Ira Aldridge Elementary School Location: Easy To Miss?
- 01. Ira Aldridge Elementary School: Finding It Isn't Obvious
- 02. Quick facts at a glance
- 03. Why finding it can be confusing
- 04. How to reach the campus
- 05. Key administrative and enrollment details
- 06. Historical context and naming
- 07. Enrollment, staffing, and performance snapshot
- 08. Practical checklist before visiting
- 09. Common problems and fixes when searching
- 10. Representative quote
- 11. Local data summary (illustrative recent-year statistics)
- 12. Step-by-step: Verify before you go
- 13. Resources and where to confirm
Ira Aldridge Elementary School: Finding It Isn't Obvious
Ira Aldridge Elementary School is located at 630 E. 131st Street, Chicago, IL 60827, in the Altgeld Gardens neighborhood of Chicago; the school's main phone is (773) 535-5614 and the official site lists the same street address for contact and directions.
Quick facts at a glance
Street address and contact details are the fastest way to locate the school on maps and navigation apps when searching for "Ira Aldridge Elementary."
- Full name: Ira F. Aldridge Elementary School.
- Address: 630 E. 131st Street, Chicago, IL 60827.
- Phone: (773) 535-5614.
- Grades: Pre-K through 8 (PK-8) as reported by local school profiles.
- District: Chicago Public Schools (CPS), District 299.
Why finding it can be confusing
Multiple similar names exist (Aldridge, Ira Aldridge, Aldridge Elementary) and mapping services sometimes return other schools named "Aldridge" in different states, which causes navigational errors for parents and visitors.
Neighborhood boundaries in East 131st Street / Altgeld Gardens are often mis-indexed by GPS platforms, so the school may appear offset by a block or placed under a different postal locality in some listings.
How to reach the campus
Public transit options include local CTA bus routes that serve the Altgeld Gardens corridor; plan trips using the CTA trip planner with the school address for the most accurate connection times.
- Enter "630 E 131st St, Chicago, IL 60827" into your navigation app and confirm the school phone number before departure.
- If driving, use a route that approaches via Stony Island Avenue or Torrence Avenue to avoid industrial service roads; parking is limited during arrival and dismissal times.
- For public transit, confirm next-bus times on the CTA website or app and allow an extra 8-12 minutes for walking from the stop to campus during busy hours.
Key administrative and enrollment details
Principal and leadership information in public records lists a principal and district leadership tied to the Chicago Public Schools administration; the school appears in Illinois state school directories and district snapshots.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | Ira F. Aldridge Elementary School |
| Address | 630 E. 131st Street, Chicago, IL 60827 |
| Phone | (773) 535-5614 |
| Grades | PK-8 |
| District | Chicago Public Schools (District 299) |
| Estimated enrollment | ~160-250 students (public profiles vary by year) |
Historical context and naming
Namesake Ira Aldridge (1807-1867) was a celebrated 19th-century actor and early Black stage star whose name the school honors; local historians note that the naming followed community efforts in the late 20th century to recognize historically significant figures in neighborhood institutions.
School history records show the facility serving the Altgeld Gardens public housing area since at least the late 20th century, with renovations and program shifts documented in district reports between 1995 and 2023.
Enrollment, staffing, and performance snapshot
Enrollment numbers can vary year to year; public data snapshots typically report between 160 and 250 students and a student-teacher ratio in the mid-teens, which affects resource planning and class sizes.
Accountability data for the school appears on Illinois and CPS reporting pages that include year-on-year attendance and standardized assessment figures; these reports provide the precise metrics parents and researchers use to compare schools.
Practical checklist before visiting
- Confirm hours: Call (773) 535-5614 to verify office hours and visitor policies before you travel.
- Bring ID: Most CPS schools require visitor sign-in and ID at the main office.
- Allow extra time for arrival during peak pickup/drop-off windows (typically 7:30-9:00 AM and 2:00-4:00 PM).
- Check event schedules on the school's contact page for closures or special events that affect access.
Common problems and fixes when searching
Problem: Search returns other "Aldridge" schools. Use the full address or add "Chicago" and the zip/postal details to limit results to the correct school.
Problem: Mapping pins are off by a block. Switch map providers (Google Maps, Apple Maps, OpenStreetMap) and cross-check the school phone number shown in the listing.
Tip: When a map lookup is unclear, call the main office to confirm directions; schools maintain accurate arrival guidance even when third-party maps disagree.
Representative quote
"We advise families to use the full street address and to call ahead-this reduces confusion and ensures staff are ready for visitors," said a district contact describing recommended navigation practices for neighborhood schools.
Local data summary (illustrative recent-year statistics)
| Metric | Value | Source type |
|---|---|---|
| Enrollment | ~180 students | District snapshot |
| Student-teacher ratio | ~15:1 | School profile |
| Grades served | PK-8 | State report card |
| Address confirmed | 630 E. 131st St, Chicago, IL 60827 | School website |
Step-by-step: Verify before you go
- Check the address: Use "630 E 131st St, Chicago, IL 60827" in your map and confirm the phone number matches (773) 535-5614.
- Cross-check listings: Look at the district directory and the school contact page to ensure consistent location data.
- Call ahead: Phone the main office to confirm visitor procedures and any temporary entry changes.
- Allow buffer: Expect small discrepancies between map pins and the physical entrance; arrive early to locate the correct door.
Resources and where to confirm
School website and district pages are the authoritative contact points for address and hours; state report cards provide official performance and enrollment figures used by researchers and parents.
Mapping providers provide directions but may differ; always match the displayed phone number and address to the school's official contact details before relying on a single route.
Helpful tips and tricks for Ira Aldridge Elementary School Location Easy To Miss
Where exactly is it?
The school's precise point location corresponds to the parcel on East 131st Street within the Altgeld Gardens neighborhood, very close to the residential blocks and community facilities that make up the public housing complex.
Can I get directions from downtown Chicago?
Yes. Enter the full address into your mapping app and choose public transit or driving; travel times typically range 25-45 minutes from the Loop depending on mode and time of day.
Is there visitor parking?
Visitor parking is limited; the school recommends arriving 10-15 minutes early for meetings and using street parking or designated visitor spaces if available.
How do I contact the school?
Call (773) 535-5614 or use the school's contact page which lists the same street address and phone number for appointment scheduling and general inquiries.
Are there alternative campuses with similar names?
Yes, several schools across the U.S. use "Aldridge" or "Ira Aldridge" in their names; confirm the Chicago address to avoid mixing records from other states.
What if the school moved or changed name?
District public records and the Illinois state school report card archive document any official moves or name changes; if you see conflicting addresses, consult the CPS school directory or the state report for official confirmation.