The top reported proficiency rate is 29% in English language arts. The lowest is 6% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Univ of Chicago Chtr-woodlawn
University of Chicago Charter Woodlawn serves sixth through twelfth grade in the Woodlawn neighborhood on the city's South Side. This charter school is part of Chicago Public Schools district and operates as a regular public school, open to all students in the area. The school houses roughly ten classrooms' worth of students across the middle and high school grades, with the body fairly small and stable.
The student body is predominantly Black, reflecting the neighborhood's composition. State testing data for the current school year show plainly why a parent evaluating this school would want to look closely at what academic supports are in place. In sixth-grade English language arts, about one-third of students scored at proficiency; by seventh grade that number edged down slightly, and by eighth grade it fell to around one-fifth. Mathematics presents a sharper picture: in sixth grade, proficiency held in the low single digits; by eighth grade it stood at a comparable low level. Science proficiency in eighth grade sat in the low single digits as well. These numbers position the school well below the midpoint among Cook County's school districts on overall proficiency.
Testing participation rates are high—above nine of ten students in each grade sat for assessments—which means the results reflect the broader student population rather than a subset. The assessment results, taken together, suggest the school's academic program is not yet producing proficiency in the core subjects at rates most parents would recognize as typical, and warrant direct conversation with school leadership about literacy and numeracy instruction, assessment practices, pacing, and student support during the school day and beyond.
Context matters here. The school is new to the neighborhood and is still in the work of establishing itself academically. Chicago Public Schools as a district has undergone significant recent changes: the Board of Education is transitioning to full election in 2026, the district adopted a five-year plan in 2024 that shifts emphasis toward neighborhood schools rather than school choice, and a new accountability system rolled out in late 2024 to replace numeric school ratings. The district also introduced Skyline, a comprehensive PreK-12 curriculum across English, math, science, social studies, world languages, and arts—the first district-wide curriculum in CPS history—which is available at no cost to district-managed schools. Charter schools may adopt it but set their own curriculum direction.
The Woodlawn neighborhood itself sits on the South Side in a dense, mixed-use part of the city with strong neighborhood anchors: the University of Chicago operates close by, the lakefront is within reach, and the Chicago Park District and transit access are part of daily life. The local housing market shows median home values in the low-to-mid range, with rents modest compared to downtown and the North Side, and the area has seen modest year-over-year rent growth.
For a family weighing this school, the path forward hinges on understanding the root of the proficiency gap. That means asking whether there is a coherent literacy and numeracy plan; what professional development teachers have received; whether the school has adequate reading specialists, math coaches, or tutoring; and what the trajectory looks like from year to year. The school is open and welcomes students from the neighborhood; this is not a selective-entry school. Parents serious about considering it should visit, speak directly to the principal and teachers, and review what data the school publishes on its own website or shares in person about student growth and year-to-year improvement.
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