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Very Good

#664 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 17% in state

Curie Metropolitan High School

High School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

4959 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60632

Enrollment

3,136

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

7.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chicago

#86 of 629

public schools

Illinois high schools

#111 of 703

In district

#85 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

Academic growth

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Curie Metropolitan High School

Curie Metropolitan High School serves 3,136 students in grades 9-12 on Chicago's southwest side, making it one of the city's larger public high schools. With 199 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, providing reasonable class sizes for individual attention. Academically, Curie Metropolitan faces significant challenges, with only 10% of students performing at proficient levels in English Language Arts across grade levels.

The school ranks in the 8th percentile statewide among Illinois high schools, indicating substantial room for academic growth and development. These performance metrics reflect the broader educational needs within the school community. Located at 4959 S Archer Avenue in the 60632 ZIP code, the school sits in a working-class neighborhood where the median household income is $53,966 and median home values average $226,200.

The surrounding community of over 86,000 residents shows a 15% poverty rate, with 13% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher. These demographic factors often influence educational outcomes and highlight the importance of strong community support for student success. Curie Metropolitan High School serves as an anchor institution in this diverse Chicago neighborhood, working to provide educational opportunities for families in this large city setting.

What Parents Should Know

Curie Metropolitan High School is a large school with 3,136 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.42 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)9%
vs. Expected+0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness9.8Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation26.8%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

Curie Metropolitan High School — Students at Curie Metropolitan High School score 10% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 9%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 11.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 10.3%
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
14%
ELA
11%
2021*
Math
9%
ELA
10%
2022
ELA
10%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Curie Metropolitan High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
83th percentile in IL
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
199 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
26.8% participation·201 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

4959 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60632

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Curie Metropolitan High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Acero Chtr Netrk - Major Garcia (rated 7.7/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Hancock College Preparatory HS (rated 7.2/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Acero Chtr Sch Netwrk- Victoria (rated 6.6/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Edwards Elem School Chicago 0.3 mi 4.7
Hancock College Preparatory HS Chicago 0.7 mi 7.2
Acero Chtr - SPC Zizumbo Elem Chicago 0.6 mi 5.4
Acero Chtr Netrk - Major Garcia Chicago 0.6 mi 7.7
Acero Chtr Network - PFC Torress Chicago 0.6 mi 3.8
LOS PEQUENOS ANGELITOS Chicago 0.7 mi
Acero Chtr Sch Netwrk- Victoria Chicago 0.6 mi 6.6
ST RICHARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago 0.6 mi 5.1
Solorio Academy High School Chicago 0.7 mi 6.5
Acero Chtr Network - Jovita Idar Chicago 0.7 mi 4.9
Sandoval Elem School Chicago 0.8 mi 4.4
Hernandez Middle School Chicago 0.8 mi 7.5
Peck Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 4.3
Sawyer Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 5.5
Pasteur Elem School Chicago 1.2 mi 5.4
Richardson Middle School Chicago 1.3 mi 6.9
Academy for Global Citizenship Chicago 1.0 mi 6.2
ST GALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago 1.1 mi 5.4
Columbia Explorers Elem Academy Chicago 1.1 mi 5.1
Monarcas Academy Chicago 1.2 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60632 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,576

Median Home Value

$240,600

Median Rent

$1,057/mo

Population

87,831

College Educated

13.3%

Homeownership

57.9%

Avg Commute

32.6 min

Poverty Rate

15.4%

Median Age

34.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Curie Metropolitan High School has a median household income of $60,576. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $240,600, with a median rent of $1,057/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.4%. 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
Glenbard North High School Carol Stream, IL 7.6
Lyons Twp High Sch La Grange, IL 7.6
Prospect High School Mt. Prospect, IL 7.6
Huntley High School Huntley, IL 7.5
South Elgin High School South Elgin, IL 7.5
Bolingbrook High School Bolingbrook, IL 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Curie Metropolitan High School

What grades does Curie Metropolitan High School serve?

Curie Metropolitan High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Curie Metropolitan High School?

Curie Metropolitan High School has an enrollment of approximately 3,136 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Curie Metropolitan High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Curie Metropolitan High School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Curie Metropolitan High School rank in IL?

Curie Metropolitan High School is ranked #664 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Curie Metropolitan High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Curie Metropolitan High School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Curie Metropolitan High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Curie Metropolitan High School has 11.5% math proficiency and 10.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Curie Metropolitan High School a charter school?

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

Is Curie Metropolitan High School a Title I school?

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

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

87.2% of students at Curie Metropolitan 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
82 Very Walkable
Transit Score
66 Good Transit
Bike Score
63 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
3,136
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
199
Free/Reduced Lunch
87.2%
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
#85 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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