Very Good
#1219 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 32% in state
Dirksen Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
8601 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60656
Enrollment
1,213
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
1,213
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#1,219 of 3,813
In Chicago
#152 of 630
public schools
In district
#149 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
Academic performance
8.3 / 10
Excellent
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Dirksen Elem School
Elementary School in Chicago · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Pennoyer Elem School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Brickton Montessori School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Dirksen Elem School
Dirksen Elem School is a public elementary school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Dirksen Elem School serves approximately 1,213 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Dirksen Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,219 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Dirksen Elem School show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.0 · Very Good
- District avg 5.9
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
31% of students at Dirksen Elem School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Dirksen Elem School — Students at Dirksen Elem School score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.9%
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: 7.5/10.
How Dirksen Elem School Compares
See how Dirksen Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
8601 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60656
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dirksen Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. George Washington Elem School (rated 8.6/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Park Ridge), which scores notably higher. Another option is Theodore Roosevelt Elem School (rated 8.3/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Park Ridge), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BRICKTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pennoyer Elem School Norridge | 0.2 mi | 6.5 |
| BRICKTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Chicago | 0.4 mi | 7.3 |
| J Leigh Elem School Norridge | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| ST EUGENE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| ST SAVA ACADEMY Chicago | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| ST PAUL EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Chicago | 1.1 mi | — |
| MARY, SEAT OF WISDOM SCHOOL Park Ridge | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Theodore Roosevelt Elem School Park Ridge | 1.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Washington Elem School Schiller Park | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Canty Elem School Chicago | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Maine South High School Park Ridge | 1.9 mi | 9.1 |
| Ridgewood Comm High School Norridge | 1.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Oriole Park Elem School Chicago | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| J Giles Elem School Norridge | 1.7 mi | 8.0 |
| RESURRECTION COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL Chicago | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| ST FRANCIS BORGIA SCHOOL Chicago | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
| George Washington Elem School Park Ridge | 2.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Rosemont Elem School Rosemont | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Edison Park Elem School Chicago | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Lincoln Middle School Park Ridge | 2.4 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60656 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$88,000
Median Home Value
$344,400
Median Rent
$1,388/mo
Population
28,726
College Educated
41.7%
Homeownership
64.3%
Avg Commute
31.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Median Age
41.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Moving Everest Charter School Chicago, IL | 7.0 |
| C A Henning School Troy, IL | 7.1 |
| Chavez Elem Multicultural Acad Ct Chicago, IL | 6.9 |
| Marquette Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.9 |
| Palmer Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.9 |
| Peirce Elem Intl Studies School Chicago, IL | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dirksen Elem School
What grades does Dirksen Elem School serve?
Dirksen Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Dirksen Elem School?
Dirksen Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 1,213 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dirksen Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dirksen Elem School is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dirksen Elem School rank in IL?
Dirksen Elem School ranks #1,219 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Dirksen Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dirksen Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Dirksen Elem School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Dirksen Elem School has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Dirksen Elem School a charter school?
No, Dirksen Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dirksen Elem School a Title I school?
No, Dirksen Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dirksen Elem School?
77.9% of students at Dirksen 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
- 1,213
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 67
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.3%
- Phone
- (773) 534-1090
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #149 of 621
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