Acero Chtr - Esmera Santiago Cmps

Located at 2510 W Cortez St, in Chicago, Illinois, Acero Chtr - Esmera Santiago Cmps is a low-enrollment primary school that educates 224 students (grades K through 8), run under Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Compared to the state average of about 381 students per school, that is 41% leaner than typical.

Across the 622 schools in Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 (324,396 students total), Acero Chtr - Esmera Santiago Cmps accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

On demographics, Acero Chtr - Esmera Santiago Cmps reports that the student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic (89%). Other groups include 8% Black. That is noticeably more Hispanic than the county at large, where the share is closer to 27%.

On the resource side, The school reports having 18 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 12.4:1. The state averages around 13.9:1, so this campus is tighter than the state norm typical. Around 89% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a number frequently used as a low-income enrollment indicator. By comparison, Cook County runs at roughly 66%, so the school's eligibility rate is meaningfully above the surrounding baseline.

After controlling for student poverty, Acero Chtr - Esmera Santiago Cmps tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 20.2% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 28.0%.

In the area at large, census data for Cook County shows median household earnings sit near $83,498, about 43% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 10%. Across Cook County's 1406 public schools (combined enrollment of about 697,934 students), Acero Chtr - Esmera Santiago Cmps is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is Chopin Elem School, roughly 0.2 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts Acero Chtr - Esmera Santiago Cmps at 3rd of 9; the average score across the group is 17.0%.

Acero Chtr - Esmera Santiago Cmps operates from an urban location. Acero Chtr - Esmera Santiago Cmps is a charter school, which puts it inside the public-school system but outside the standard district-managed model.

Trend over the last 7 years. Acero Chtr - Esmera Santiago Cmps's enrollment has contracted 21% since 2018, when it stood at 283 (now 224). The Hispanic share of enrollment decreased from 95% to 89% over that span. Class-load math has pulled in: from 15.7:1 in 2018 to 12.4:1 in 2025.

On this page, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.