Ucan Academy in Chicago, IL, serves 67 students in grades 3 through 12 within a nonsectarian, city–based special education program.
Founded in 1869, Ucan Academy is one of the oldest private schools in the area, located in the Humboldt Park neighborhood.
The school maintains a student–teacher ratio of 8:1, supported by a teaching staff of 8 educators.
Ucan Academy has one of the highest percentages of students of color, with 96.36% racial diversity among its student body.
As a city–based special education school, Ucan Academy offers programs designed to address the needs of its student population from upper elementary to high school levels.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Top-Ranked IL School
- School Type: Special Education School
- Grades: 3-12
- Enrollment: 67 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Top Rankings
Ucan Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School History
School Overview
School Type
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 3-12
Year Founded
1869
Student Body
Total Students
67 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
96%
State avg.: 34%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
8 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
National avg.: 11:1
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Application URL
School Notes
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Kemisha Swan - Owner of Miss Swan’s Perfect BBQ Sauce; a UCAN foster care alumna.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
What schools are Ucan Academy often compared to?
Ucan Academy is often viewed alongside schools like Esperanza Therapeutic School by visitors of our site.
Who are famous alumni from Ucan Academy?
Ucan Academy famous alumni include: Kemisha Swan - Owner of Miss Swan’s Perfect BBQ Sauce; a UCAN foster care alumna..
What is Ucan Academy's ranking?
Ucan Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for: Highest percentage of students of color and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Ucan Academy?
The application deadline for Ucan Academy is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is Ucan Academy located?
Ucan Academy is located in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL.
Related Schools
Show me:
Popular comparisons: Ucan Academy vs. Esperanza Therapeutic School
People that viewed Ucan Academy also viewed these schools: Esperanza Therapeutic School, Tallgrass Sudbury School, Bennett Day School, Acacia Academy and Wolcott College Prep.
The nearest high school to Ucan Academy is Wolcott College Prep (0.1 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is Esperanza Therapeutic School (0.4 miles away)
The nearest preschool is St. Nicholas Cathedral School (0.5 miles away)
Show me:
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Esperanza Therapeutic School ![Esperanza Therapeutic School Photo - Esperanza School]( "Esperanza Therapeutic School Photo - Esperanza School")
Special Education School
520 N Marshfield Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 243-6097
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 243-6097
0.4 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 39 students Avg. class size: 10 students Acceptance rate listed
100 6th Ave
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 328-8546
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 328-8546
11.3 miles
Gr: K-12 | 28 students Avg. class size: 30 students Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
955 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 236-6388
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 236-6388
1.3 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 413 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition listed
Acacia Academy ![Acacia Academy Photo - Offering a variety of year-round and summer programs designed to meet each student's learning objectives in terms of his/her learning capabilities.AdvancED accredited school in the La Grange, IL area. Illinois State Board of Education approved for out-of-district placement for special education.]( "Acacia Academy Photo - Offering a variety of year-round and summer programs designed to meet each student's learning objectives in terms of his/her learning capabilities.AdvancED accredited school in the La Grange, IL area. Illinois State Board of Education approved for out-of-district placement for special education.")
Special Education School
6425 Willow Springs Rd
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 579-9040
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 579-9040
13.6 miles
Gr: 4-12 | 91 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition listed
524 N. Wolcott Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 610-4900
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 610-4900
0.1 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 134 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 13 | Extracurrculars: 22 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Esperanza Therapeutic School ![Esperanza Therapeutic School Photo - Esperanza School]( "Esperanza Therapeutic School Photo - Esperanza School")
Special Education School
520 N Marshfield Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 243-6097
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 243-6097
0.4 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 39 students Avg. class size: 10 students Acceptance rate listed
100 6th Ave
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 328-8546
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 328-8546
11.3 miles
Gr: K-12 | 28 students Avg. class size: 30 students Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
955 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 236-6388
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 236-6388
1.3 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 413 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition listed
Acacia Academy ![Acacia Academy Photo - Offering a variety of year-round and summer programs designed to meet each student's learning objectives in terms of his/her learning capabilities.AdvancED accredited school in the La Grange, IL area. Illinois State Board of Education approved for out-of-district placement for special education.]( "Acacia Academy Photo - Offering a variety of year-round and summer programs designed to meet each student's learning objectives in terms of his/her learning capabilities.AdvancED accredited school in the La Grange, IL area. Illinois State Board of Education approved for out-of-district placement for special education.")
