GREAT LAKES ACADEMY CHARTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Great Lakes Academy Charter ES is a Title I public charter elementary school that is part of the Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 school district, located in Chicago, IL with about 294 students offering grade levels from Kindergarten to 4th Grade. 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 15 teachers, Great Lakes Academy Charter ES 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.

Great Lakes Academy Charter Elementary School (GLA), located in the South Chicago neighborhood, is a public charter school serving students in grades K–8. Founded on the mission of preparing students for success in college and beyond, the school focuses heavily on rigorous academic instruction coupled with a strong emphasis on character development. Their educational model is built on the belief that all students can achieve at high levels when provided with a structured, supportive, and data-driven environment.

The school is known for maintaining a highly disciplined culture, featuring smaller class sizes and an extended school day to provide students with more time for core subjects like literacy and mathematics. Beyond academics, Great Lakes Academy places significant value on social-emotional learning, aiming to cultivate habits of excellence and persistence in its student body. By partnering closely with families and the surrounding community, the school strives to provide a consistent pathway toward high school graduation and post-secondary success for children on the South Side of Chicago.

For more information, contact Great Lakes Academy Charter ES at (773) 530-3040 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.