Mary E McDowell Elementary School
CPS choice · PK,K-5
At a glance
80% of teachers stayed from one year to the next - below what's typical for CPS elementary schools (ISBE Report Card 2026). In 2021–22, 22 applications were recorded for 10 offers (GoCPS, 2021–22 school year - the most recent seat data SchoolNav has).
- Cultural fit
- 23% of students were chronically absent in 2026 - about what's typical for CPS elementary schools (ISBE Report Card 2026).
- Academic performance
- Adjusted for low-income share, results sit in the middle 50% of CPS schools with published IAR results (adjusted view, disclosed method - ISBE Report Card 2026). The state's 2026 rating is Developing - the fourth of its five ratings (ISBE Report Card 2026).
- Social-emotional fit
- 62% of students with IEPs spend most of the school day in general classrooms - about what's typical for CPS elementary schools (ISBE Report Card 2026). There is 1 school counselor per 99 students.
Computed from published data with its source and year on every clause - a description, never a grade. How the adjusted view works
Basics
CPS-published · verified Nov 2024
- Address
- 1419 E 89TH ST
- Neighborhood
- Calumet Heights
- Phone
- (773)535-6404
- Hours
- Unknown - not verified yet
- Before and after care
Supplemental care not found.
SchoolNav searched the school’s website and the main care providers’ pages in Sep 2026 and found no before or after care. Some programs are never posted online, so ask the school office or on a tour.
- Arts and creative
Ballroom Dancing, Film and Video, Violin/Strings, Guitar, Choir/Chorus, Piano/Keyboard
From the school’s CPS profile, for the 2026-27 school year. Checked Sep 2026. Offerings change each year, so confirm on a tour.
- Sports
None listed. The school’s CPS profile and the other sources SchoolNav checked name none. Ask on a tour.
- Climate survey
- Unknown - no CPS school ID on record
5Essentials - the latest survey in detail
English Instruction, Academic Press, and Math Instruction are rated above the CPS average; Reflective Dialogue and Collaborative Practices are rated below it this year.
From the 2026 CPS 5Essentials survey (25-26). Scores are benchmarked 1–99 (not percentages) - higher is stronger, and each is shown against the CPS average that same year. This is a newer survey on a different benchmark than the component levels above, so the two aren’t directly comparable.
Show all measures ▸Hide measures ▾
Ambitious Instruction
87 ▲ above the CPS average (62)- Academic Press· students-reported77 ▲ above the CPS average (55)
- English Instruction· students-reported99 ▲ above the CPS average (67)
- Math Instruction· students-reported84 ▲ above the CPS average (62)
- Quality of Student Discussion· teachers-reportednot enough responses
Supportive Environment
67 ▲ above the CPS average (50)- Academic Personalism· students-reported72 ▲ above the CPS average (55)
- Peer Support for Academic Work· students-reported67 ▲ above the CPS average (58)
- Safety· students-reported59 ▲ above the CPS average (38)
- Student-Teacher Trust· students-reported69 ▲ above the CPS average (48)
Collaborative Teachers
68 ▲ above the CPS average (59)- Collaborative Practices· teachers-reported52 ▼ below the CPS average (61)
- Collective Responsibility· teachers-reported72 ▲ above the CPS average (56)
- Quality Professional Development· teachers-reported77 ▲ above the CPS average (69)
- School Commitment· teachers-reported63 ▲ above the CPS average (56)
- Teacher-Teacher Trust· teachers-reported76 ▲ above the CPS average (55)
Effective Leaders
66 ▲ above the CPS average (62)- Instructional Leadership· teachers-reported67 ▲ above the CPS average (63)
- Program Coherence· teachers-reported67 ▬ about the CPS average (67)
- Teacher Influence· teachers-reported70 ▬ about the CPS average (67)
- Teacher-Principal Trust· teachers-reported59 ▲ above the CPS average (51)
Involved Families
62 ▬ about the CPS average (62)- Parent Influence on Decision Making in Schools· teachers-reported70 ▬ about the CPS average (72)
- Parent Involvement in School· teachers-reported57 ▬ about the CPS average (57)
- Teacher-Parent Trust· teachers-reported58 ▬ about the CPS average (57)
Supplemental measures
Additional survey topics UChicago reports outside the five core measures.
- Academic Engagement· students-reported72 ▲ above the CPS average (63)
- Classroom Disruptions· teachers-reportednot enough responses
- Classroom Rigor· students-reported70 ▲ above the CPS average (55)
- Course Clarity· students-reportednot enough responses
- Emotional Health· students-reportednot enough responses
- Human & Social Resources in the Community· students-reportednot enough responses
- Innovation· teachers-reported79 ▲ above the CPS average (65)
- Inquiry-Based Science Instruction· students-reportednot enough responses
- Parent Supportiveness· students-reportednot enough responses
- Reflective Dialogue· teachers-reported43 ▼ below the CPS average (60)
- Rigorous Study Habits· students-reported65 ▲ above the CPS average (52)
- School Connectedness· students-reported59 ▲ above the CPS average (47)
- School Safety· students-reportednot enough responses
- Socialization of New Teachers· teachers-reported58 ▲ above the CPS average (46)
- Student Peer Relationships· students-reported53 ▬ about the CPS average (56)
- Student Responsibility· teachers-reportednot enough responses
- Teacher Safety· teachers-reported79 ▲ above the CPS average (68)
UChicago Consortium — the 2026 cycle (school year 25-26) is re-benchmarked to spring 2024 (SY25+); it is NOT level-comparable to the spring-2013-benchmarked component levels shown elsewhere.
Pre-K
CPS-published· verified Sep 2026This school has Pre-K. Families apply for Pre-K through Chicago Early Learning, not GoCPS.
Full-day Pre-K · for children age 4
Seats: full, with a waitlist, as of Sep 24, 2026.
- Quality rating
- ExceleRate Gold Circle of Quality
Apply through Chicago Early Learning · How Pre-K applications work
Programs (1)
| Program | Entry grades | How seats are offered | Test required | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Open Enrollment (general program, seats by lottery) Open enrollment | K–5 | Lottery | No | CPS-published · verified Oct 2026 |
Local School Council
CPS-published· verified Oct 2026The Local School Council is a group of parents, staff, and neighbors who help run this school. They vote on the budget and the school plan. Their meetings are open to the public, so you can go and listen.
Next meetings
- Monday, November 2, 2026 at 9:00 AM
- Tuesday, February 23, 2027 at 9:00 AM
- Wednesday, June 2, 2027 at 9:00 AM
CPS lists the date and time. Ask the school office where the meeting will be held.
Members for 2026 to 2028
- Alexis Johnson · Parent
- Tiffany Morrison · Parent
- Tunisha Coleman · Parent
- Crystal Hobbs · Parent
- Richard Wilson · Parent
- Trizonna McClendon · Community member
- lori shaffer · Community member
- Jaida E Belt · Teacher
- Thomas Walker · Teacher
- keenan phillips-riley · School staff (non-teaching)
CPS keeps the official list of council meetings and members. See the CPS council list.
Parent questions & conversation
What parents and people who know this school are asking, answering, and talking about - their own words, experiences and opinions rather than verified facts.
Parent notes on this school are visible to signed-in Chicago families. Sign in to read and ask.
SchoolNav is not affiliated with CPS. Details change - each fact above shows when it was last verified. Application decisions should always be confirmed in GoCPS.