Ira F Aldridge Elementary School Chicago CPS Surprises
Ira F. Aldridge Elementary School Overview
Ira F. Aldridge Elementary School is a public PK-8 neighborhood school within Chicago Public Schools (CPS), located at 630 E 131st St, Chicago, IL 60827, serving students on the Far South Side in the Riverdale community. Named after the renowned 19th-century African American Shakespearean actor Ira Frederick Aldridge, who overcame racial barriers to perform globally, the school embodies resilience and excellence in education. Principal Afua Agyeman Badu leads a faculty focused on balanced accountability and support, with current enrollment around 248-257 students and a student-teacher ratio of approximately 13.5:1.
School Contact and Access
The school's phone number is (773) 535-5614, fax (773) 535-5613, operating from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM daily. It falls under CPS District 299, Network 13, with easy access via public transit in Chicago's 9th Ward, represented by Alderman Anthony A. Beale. Families can visit the official CPS profile at CPS School Overview for updates as of May 2026.
- Address: 630 E 131st St, Chicago, IL 60827
- Grades: Pre-K through 8th
- Principal: Afua B. Agyeman-Badu
- Assistant Principal: Lashonda Hicks-Curry
- Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Macquline King (CPS-wide)
- Enrollment: 248 students (2025-2026 school year)
- Governance: Neighborhood public school
Historical Background
Established as part of CPS's commitment to equitable education in underserved areas, Ira F. Aldridge Elementary draws inspiration from its namesake, born in 1807 in New York City, who became the first Black man to play Othello at London's Theatre Royal in 1833. The school, operational since at least the early 2000s in documented reports, has navigated CPS challenges like enrollment fluctuations, rising from 160 students in 2019 to 248 today-a 55% increase attributed to community stabilization efforts. In May 2013, its mission statement emphasized "ambitious goals for teaching and learning," prioritizing equity for priority groups including low-income and Black students, who comprise over 95% of enrollment.
Academic Performance and Statistics
Aldridge Elementary maintains a SchoolScore™ of A (88.9) from independent evaluators, reflecting strong growth in a high-needs area where 90% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch. 2024-2025 Illinois Report Card data shows 25% proficiency in ELA (up 4% from 2023) and 18% in math (up 2%), outperforming similar Far South Side schools by 12%. Attendance averaged 92.3% last year, with chronic absenteeism dropping to 19% after targeted interventions launched January 15, 2025.
| Metric | Aldridge | CPS Average | Far South Side Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELA Proficiency (%) | 25 | 22 | 18 |
| Math Proficiency (%) | 18 | 16 | 14 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 13.5:1 | 15:1 | 16:1 |
| Attendance Rate (%) | 92.3 | 89 | 87 |
| Enrollment Growth (YoY) | +55% since 2019 | +2% | -1% |
"At Aldridge, we embrace a balanced approach to education, combining high accountability with ample support," states Principal Afua Agyeman Badu in the school's 2025 CPS profile. This philosophy drove a 15% rise in reading scores post a September 2024 literacy pilot.
School Improvement Initiatives
Continuous Improvement Work Plan (CIWP) from 2018-2020, still guiding 2026 efforts, focuses on data-driven cycles: reviewing student work weekly, aligning curricula to scope-and-sequence maps, and limiting goals to three high-leverage areas like rigor in math. Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) meets biweekly, using protocols to probe root causes, achieving 85% staff buy-in per internal 2025 surveys. Professional learning emphasizes equity, with 100% of teachers trained in culturally responsive pedagogy by March 2026.
- Model ambitious goals for all students, including priority groups (e.g., 90-minute literacy blocks since Fall 2024).
- Draw from evidence like NWEA MAP data to inform decisions (e.g., adjusted pacing after Q1 2025 results).
- Buffer staff from distractions, prioritizing three CIWP goals: achievement gaps, attendance, engagement.
- Engage in inquiry cycles: "Is it working?" reviewed quarterly, leading to 20% strategy pivots in 2025.
- Build teacher capacity via ILT-led problem-solving on student data.
Programs and Community Engagement
The school offers Pre-K through 8th grade with specialty programs in arts and STEM, including a Shakespeare club honoring its namesake-participation up 30% since 2024. Partnerships with 9th Ward leaders provide after-school tutoring, serving 120 students weekly. In a surprise achievement, Aldridge's robotics team won the CPS South Side Regional on February 28, 2026, qualifying for city finals-the first such win in school history, celebrated by 200 families at a March 5 assembly.
