Wells Community Academy High School (Ranked Bottom 50% for 2026)

936 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

William H. Wells Community Academy High School is public four-year high school located in the West Town neighborhood on the Near Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Wells is a part of the Chicago Public Schools system. Wells serves grades 9 through 12.

Serving 380 students in grades 9-12, Wells Community Academy High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Illinois for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).

The percentage of students achieving is ≤5% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 27%). The percentage of students achieving is ≤5% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 30%).

The student-teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the Illinois state level of 13:1.

Minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Illinois state average of 55% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 380 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Minority Enrollment: 85%
: 65-69% (Btm 50% in IL)
: Bottom 50%
: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

<�鶹��ý class="so-dt-title" id="top-rankings">Top Rankings

Wells Community Academy High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:

Category

Attribute

Diversity

Most diverse schools (Top 20%)

Percent Eligible For Free Lunch

Largest percent of students eligible for free lunch (Top 20%)

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="overview">School Overview

Wells Community Academy High School's student population of 380 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

The teacher population of 32 teachers has grown by 28% over five school years.

Grades Offered

Grades 9-12

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Wells Community Academy High School
9	107
10	84
11	96
12	93

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Total Students

380 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Wells Community Academy High School
2023	353
2022	371
2021	373
2020	358
2019	358
2018	377
2017	377
2016	454
2015	536
2014	590
2013	593
2012	628
2011	659
2010	671
2009	830
2008	919
2007	1,076
2006	1,112
2005	1,162
2004	1,120
2003	1,085
2002	1,196
2001	1,186
2000	1,257
1999	1,332
1998	1,385
1997	1,557
1996	1,681
1995	1,724
1994	1,692
1993	1,762
1992	1,733
1991	1,785
1990	1,753
1989	1,772
1988	1,801
1987	1,737

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

32 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	Wells Community Academy High School
2023	30
2022	32
2020	31
2019	31
2018	25
2017	25
2016	35
2015	39
2014	45
2013	58
2012	49
2011	44
2010	45
2009	57
2008	59
2007	55
2006	88
2005	84
2004	76
2003	81
2002	88
2001	98
2000	91
1999	90
1998	91
1997	102
1996	96
1995	97
1994	92
1993	101
1992	100
1991	99
1990	95

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Year Founded

1935

Colors

Royal blue, Silver

Last Day of School

Sat. May 30, 2026

Campus Size

10 acres

School Motto

Encouraging Every Student to Achieve Their Highest Academic Standard

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="school-rankings">School Rankings

Wells Community Academy High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 3,542 schools in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Wells Community Academy High School is 0.65, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.69. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (IL)

#3352 out of 3542 schools
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Wells Community Academy High School
2023	#3352
2022	#3268
2021	#3437
2019	#3567
2018	#3337
2017	#3614
2016	#3445
2015	#3501
2014	#3359
2013	#3621
2012	#3657

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≤5%

27%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2023)
Year	Wells Community Academy High School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools District 299
2023	5%	27%	20%
2021	5%	28%	17%
2019	5%	33%	24%
2018	10%	32%	22%
2017	5%	32%	24%
2016	5%	31%	23%
2015	5%	29%	21%
2014	17%	59%	50%
2013	17%	58%	48%
2012	12%	80%	73%
2011	12%	80%	72%

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≤5%

30%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Wells Community Academy High School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools District 299
2022	5%	30%	20%
2021	5%	32%	21%
2019	5%	38%	27%
2018	10%	37%	22%
2017	5%	38%	28%
2016	7%	36%	27%
2015	5%	38%	29%
2014	27%	57%	45%
2013	17%	58%	47%
2012	12%	75%	65%
2011	12%	75%	65%