Special Education School
6425 Willow Springs Rd
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 579-9040
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 579-9040
13.6 miles
Gr: 4-12 | 91 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition listed
524 N. Wolcott Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 610-4900
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 610-4900
0.1 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 134 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 13 | Extracurrculars: 22 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Esperanza Therapeutic School ![Esperanza Therapeutic School Photo - Esperanza School]( "Esperanza Therapeutic School Photo - Esperanza School")
Special Education School
520 N Marshfield Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 243-6097
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 243-6097
0.4 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 39 students Avg. class size: 10 students Acceptance rate listed
100 6th Ave
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 328-8546
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 328-8546
11.3 miles
Gr: K-12 | 28 students Avg. class size: 30 students Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
955 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 236-6388
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 236-6388
1.3 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 413 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition listed
Acacia Academy ![Acacia Academy Photo - Offering a variety of year-round and summer programs designed to meet each student's learning objectives in terms of his/her learning capabilities.AdvancED accredited school in the La Grange, IL area. Illinois State Board of Education approved for out-of-district placement for special education.]( "Acacia Academy Photo - Offering a variety of year-round and summer programs designed to meet each student's learning objectives in terms of his/her learning capabilities.AdvancED accredited school in the La Grange, IL area. Illinois State Board of Education approved for out-of-district placement for special education.")
Special Education School
6425 Willow Springs Rd
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 579-9040
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 579-9040
13.6 miles
Gr: 4-12 | 91 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition listed
4437 N Seeley Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 561-6576
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 561-6576
4.9 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 79 students Avg. class size: 13 students Sports: 1 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
955 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 236-6388
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 236-6388
1.3 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 413 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition listed
4437 N Seeley Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 561-6576
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 561-6576
4.9 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 79 students Avg. class size: 13 students Sports: 1 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition listed
1929 W. Wilson Avenue
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 665-0066
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 665-0066
5.1 miles
Gr: NS-12 | 789 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 14 | Extracurrculars: 18 Tuition listed
St. Blase Polish Catholic School
Special Program Emphasis (Catholic)
6101 S 75th Ave
Summit Argo, IL 60501
(708) 458-8772
Summit Argo, IL 60501
(708) 458-8772
10.2 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 817 students
St. Francis Xavier School
(Catholic)
145 N Waiola Ave
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 352-2175
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 352-2175
11.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 460 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
524 N. Wolcott Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 610-4900
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 610-4900
0.1 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 134 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 13 | Extracurrculars: 22 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
West Town Academy
Alternative School
2021 W Fulton St
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 563-9044
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 563-9044
0.3 miles
Gr: 10-12 | 180 students
Esperanza Therapeutic School ![Esperanza Therapeutic School Photo - Esperanza School]( "Esperanza Therapeutic School Photo - Esperanza School")
Special Education School
520 N Marshfield Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 243-6097
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 243-6097
0.4 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 39 students Avg. class size: 10 students Acceptance rate listed
2200 West Rice Street
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 384-7243
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 384-7243
0.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 133 students Avg. class size: 11 students Sports: 2 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Malachy Elementary School
(Catholic)
2252 W Washington Blvd
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 733-2252
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 733-2252
0.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 242 students Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
524 N. Wolcott Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 610-4900
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 610-4900
0.1 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 134 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 13 | Extracurrculars: 22 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
West Town Academy
Alternative School
2021 W Fulton St
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 563-9044
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 563-9044
0.3 miles
Gr: 10-12 | 180 students
Esperanza Therapeutic School ![Esperanza Therapeutic School Photo - Esperanza School]( "Esperanza Therapeutic School Photo - Esperanza School")
Special Education School
520 N Marshfield Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 243-6097
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 243-6097
0.4 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 39 students Avg. class size: 10 students Acceptance rate listed
Changing Oasis
Alternative School
2532 W Warren Blvd Fl 2
Chicago, IL 60612
(773) 309-1047
Chicago, IL 60612
(773) 309-1047
0.9 miles
Gr: 11-12 | 8 students
1443 W Division Street
Chicago, IL 60642
(773) 278-4212
Chicago, IL 60642
(773) 278-4212
1 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 318 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 27 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Esperanza Therapeutic School ![Esperanza Therapeutic School Photo - Esperanza School]( "Esperanza Therapeutic School Photo - Esperanza School")
Special Education School
520 N Marshfield Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 243-6097
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 243-6097
0.4 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 39 students Avg. class size: 10 students Acceptance rate listed
2200 West Rice Street
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 384-7243
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 384-7243
0.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 133 students Avg. class size: 11 students Sports: 2 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Malachy Elementary School
(Catholic)
2252 W Washington Blvd
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 733-2252
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 733-2252
0.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 242 students Tuition listed
St. Helen School
(Catholic)
2347 W Augusta Blvd
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 486-1055
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 486-1055
0.7 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 280 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition listed
Montessori Academy Of Chicago ![Montessori Academy Of Chicago Photo - Montessori Academy of Chicago Elementary students: Enjoying autumn in a city park.]( "Montessori Academy Of Chicago Photo - Montessori Academy of Chicago Elementary students: Enjoying autumn in a city park.")
