83.1	87.4	87.4	87.4	92.6	86.5	84.0	7.7	20.9	$26,766	$3,124	$23,642
LEARN Charter Excel Campus	Public, Charter	K-6	3021 W Carroll Ave	Chicago	60612	Cook County	Chicago Public Schools District 299	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(312) 243-7001	379	27	14.0	93.4%	0 (0.0%)	370 (97.6%)	8 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	51.2	982^nd of 2056 public elementary schools	52.2%		51.8	894^th of 2067 public elementary schools	56.7%	88	16.3		49.0	35.8	53.1	69.8			52.8	56.9	47.2	32.7	27.0			40.3										$19,061	$4,061	$15,000
LEARN Charter - 7th Campus	Public, Charter	K-5	3021 W Carroll Ave	Chicago	60612	Cook County	Chicago Public Schools District 299	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(773) 584-4300	144	12	12.0	88.2%	0 (0.0%)	140 (97.2%)	3 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18.7	1698^th of 2056 public elementary schools	17.4%		27.5	1474^th of 2067 public elementary schools	28.7%	224	12.5		31.8	16.7	25.0				24.3	27.3	16.7	26.1				23.2										$30,399	$10,271	$20,128
Beidler Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	3151 W Walnut St	Chicago	60612	Cook County	Chicago Public Schools District 299	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(773) 534-6811	232	19	12.2	84.1%	1 (0.4%)	200 (86.2%)	31 (13.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7.4	2017^th of 2056 public elementary schools	1.9%		17	1770^th of 2067 public elementary schools	14.4%	247	12.5	17.4	8.7	19.2	20.0	21.4	29.2	48.0	24.5	0.0	3.8	0.0	0.0	25.0	16.0	7.3	85.4	91.7	91.7	91.7	94.9	91.7	87.4	7.5	19.4	$26,560	$4,594	$21,966
LEARN Charter-Campbell Campus	Public, Charter	K-6	212 S Francisco Ave	Chicago	60612	Cook County	Chicago Public Schools District 299	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(773) 826-0370	357	23	15.5	94.7%	1 (0.3%)	339 (95.0%)	15 (4.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	40.1	1210^th of 2056 public elementary schools	41.1%		40.2	1149^th of 2067 public elementary schools	44.4%	61	19.1		35.4	35.1	51.1	52.8			43.5	53.1	27.0	19.1	35.1			34.1										$20,071	$4,340	$15,731
Faraday Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	3250 W Monroe St	Chicago	60624	Cook County	Chicago Public Schools District 299	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(773) 534-6670	178	20	8.9	98.3%	1 (0.6%)	159 (89.3%)	17 (9.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	18	1719^th of 2056 public elementary schools	16.4%		22.5	1608^th of 2067 public elementary schools	22.2%	111	23.1	7.1	14.3	23.5	30.8	42.1	30.8	21.4	27.8	21.4	5.9	0.0	21.1	7.7	21.4	13.3	82.9	94.5	93.9	95.1	97.0	95.1	88.4	6.7	23.2	$31,014	$4,652	$26,362
Morton Elementary Career Academy	Public	PK, KG-8	431 N Troy St	Chicago	60612	Cook County	Chicago Public Schools District 299	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(773) 534-6791	268	31	8.6	75.7%	35 (13.1%)	159 (59.3%)	68 (25.4%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.9%)	28.3	1473^rd of 2056 public elementary schools	28.4%		15	1851^st of 2067 public elementary schools	10.4%	378		15.4	40.7	13.3		38.9	26.1	38.5	32.2	51.9	20.0		5.6	0.0	8.0	17.9	88.0	92.6	92.6	92.6	96.3	92.1	89.8		20.4	$25,095	$3,384	$21,710
Locke A Elementary Charter Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	3141 W Jackson Blvd	Chicago	60612	Cook County	Chicago Public Schools District 299	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(773) 265-7232	346	24	14.4	87.0%	0 (0.0%)	342 (98.8%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	51.6	972^nd of 2056 public elementary schools	52.7%		40.3	1145^th of 2067 public elementary schools	44.6%	173	11.1	3.2	52.6	48.8	55.6	58.6	74.1	77.4	60.1	57.9	51.2	18.5	31.0	33.3	12.9	36.3										$25,374	$1,124	$24,250
Jensen Elementary Scholastic Academy	Public	PK, KG-8	3030 W Harrison St	Chicago	60612	Cook County	Chicago Public Schools District 299	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(773) 534-6840	255	23	11.0	94.5%	1 (0.4%)	242 (94.9%)	10 (3.9%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19.8	1674^th of 2056 public elementary schools	18.6%		22.2	1616^th of 2067 public elementary schools	21.8%	58	9.7	16.7	30.0	25.0	22.6	52.6	45.2	41.7	36.0	15.0	16.7	9.7	15.8	6.5	13.9	12.4	91.1	91.5	91.5	91.5	98.0	91.1	89.9		28.7	$25,366	$3,081	$22,285
Polaris Elementary Charter Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	620 N Sawyer Ave	Chicago	60624	Cook County	Chicago Public Schools District 299	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(773) 534-0820	343	15	22.8	71.1%	4 (1.2%)	304 (88.6%)	35 (10.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8.7	1981^st of 2056 public elementary schools	3.6%		11.6	1989^th of 2067 public elementary schools	3.8%	8	8.7	15.6	19.5	7.7	8.7	30.0	32.4	40.6	24.2	7.3	7.7	4.3	3.3	5.9	6.3	5.9										$22,726	$873	$21,853

Frequently Asked Questions about Cather Elementary School

How many students attend Cather Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 321 students attended Cather Elementary School.

What district is Cather Elementary School in?

Chicago Public Schools District 299

Is Cather Elementary School a good school?

Cather Elementary School ranks in the bottom 22.1% of Illinois elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Cather Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Cather Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Marshall Metropolitan High School

What is the racial makeup of Cather Elementary School?

Students at Cather Elementary School are 90% African American, 8% Hispanic.

Rate Cather Elementary School!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.