At a glance
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| School type | CPS whole-school selective-enrollment Classical school |
| Grades | K–8, generally two classrooms per grade |
| Address / phone | 640 W Scott St, Chicago, IL 60610 / 773-534-8500 |
| Hours | 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; paid care 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. |
| Assigned by residence? | No attendance boundary and no neighborhood guarantee |
| Admission | GoCPS application, Classical test, then rank/tier selection |
| Washington rank | Not applicable; this is an Illinois school |
Summary
Skinner North is the most selective kindergarten option in this group and offers a continuous K–8 accelerated program. CPS's previous-cycle data show 1,019 K applicants and 53 offers, about 5.2%. It is therefore a reach option, not a housing strategy: living nearby does not provide a seat.
Enrollment, academics and diversity
| Measure | Value | Source/year |
|---|---|---|
| Total / kindergarten enrollment | 515 / 56 | NCES 2024–25 |
| Classroom teachers / ratio | 30.25 FTE / 17.02:1 | NCES 2024–25; not class size |
| Diversity index | 0.64 | Calculated from NCES race/ethnicity counts |
| Supplied math / reading snapshot | 96% / 97% | User-provided third-party values; year/method not verified |
Illinois IAR and Washington SBAC results are not directly comparable. Before a decision, replace the supplied percentages with the exact 2026 Illinois Report Card school results; 2026 preliminary IAR reporting had only recently completed when this profile was researched.
Kindergarten, program and admission
- Classical programs teach literature, mathematics, language arts and humanities one to two years above grade level; the school describes rigorous differentiated instruction and attention to the whole child.
- K–3 math uses Amplify Math/Desmos with warm-up, mini-lesson, centers and closing; science is inquiry-based and uses NGSS/CPS frameworks.
- Facilities include a library, learning garden, auditorium, cooking kitchen, gym and climbing wall. Current enrichment includes LEGO, art, STEM, robotics, chess, math team, debate and homework help.
- Kindergarten has no GPA threshold but requires the Classical test. CPS lists rank and tier as selection priorities. Later-grade seats are much scarcer: the previous cycle showed 384 grade 1–4 applicants for one offer.
- 2024–25 fees were $150 materials plus $75 field-trip prepayment, with waivers; confirm 2027–28 fees and before/after-care cost.
Fit considerations
Possible strengths: stable K–8 peer community, true acceleration, extensive facilities and enrichment. Main concerns: roughly 5% K offer rate, testing pressure, acceleration fit, relocation to Chicago and no guaranteed backup seat. Next action: treat as a reach alongside a guaranteed neighborhood school.
Sources
- CPS Skinner North overview — accessed 2026-09-10
- CPS admissions and prior-cycle counts — accessed 2026-09-10
- Skinner North academics — accessed 2026-09-10
- Skinner North hours — accessed 2026-09-10
- NCES profile — 2024–25 data, accessed 2026-09-10
- ISBE Report Card data library — accessed 2026-09-10
Change log
- 2026-09-10: Clarified that the Washington ranking does not apply to this Illinois school.
- 2026-09-10: Initial profile created.