Montessori School
1335 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 243-0977
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 243-0977
1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 313 students Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
2200 West Rice Street
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 384-7243
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 384-7243
0.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 133 students Avg. class size: 11 students Sports: 2 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Malachy Elementary School
(Catholic)
2252 W Washington Blvd
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 733-2252
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 733-2252
0.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 242 students Tuition listed
St. Helen School
(Catholic)
2347 W Augusta Blvd
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 486-1055
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 486-1055
0.7 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 280 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition listed
Montessori Academy Of Chicago ![Montessori Academy Of Chicago Photo - Montessori Academy of Chicago Elementary students: Enjoying autumn in a city park.]( "Montessori Academy Of Chicago Photo - Montessori Academy of Chicago Elementary students: Enjoying autumn in a city park.")
Montessori School
1335 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 243-0977
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 243-0977
1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 313 students Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition listed
Near North Montessori ![Near North Montessori Photo - An engaged learner in our Primary Class for children ages 3 years to 6 years, is receiving a lesson with a Montessori material known as the brown stair. The brown stair helps children develop their awareness of size differences]( "Near North Montessori Photo - An engaged learner in our Primary Class for children ages 3 years to 6 years, is receiving a lesson with a Montessori material known as the brown stair. The brown stair helps children develop their awareness of size differences")
Montessori School
1434 W Division Street
Chicago, IL 60642
(773) 384-1434
Chicago, IL 60642
(773) 384-1434
1.1 miles
Gr: NS-8 | 504 students Avg. class size: 27 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition listed
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Goodrich Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3450 Hobson Rd
Woodridge, IL 60517
(630) 795-6100
Woodridge, IL 60517
(630) 795-6100
9196.5 miles
Gr: PK-6 | 397 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Wood View Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
197 Winston Dr
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
(630) 739-0185
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
(630) 739-0185
9196.5 miles
Gr: K-5 | 443 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Bernard J Ward Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
200 Recreation Dr
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
(630) 972-9200
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
(630) 972-9200
9196.6 miles
Gr: K-5 | 363 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Arbor View Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
22w430 Ironwood Dr
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 469-5505
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 469-5505
9196.7 miles
Gr: PK-5 | 313 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Forest Glen Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
561 Elm St
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 790-6400
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 790-6400
9196.7 miles
Gr: PK-5 | 581 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
School Reviews
Endorse Ucan Academy. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
- Academic or athletic awards
Recent Articles
How to Ask About Staff Screening Without Apologizing
Parents should feel comfortable asking how private schools screen employees. Learn which questions matter, what answers to expect, and why transparency about hiring and student safety is a hallmark of a well-managed school.
What Facility Safety Tells You About School Oversight
A school's facilities reveal far more than appearance. Learn how building maintenance, emergency preparedness, and campus safety practices can help parents evaluate school leadership, oversight, and long-term commitment to student well-being.
Is the School Legally a School? A Parent Verification Checklist
Before enrolling your child in a private school, learn how to verify that it is legally operating, properly accredited, and authorized to issue recognized diplomas with this practical parent checklist for making a confident school choice.
