At a glance
Reported students
308
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
22
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
14:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Illinois elementary enrollment
36th percentile
Compared with 2,323 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
411
Wells Preparatory Elem Academy: 308 reported students.
State peer staffing position
66th percentile
14:1 reported; state peer median 13.1:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 276
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Student–teacher ratio
- 11:1
What the reported data says about Wells Preparatory Elem Academy
Wells Preparatory Elem Academy is a public elementary school serving grades PK–08 in Chicago. It is one of 641 current school records connected to Chicago Public Schools District 299. NCES reports 308 students for 2024–25.
Among 2,323 elementary schools in Illinois with comparable records, this school is smaller than the reported median of 365 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 36th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 14:1, close to the Illinois median of 13.1:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Black (96.1%) and Hispanic or Latino (2.3%). English learners represent 0.7% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 13%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking Wells Preparatory Elem Academy
- 1How do the reported 14:1 student–teacher ratio and 22 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 0.7%
- Students with disabilities
- 13%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 82.8%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White0.6%
- Hispanic2.3%
- Black96.1%
- Asian0%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial1%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Not reported as offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Chicago Public Schools District 299
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Harriet Tubman Elem School
Elementary · Grades PK–08
308 reported students
OToole Elem School
Elementary · Grades PK–08
309 reported students
Irving Elem School
Elementary · Grades PK–08
310 reported students
Lowell Elem School
Elementary · Grades PK–08
311 reported students
Jackson M Elem School
Elementary · Grades PK–08
305 reported students
Bennett Elem School
Elementary · Grades PK–08
312 reported students
Public schools near Wells Preparatory Elem Academy
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| James R Doolittle Academy Elementary · Chicago Public Schools District 299 | PK–08 | 257 | 0.5 mi |
| Univ of Chicago Chtr-Donoghue Elementary · Charter · Chicago Public Schools District 299 | PK–05 | 499 | 0.6 mi |
| John J Pershing STEAM Magnet Elementary Elementary · Chicago Public Schools District 299 | PK–08 | 439 | 0.6 mi |
| Bronzeville Classical Elementary School Elementary · Chicago Public Schools District 299 | KG–08 | 458 | 0.6 mi |
| James Farmer Jr. Elementary Elementary · Chicago Public Schools District 299 | PK–08 | 321 | 0.7 mi |
| Mollison Elem School Elementary · Chicago Public Schools District 299 | PK–08 | 237 | 0.9 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Wells Preparatory Elem Academy
What grades does Wells Preparatory Elem Academy serve?
Wells Preparatory Elem Academy reports grades PK–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Chicago Public Schools District 299.
How many students attend Wells Preparatory Elem Academy?
Wells Preparatory Elem Academy reported 308 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 36th percentile among 2,323 Illinois elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 276 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Wells Preparatory Elem Academy?
The calculated ratio is 14:1, based on 308 students and 22 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Illinois median for the same school level is 13.1:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Wells Preparatory Elem Academy a public, charter, or magnet school?
Wells Preparatory Elem Academy is a public school and is not a charter school; it is also identified as a magnet school. Admission can involve an application or lottery, so check enrollment windows with the school.
What share of Wells Preparatory Elem Academy students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
82.8% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Wells Preparatory Elem Academy in?
Wells Preparatory Elem Academy is part of Chicago Public Schools District 299, based in Chicago, IL, which operates 641 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Wells Preparatory Elem Academy?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include James R Doolittle Academy (0.5 mi), Univ of Chicago Chtr-Donoghue (0.6 mi), John J Pershing STEAM Magnet Elementary (0.6 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.