Murray Elem Language Academy

Located at 5335 S Kenwood Ave, in Chicago, Illinois, Murray Elem Language Academy is a mid-tier K-5 school that educates 477 students (grades K through 8), part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Enrollment runs roughly 25% above the state mean of about 381.

Murray Elem Language Academy is one of 622 schools operated by Chicago Public Schools Dist 299, a district that enrolls 324,396 students overall.

For racial and ethnic makeup, Murray Elem Language Academy shows that 89% of students identify as Black, making the school strongly Black-majority; the rest is composed of 5% Hispanic, 4% multiracial, 2% White. That is visibly more Black than the county at large, where the share is closer to 22%.

Looking at school resources, On paper, Murray Elem Language Academy has 32 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 15.1:1. The state averages around 13.9:1, so this campus is higher than the state norm typical. Around 61% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a number frequently used as a low-income enrollment indicator.

With demographic context factored in, Murray Elem Language Academy tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 36.5% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 32.1%.

Across the wider county, the surrounding county (Cook County) reports that median household earnings sit near $83,498, 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and roughly 10% of residents live below the federal poverty line. Across Cook County's 1406 public schools (combined enrollment of about 697,934 students), Murray Elem Language Academy is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is Kenwood Academy High School, roughly 0.4 miles away. Counting just inside five miles, 8 other public schools cluster around Murray Elem Language Academy. Among the 8 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), Murray Elem Language Academy ranks 3rd on composite proficiency, ahead of the local average of 30.1%.

The campus sits in a city-core setting.

Trend over the last 7 years. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Murray Elem Language Academy has edged down 7%, going from 513 students in 2018 to 477 in 2025. The student-to-teacher ratio tightened from 17.7:1 in 2018 to 15.1:1 today.

Inside the community feed, 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.