| Metric | Chicago Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 330,000 | 3,700 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 644 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $17,000/yr | $13,700/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 3/10 — Below Average | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Public Schools (this district) | 3/10 | 27th | 330,000 |
| Des Plaines Community Consolidated School District 62 | 8/10 | 72nd | 321,666 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 763 rated districts in IL → 27th percentile → 3/10.
Source: Illinois State Board of Education IAR, grades 3–8 ELA & Math Proficiency Rate, 2023–24 school year. Full methodology →
About Chicago Public Schools
Families in zip code 60602 (Chicago, Illinois) are assigned to Chicago Public Schools for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Funding and Resources
Chicago Public Schools spent $18,216 per student in the 2019–20 school year (U.S. Dept. of Education CCD finance data), 7% above Illinois’s statewide $17,000 estimate.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 644 schools serving grades Pre-K – 12th, Chicago Public Schools qualifies as a major metropolitan district serving students from Pre-K – 12th. The district enrolls approximately 330,000 students in total. Major metropolitan districts operate dozens to hundreds of schools across wide geographic areas. They often include magnet schools, gifted programs, dual-language academies, and career and technical education pathways not available in smaller systems. Within-district quality variation is significant: a school two miles from your address might be rated very differently from your assigned school.
Understanding the 3/10 Rating
With a rating of 3/10 (below average), Chicago Public Schools ranks among Illinois’s below-average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Illinois’ IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) grades 3–8 ELA & Math assessments (2023–24 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Illinois is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Chicago Public Schools carries a below-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates below typical Illinois benchmarks on state assessments. A below-average score reflects test performance relative to other districts — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture, and some of these districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 60602
Children in zip code 60602 are assigned to Chicago Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 60602, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Chicago Public Schools at (773)553-2747 or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Illinois districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Chicago
For families considering a purchase in the Chicago area, district assignment matters financially. Because Chicago Public Schools serves zip code 60602, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 60602. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Illinois, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Chicago Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 60602.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Chicago Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 60602 data.