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Very Good

#819 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 22% in state

Bowen High School

High School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

2710 E 89th St, Chicago, IL 60617

Enrollment

219

Student-Teacher

10.4:1

Score

7.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chicago

#123 of 629

public schools

Illinois high schools

#140 of 703

In district

#122 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Bowen High School

Bowen High School is a regular public high school in Chicago, Illinois, serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 219 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.4:1, the school offers personalized attention to its diverse student body. Bowen has 21 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting students as they navigate their high school years.

According to MySchoolScout's ranking system, Bowen High School is rated at 4.3 out of 10 and ranks in the 25th percentile among Illinois schools. While academic performance scores are relatively low, with only 3% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 4% proficiency in Math across all grades, the school focuses on student development and continuous improvement. Bowen High School is situated in a large city setting within Chicago's dynamic community.

Despite the challenges, it provides a supportive environment for students to grow academically and personally.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Bowen High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.06 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency2.5%
Overall Proficiency3%
Expected (poverty-adj.)6%
vs. Expected-3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College Readiness8.3Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation22.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

Bowen High School — Students at Bowen High School score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 3.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 3.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
ELA
2.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.

How Bowen High School Compares

See how Bowen High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
79th percentile in IL
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

2710 E 89th St, Chicago, IL 60617

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bowen High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Noble St Chtr-Baker Campus (rated 6.6/10), with a comparable rating. Another option is Chicago Vocational Career Acad HS (rated 5.4/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, EPIC Academy High School (rated 4.9/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Noble St Chtr-Baker Campus Chicago 0.0 mi 6.6
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL - EXCHANGE Chicago 0.3 mi 5.7
Mireles Elem Academy Chicago 0.3 mi 7.5
Great Lakes Academy Charter ES Chicago 0.6 mi 6.7
Hoyne Elem School Chicago 0.5 mi 4.2
Coles Elem Language Academy Chicago 0.6 mi 4.2
Ninos Heroes Elem Academic Ctr Chicago 0.7 mi 7.6
Thorp J N Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 6.2
LEARN Chtr - South Chicago Campus Chicago 0.7 mi 5.0
EPIC Academy High School Chicago 0.8 mi 4.9
SACRED HEART SCHOOL-96TH Chicago 0.9 mi 6.4
Chicago Vocational Career Acad HS Chicago 0.8 mi 5.4
Sullivan Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 6.7
Marsh Elem School Chicago 1.2 mi 6.5
Warren Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 4.3
Black Magnet Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 8.5
Bradwell Comm Arts & Sci Elem Sch Chicago 1.4 mi 6.0
ST JUDE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE Chicago 1.4 mi
Mann Elem School Chicago 1.3 mi 7.4
Daisy Bates Acad of Social Justic Chicago 1.3 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60617 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,237

Median Home Value

$168,200

Median Rent

$1,010/mo

Population

79,284

College Educated

20.2%

Homeownership

56.2%

Avg Commute

37.3 min

Poverty Rate

23.2%

Median Age

38.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bowen High School has a median household income of $51,237. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,200, with a median rent of $1,010/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Chicago Military Academy HS Chicago, IL 7.4
Gardner-South Wilmington Twp H S Gardner, IL 7.4
Georgetown-Ridge Farm High School Georgetown, IL 7.4
Grayville Jr Sr High School Grayville, IL 7.4
Lena-Winslow High School Lena, IL 7.4
Lincolnwood High School Raymond, IL 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bowen High School

What grades does Bowen High School serve?

Bowen High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Bowen High School?

Bowen High School has an enrollment of approximately 219 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bowen High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bowen High School is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bowen High School rank in IL?

Bowen High School is ranked #819 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Bowen High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bowen High School has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bowen High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bowen High School has 3.8% math proficiency and 3.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bowen High School a charter school?

No, Bowen High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bowen High School a Title I school?

No, Bowen High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bowen High School?

93.6% of students at Bowen High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
68 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
61 Good Transit
Bike Score
70 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,030/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
219
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Cook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
District Enrollment
322,809
Schools in District
643
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,699
District Rank
#122 of 621

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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