Few elementary schools in Chicago perform better on an annual basis than Oriole Park Elementary in Norwood Park. According to school rankings published in the Sun-Times last fall, almost 96 percent of the school’s students met or exceeded state education goals during the 2008-2009 academic year, compared to 62 percent district-wide and almost 76 percent statewide. (Five Chicago elementaries ranked higher, but were all test-in schools.)
According to its Chicago Public Schools profile, Oriole Park had 656 students in ’08-’09. Almost three-fourths of the student body was white, with Hispanics making up the second-largest demographic at 17 percent. Almost 20 percent were low-income students, almost 10 percent were special-ed students, and more than 4 percent were limited English learners. The school is noteworthy for being one of the few in the nation to provide a full Chinese language instruction program.
Among the dozens of single-family homes available within Oriole Park’s attendance area (outlined in the map at bottom) are these three, representing the low, median, and high prices in the market.
- Low: 7718 W Balmoral Ave, a four-bedroom / one-bath brick bungalow listed “as-is” for $199,000. The home is located on a 40′ x 125′ lot and features hardwood floors, a new hot water tank, and a “newer” furnace. 2008 taxes were $873. The address gets a “car-dependent” Walk Score of 43 and a ho-hum Transit Score of 49 (which no doubt would be higher if Walk Score would recognize Metra as public transportation). Listed by Mariusz Lata of RE/MAX City.
- Median: 7738 W Victoria St (pictured), a three-bedroom / two-bath Cape Cod-style home priced at $299,900. The home’s first floor features a remodeled kitchen and bath and new hardwood floors; the second floor has two bedrooms and a full bath. Its two-car garage is currently used for storage and needs new overhead doors. 2008 taxes were $3,948. The home has a “somewhat walkable” Walk Score of 58 and a “good” Transit Score of 51. Listed by Donald Tomaska of Baird & Warner.
- High: 6069 N Olympia Ave, a 2,800 square-foot, four-bedroom / three-bath Cape Cod priced at $579,900. A “total rehab” featuring hardwood floors; new copper plumbing and electrical; Internet wiring in every room; a new HVAC system with double furnace and two hot water heaters; a kitchen with granite countertops, cherry cabinets, and a wine fridge; a master bath with with Jacuzzi tub and separate steam shower; and a fully finished basement. 2008 taxes were $4,428. The home has a “somewhat walkable” Walk Score of 52 and squeaks in with a “good” Transit Score of 50. Listed by Joseph Demarco of iTown Realty.
View Oriole Park Elemenatary School boundaries in a larger map