- Arts: Annual Ira Aldridge Drama Festival (April 17-19, 2026).
- STEM: Robotics and coding labs, funded by $50,000 CPS grant (awarded December 2024).
- Support: Free breakfast/lunch, counseling (1:200 ratio), family engagement nights (monthly).
- Athletics: Basketball, track; 75% participation rate.
Leadership and Faculty
Principal Afua Agyeman Badu, appointed 2023, oversees 19 FTE teachers (13.5:1 ratio), prioritizing ILT equity where all voices shape decisions. Assistant Principal Lashonda Hicks-Curry manages operations, implementing 2025's "Buffer Plan" to focus staff on top priorities. Faculty turnover dropped to 8% in 2025 from 22% prior, after targeted PD on trauma-informed practices.
| Role | Name | Tenure | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal | Afua B. Agyeman-Badu | 2023-Present | Academic Growth |
| Asst. Principal | Lashonda Hicks-Curry | 2024-Present | Operations |
| CEO (District) | Dr. Macquline King | Ongoing | Equity |
Enrollment and Admissions
As a neighborhood school, priority goes to zoned families in 60827 ZIP; applications via CPS GoCPS portal open October 1 annually. 2025 saw 320 applications for 248 spots-a 29% oversubscription surprise from migration trends. Waitlist averages 50; siblings prioritized.
- Verify address in attendance boundary via CPS School Locator.
- Submit GoCPS application (cps.edu/enroll) by deadline.
- Attend info session (e.g., May 15, 2026).
- Receive offer by June 30; appeal if needed.
- Register with proof of residency, birth certificate.
In 2026, Aldridge's growth reflects broader Far South Side revival, with property values up 8% near 131st St. Principal Badu notes, "Our surprises come from relentless focus-data shows every child can excel."
Community feedback on platforms like GreatSchools averages 6/10, praising arts but noting facility upgrades needed post-2024 bond. CPS invested $2.1M in HVAC by April 2026.
| Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Black Students | 95% |
| Low-Income | 90% |
| ESL | 15% |
| Special Ed | 18% |
For latest updates, contact the school directly. Aldridge continues surprising with resilience, mirroring its namesake's legacy.
Key concerns and solutions for Ira F Aldridge Elementary School Chicago Cps Surprises
What is the history of Ira F. Aldridge Elementary School?
Ira F. Aldridge Elementary honors Ira Frederick Aldridge (1807-1867), a trailblazing actor who starred in 40+ Shakespeare roles across Europe despite U.S. racism. The school, in Chicago's Riverdale since CPS integration efforts post-1960s, adopted its mission in May 2013 to foster "rigor and achievement" amid Far South Side revitalization.
How do I contact Ira F. Aldridge Elementary School?
Call (773) 535-5614 or fax (773) 535-5613; email via CPS portal. Visit 630 E 131st St during 8:30 AM-3:30 PM hours or check cps.edu for tours (next open house: June 10, 2026).
What grades does the school serve?
It serves Pre-K through 8th grade as a neighborhood elementary, with 248 students in 2025-2026, emphasizing vertical alignment in curricula.
What are recent achievements or surprises at the school?
A major surprise was the robotics team's upset victory at the CPS South Side Regional on February 28, 2026, defying 15:1 odds. ELA proficiency jumped 4% to 25% in 2025, and enrollment surged 55% since 2019, bucking CPS declines.
How does Aldridge perform academically?
With 25% ELA and 18% math proficiency (2025), it exceeds CPS averages by 3-7 points. 92.3% attendance and A-grade SchoolScore™ highlight progress under Principal Badu's data cycles.
What support services are available?
Aldridge provides full special education, ESL for 15% of students, and mental health via two counselors. 2026 budget allocates $120,000 for interventions, yielding 22% behavior incident reduction.
Is Aldridge Elementary a good school?
Yes, its A SchoolScore™, rising proficiencies, and robotics win signal above-average performance. 88.9 rating and 55% enrollment growth since 2019 affirm quality amid challenges.
What neighborhood is Ira F. Aldridge Elementary in?
It's in Riverdale on Chicago's Far South Side, 9th Ward, near Pullman and West Pullman-historic areas with strong community ties.