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≤5%

50%

Student-Teacher Ratio

12:1

13:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	Wells Community Academy High School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools District 299
2023	12:1	14:1	15:1
2022	12:1	14:1	16:1
2020	12:1	15:1	18:1
2019	12:1	15:1	18:1
2018	15:1	16:1	20:1
2017	15:1	15:1	20:1
2016	13:1	16:1	19:1
2015	14:1	16:1	17:1
2014	13:1	16:1	18:1
2013	10:1	13:1	15:1
2012	13:1	16:1	18:1
2011	15:1	16:1	18:1
2010	15:1	16:1	18:1
2009	15:1	16:1	20:1
2008	16:1	18:1	20:1
2007	20:1	17:1	22:1
2006	13:1	16:1	17:1
2005	14:1	16:1	18:1
2004	15:1	17:1	20:1
2003	13:1	16:1	19:1
2002	14:1	16:1	19:1
2001	12:1	16:1	19:1
2000	14:1	16:1	18:1
1999	15:1	16:1	18:1
1998	15:1	17:1	18:1
1997	15:1	17:1	18:1
1996	18:1	17:1	18:1
1995	18:1	17:1	18:1
1994	18:1	18:1	18:1
1993	17:1	18:1	17:1
1992	17:1	17:1	18:1
1991	18:1	17:1	18:1
1990	18:1	18:1	18:1

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American Indian

n/a

Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1989-2023)
Year	Wells Community Academy High School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools District 299
2023	1%	6%	4%
2006	2%	5%	4%
2002	1%	4%	4%
1994	1%	3%	3%
1989	1%	3%	3%

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Hispanic

43%

28%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Wells Community Academy High School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools District 299
2023	34%	27%	44%
2022	37%	27%	44%
2021	45%	27%	44%
2020	45%	26%	44%
2019	45%	26%	44%
2018	44%	26%	45%
2017	44%	26%	45%
2016	44%	26%	44%
2015	44%	25%	41%
2014	49%	25%	46%
2013	52%	24%	46%
2012	50%	24%	44%
2011	50%	23%	44%
2010	48%	22%	42%
2009	44%	22%	41%
2008	50%	21%	40%
2007	50%	20%	39%
2006	54%	19%	39%
2005	61%	18%	38%
2004	70%	18%	37%
2003	74%	17%	37%
2002	75%	16%	36%
2001	77%	15%	35%
2000	79%	15%	35%
1999	80%	14%	35%
1998	81%	13%	34%
1997	81%	13%	33%
1996	82%	12%	32%
1995	81%	12%	31%
1994	80%	11%	31%
1993	79%	11%	30%
1992	80%	10%	29%
1991	77%	10%	28%

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Black

39%

17%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Wells Community Academy High School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools District 299
2023	47%	17%	41%
2022	50%	17%	41%
2021	47%	17%	41%
2020	48%	17%	41%
2019	48%	17%	41%
2018	53%	17%	41%
2017	53%	17%	41%
2016	53%	17%	42%
2015	54%	17%	38%
2014	47%	17%	40%
2013	44%	18%	40%
2012	45%	18%	42%
2011	44%	18%	43%
2010	49%	20%	45%
2009	52%	20%	47%
2008	48%	20%	47%
2007	47%	20%	48%
2006	41%	20%	49%
2005	34%	20%	50%
2004	27%	21%	50%
2003	21%	21%	51%
2002	19%	21%	51%
2001	16%	21%	52%
2000	16%	21%	52%
1999	15%	21%	53%
1998	14%	21%	54%
1997	14%	20%	54%
1996	14%	21%	54%
1995	14%	20%	55%
1994	14%	21%	55%
1993	15%	21%	56%
1992	15%	21%	57%
1991	15%	21%	58%

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White

15%

45%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Wells Community Academy High School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools District 299
2023	16%	45%	9%
2022	7%	47%	9%
2021	6%	47%	9%
2020	5%	48%	9%
2019	5%	48%	9%
2018	3%	49%	9%
2017	3%	49%	9%
2016	3%	49%	9%
2015	2%	49%	11%
2014	3%	50%	9%
2013	2%	50%	9%
2012	2%	51%	9%
2011	3%	51%	9%
2010	3%	53%	9%
2009	4%	53%	8%
2008	2%	54%	8%
2007	3%	55%	8%
2006	3%	56%	8%
2005	4%	57%	9%
2004	3%	57%	9%
2003	5%	58%	9%
2002	5%	59%	9%
2001	7%	60%	9%
2000	5%	61%	10%
1999	5%	62%	9%
1998	5%	63%	9%
1997	5%	64%	10%
1996	4%	64%	11%
1995	4%	65%	11%
1994	5%	65%	11%
1993	6%	65%	11%
1992	5%	66%	11%
1991	6%	66%	11%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2011-2023)
Year	Wells Community Academy High School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools District 299
2023	2%	4%	2%
2022	6%	4%	2%
2021	2%	4%	1%
2020	2%	4%	1%
2019	2%	4%	1%
2014	1%	3%	1%
2013	1%	3%	1%
2012	1%	3%	1%
2011	1%	3%	1%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.65

