Needs Improvement
#3540 of 3,813 schools in IL
Bret Harte Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
1556 E 56th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Enrollment
353
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
353
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,540 of 3,813
In Chicago
#586 of 630
public schools
In district
#577 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very Good
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Bret Harte Elem School
Elementary School in Chicago · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Akiba-schechter Jewish Day School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Murray Elem Language Academy
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bret Harte Elem School
Bret Harte Elem School is a public elementary school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Bret Harte Elem School serves approximately 353 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Bret Harte Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #3,540 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Bret Harte Elem School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.9
- IL avg 6.2
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bret Harte Elem School — Students at Bret Harte Elem School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.5/10.
How Bret Harte Elem School Compares
See how Bret Harte Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1556 E 56th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bret Harte Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ANCONA SCHOOL (rated 9.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is AKIBA-SCHECHTER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHICAGO FREE SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| AKIBA-SCHECHTER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Chicago | 0.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Murray Elem Language Academy Chicago | 0.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Ray Elem School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 4.5 |
| UNIV OF CHICAGO LAB SCHOOL Chicago | 0.5 mi | 6.0 |
| ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Kenwood Academy High School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Carnegie Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Hyde Park Academy High School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Shoesmith Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| CHICAGO FREE SCHOOL Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.7 |
| MOUNT CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL Chicago | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| ANCONA SCHOOL Chicago | 1.0 mi | 9.2 |
| DREXEL CHURCH OF GOD LEARNING CENTER Chicago | 1.0 mi | — |
| CHURCH OF GOD OF CHICAGO Chicago | 1.0 mi | — |
| Kozminski Elem Community Academy Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Univ of Chicago Chtr-Woodlawn Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Wadsworth Elem School Chicago | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| HYDE PARK DAY SCHOOL Chicago | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Ariel Elem Community Academy Chicago | 1.3 mi | 3.1 |
| Univ of Chicago Chtr-Nth Kenwood Chicago | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60637 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,080
Median Home Value
$243,700
Median Rent
$1,170/mo
Population
52,418
College Educated
36.8%
Homeownership
26.1%
Avg Commute
32.5 min
Poverty Rate
32.3%
Median Age
31.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Barack H Obama Learning Academy Markham, IL | 3.9 |
| Cuffe Math-Sci Tech Elem Academy Chicago, IL | 3.9 |
| Erie Elem Charter School Chicago, IL | 3.9 |
| Forrestal Elem School Great Lakes, IL | 3.9 |
| Green W Elem School Chicago, IL | 3.9 |
| Hanover Countryside Elem School Streamwood, IL | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bret Harte Elem School
What grades does Bret Harte Elem School serve?
Bret Harte Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Bret Harte Elem School?
Bret Harte Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 353 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bret Harte Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Bret Harte Elem School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bret Harte Elem School rank in IL?
Bret Harte Elem School ranks #3,540 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Bret Harte Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bret Harte Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bret Harte Elem School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bret Harte Elem School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Bret Harte Elem School a charter school?
No, Bret Harte Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bret Harte Elem School a Title I school?
No, Bret Harte Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bret Harte Elem School?
74.2% of students at Bret Harte Elem 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 353
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.5%
- Phone
- (773) 535-0870
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #577 of 621
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