Below Average
#3369 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
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
353
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#581 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#2,004 of 2,326
In district
#573 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Bret Harte Elem School
Bret Harte Elem School is a regular public school located in Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Bret Harte offers a broad educational experience within its diverse urban setting. With an enrollment of 353 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1, the school benefits from having 25 full-time equivalent teachers to support its academic and social programs.
Bret Harte Elem School has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10, placing it in the 8th percentile among Illinois schools, with room for improvement in overall academic performance. On standardized tests, only 18% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and just 12% are proficient or above in Math. While Bret Harte Elem School is focusing on student development and has a supportive teaching staff, the school's current test scores indicate areas where further growth is needed.
Located at 1556 E 56th St in Chicago’s vibrant urban landscape, the school serves a community within a bustling city environment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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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 5 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: 3.7/10.
How Bret Harte Elem School Compares
See how Bret Harte Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 20% (2019) to 5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 12% (2022).
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 | 5.9 |
| Ray Elem School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 5.4 |
| 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 | 6.9 |
| Carnegie Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Hyde Park Academy High School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Shoesmith Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| 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 | 6.5 |
| Univ of Chicago Chtr-Woodlawn Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Wadsworth Elem School Chicago | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| HYDE PARK DAY SCHOOL Chicago | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Ariel Elem Community Academy Chicago | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Univ of Chicago Chtr-Nth Kenwood Chicago | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bret Harte Elem School has a median household income of $42,080. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $243,700, with a median rent of $1,170/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Acero Chtr - Carlos Fuentes Elem Chicago, IL | 4.6 |
| Algonquin Road Elem School Fox River Grove, IL | 4.6 |
| Auburn Elem School Auburn, IL | 4.6 |
| Balmoral Elem Sch Crete, IL | 4.6 |
| Bonfield Grade School Bonfield, IL | 4.6 |
| Brighton North Primary School Brighton, IL | 4.6 |
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 is ranked #3369 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Bret Harte Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bret Harte Elem School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Bret Harte Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bret Harte Elem School has 12.5% math proficiency and 18.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (4,030/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (773) 535-0870
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #573 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 methodologyRelated reading
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