0.69

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Wells Community Academy High School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools District 299
2023	0.64	0.70	0.63
2022	0.61	0.68	0.63
2021	0.58	0.68	0.63
2020	0.57	0.68	0.63
2019	0.57	0.68	0.63
2018	0.53	0.67	0.62
2017	0.53	0.67	0.62
2016	0.53	0.67	0.62
2015	0.52	0.67	0.59
2014	0.54	0.66	0.63
2013	0.54	0.66	0.63
2012	0.55	0.65	0.63
2011	0.56	0.66	0.62
2010	0.53	0.64	0.62
2009	0.54	0.64	0.61
2008	0.54	0.64	0.61
2007	0.55	0.63	0.61
2006	0.56	0.61	0.60
2005	0.52	0.61	0.60
2004	0.44	0.60	0.61
2003	0.41	0.59	0.61
2002	0.41	0.59	0.60
2001	0.40	0.58	0.60
2000	0.37	0.57	0.61
1999	0.34	0.56	0.61
1998	0.33	0.56	0.60
1997	0.33	0.54	0.60
1996	0.31	0.53	0.60
1995	0.33	0.53	0.60
1994	0.34	0.52	0.60
1993	0.35	0.52	0.60
1992	0.34	0.52	0.59
1991	0.38	0.52	0.59

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65-69%

87%

View Data

Graduation Rate Comparison Over Years (2011-2023)
Year	Wells Community Academy High School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools District 299
2023	67%	87%	83%
2022	72%	87%	83%
2018	92%	87%	77%
2017	95%	87%	82%
2016	77%	85%	74%
2015	67%	85%	77%
2014	72%	86%	81%
2013	67%	83%	70%
2012	55%	82%	69%
2011	57%	83%	74%

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Eligible for

92%

43%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2003-2023)
Year	Wells Community Academy High School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools District 299
2023	99%	43%	74%
2022	95%	43%	74%
2021	94%	44%	74%
2020	90%	47%	80%
2019	90%	47%	80%
2018	93%	46%	83%
2017	93%	46%	83%
2016	94%	47%	83%
2015	95%	52%	86%
2014	95%	47%	83%
2013	94%	45%	81%
2012	48%	21%	41%
2011	91%	39%	70%
2010	88%	37%	70%
2009	51%	33%	66%
2008	90%	32%	68%
2007	82%	32%	68%
2006	82%	32%	67%
2005	89%	32%	70%
2004	80%	31%	71%
2003	69%	30%	69%

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Eligible for (11-12)

49%

27%

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2002-2012)
Year	Wells Community Academy High School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools District 299
2012	49%	27%	46%
2011	1%	5%	6%
2010	4%	6%	7%
2009	3%	6%	8%
2008	6%	6%	8%
2007	3%	6%	8%
2006	7%	6%	8%
2005	7%	5%	8%
2004	7%	5%	9%
2003	8%	5%	9%
2002	9%	5%	8%

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School Statewide Testing

School District Name

Chicago Public Schools District 299

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="school-notes">School Notes

School Mascot: Raiders

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

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<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id='faq'>Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wells Community Academy High School's ranking?

Wells Community Academy High School is ranked #3352 out of 3,542 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Illinois.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

≤5% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 27% IL state average), while ≤5% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 30% IL state average).

What is the graduation rate of Wells Community Academy High School?

The graduation rate of Wells Community Academy High School is 65-69%, which is lower than the Illinois state average of 87%.

How many students attend Wells Community Academy High School?

380 students attend Wells Community Academy High School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

43% of Wells Community Academy High School students are Hispanic, 39% of students are Black, 15% of students are White, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.

What is the student-teacher ratio of Wells Community Academy High School?

Wells Community Academy High School has a student ration of 12:1, which is lower than the Illinois state average of 13:1.

What grades does Wells Community Academy High School offer ?

Wells Community Academy High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12

What school district is Wells Community Academy High School part of?

Wells Community Academy High School is part of Chicago Public Schools District 299.

In what neighborhood is Wells Community Academy High School located?

Wells Community Academy High School is located in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago, IL. There are 22 other public schools located in West Town.

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