Turner Drew Elementary Language Academy: What Sets It Apart
What Is Turner Drew Elementary Language Academy?
Turner Drew Elementary Language Academy is a public magnet elementary school in Chicago's Roseland neighborhood, serving grades K-8 with a dual-language immersion focus at 9300 S Princeton Ave, Chicago, IL 60620. The school enrolls approximately 193 students with a 12:1 student-teacher ratio and operates within Chicago Public Schools District 299 under Principal Latice Nicholson.
School Profile at a Glance
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Turner-Drew Elem Language Academy |
| Grades Served | Kindergarten-8 |
| Enrollment | 193 students |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 12:1 (national average: 16:1) |
| Math Proficiency | 18% proficient (IL 2023-24 IAR) |
| Reading Proficiency | 31% proficient (IL 2023-24 IAR) |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 98% eligible |
| Diversity | 98.4% African American, 1.6% Hispanic |
| Niche Grade | C+ overall, B- academics, B+ teachers |
Academic Program and Language Immersion Model
The school operates as a dual-language magnet program emphasizing bilingual literacy development through structured immersion instruction in English and a partner language. This pedagogical approach aligns with research showing that sustained language immersion supports cognitive flexibility and cross-cultural competence in elementary learners.
Academics at Turner Drew reflect the challenges of high-poverty urban schooling: only 18% of students achieve math proficiency and 31% reach reading proficiency on state assessments, placing the school in the bottom 50% of Illinois schools for overall test scores. Despite these metrics, the school earns a B+ rating for teachers, suggesting strong educator quality relative to academic outcomes.
Community Context and Demographics
Located in Chicago's Roseland neighborhood, the school serves a community with median household income of $58,100-significantly below the national median of $80,734. The student body is overwhelmingly African American (98.4%), with 98% of students eligible for free lunch, indicating concentrated economic disadvantage.
Enrollment and Enrollment Process
Leadership and Governance
Principal Latice Nicholson leads daily operations, reporting to CPS CEO Dr. Jaqueline King. The school employs approximately 16-18 teachers with an average salary of $74,254, and only 6.7% of staff are in their first or second year, indicating experienced faculty.
Challenges and Opportunities for Improvement
The school faces the bigger question of how to close achievement gaps while maintaining program integrity in dual-language instruction. With 98% of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, targeted interventions in math and reading proficiency remain critical priorities for school leadership.
Strengths include experienced teachers, favorable student-teacher ratios, and a clear language immersion mission. Areas requiring investment include curriculum acceleration in mathematics, expanded literacy supports, and community partnership development to address poverty-related barriers to learning.
Expert answers to Turner Drew Elementary Language Academy What Sets It Apart queries
How do I contact Turner Drew Elementary Language Academy?
Contact the school at 9300 S Princeton Ave, Chicago, IL 60620, phone 773-535-5720, or visit http://www.cps.edu for official CPS resources.
What grades does Turner Drew Elementary serve?
The school serves grades Kindergarten through 8th grade (K-8), providing continuous elementary and middle school education.
Is Turner Drew a magnet school?
Yes, Turner Drew Elementary Language Academy is a public magnet school specializing in dual-language immersion, requiring application through CPS's magnet selection process.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Turner Drew?
The school maintains a 12:1 student-teacher ratio, better than the national average of 16:1, with approximately 16 teachers serving 193 students.
How does Turner Drew compare to other Chicago elementary schools?
Turner Drew ranks in the bottom 50% of Illinois schools for test scores but earns a B+ teacher rating; comparable magnet schools include Hawthorne Scholastic Academy (Grade A) and Decatur Classical School (Grade A).
