ARIEL ELEM COMMUNITY ACADEMY

Ariel Elem Community Academy is a Title I public elementary school that is part of the Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 school district, located in Chicago, IL with about 519 students offering grade levels from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th Grade. Student demographics can be found below. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 27 teachers, Ariel Elem Community Academy has a student/teacher ratio of about 19:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

Ariel Community Academy (ACA) is a unique, K-8 public school located in the North Kenwood/Oakland neighborhood of Chicago. Established in 1996 through a partnership between Ariel Investments and Chicago Public Schools, the school is widely recognized for its innovative financial literacy curriculum. Unlike a standard elementary program, ACA integrates economics and investment education into the daily lives of its students. This signature program, known as the "Ariel Education Initiative," includes a real-money investment project where each class is given a fund to manage, teaching students the fundamentals of stocks, compound interest, and wealth management from a young age.

Beyond its focus on financial literacy, Ariel Community Academy is designed as a neighborhood hub that emphasizes community involvement and high academic standards. The school operates on an extended school-year calendar, allowing for more instructional time and a more holistic approach to student development. By blending rigorous core academics with a practical, real-world application of financial principles, the school aims to empower students from diverse backgrounds with the economic tools and confidence necessary for long-term financial independence and professional success.

For more information, contact Ariel Elem Community Academy at (773) 535-1996 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.