Powell Elem Paideia Comm Academy

Located at 7511 S South Shore Dr, in Chicago, Illinois, Powell Elem Paideia Comm Academy is an average-sized elementary-level community that teaches 542 students (grades pre-K through 8), run under Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Compared to the state average of about 381 students per school, that is 42% above typical.

Powell Elem Paideia Comm Academy is one of 622 schools operated by Chicago Public Schools Dist 299, a district that instructs 324,396 students overall.

For racial and ethnic makeup, Powell Elem Paideia Comm Academy reports that 88% of students identify as Black, making the school strongly Black-majority. The remainder breaks down as 11% Hispanic. That is considerably more Black than the county at large, where the share is closer to 22%.

In terms of school funding signals, Staff filings list 45 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 12.2:1 students per teacher. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 13.9:1, putting Powell Elem Paideia Comm Academy tighter than the state norm the norm. About 89% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, often used as a Title I proxy. That share is higher than Cook County's rate of about 66%.

With demographic context factored in, Powell Elem Paideia Comm Academy tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 20.4% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 17.1%.

In the area at large, the surrounding county (Cook County) records that the typical household earns roughly $83,498 per year, about 43% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 10%. In all, Cook County runs 1406 public schools (combined enrollment of about 697,934 students), of which Powell Elem Paideia Comm Academy is one.

The closest other public school is Bradwell Comm Arts & Sci Elem Sch, roughly 0.4 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts Powell Elem Paideia Comm Academy at 7th of 9; the average score across the group is 21.5%.

Geographically, the school is in a city-core area.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count fell 8%: 586 students in 2018 compared to 542 in 2025. The Black share of enrollment decreased from 97% to 88% over that span. The student-to-teacher ratio narrowed from 22.7:1 in 2018 to 12.2:1 today.

Within the allk12 community for this school, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around enrollment questions, classroom assignments, and PTA news. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.