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Below Average

#3164 of 3,813 schools in IL

Epic Academy High School

High School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

8255 S Houston Ave, Chicago, IL 60617

Charter

Enrollment

279

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

4.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chicago

#562 of 629

public schools

Illinois high schools

#616 of 703

In district

#554 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Epic Academy High School

EPIC Academy High School is a charter school located in Chicago, Illinois, at 8255 S Houston Ave. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 279 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.2:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. EPIC Academy's academic performance is currently at the lower end of the spectrum in Illinois, ranking 2862 out of 3819 schools statewide, which places it around the 25th percentile.

The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.3 out of 10, and its academic score is 1.1 out of 10. In terms of proficiency levels in ELA/Reading and Math, only 7% and 5% of students are proficient or above, respectively. Despite these challenges, EPIC Academy High School remains committed to providing a supportive learning environment that focuses on student development and growth.

The school is situated in the heart of Chicago, offering its students access to a variety of city resources and cultural experiences.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Epic Academy 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.

Epic Academy High School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.79 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency2.5%
Overall Proficiency3%
Expected (poverty-adj.)7%
vs. Expected-4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College Readiness1.3Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

Epic Academy High School — Students at Epic Academy High School score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 7%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 5.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 7.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
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: 7.2/10.

How Epic Academy High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
17th percentile in IL
Academic
3.3/10
3.3/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

8255 S Houston Ave, Chicago, IL 60617

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Epic Academy High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Bowen High School (rated 7.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Noble St Chtr-Baker Campus (rated 6.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, YCCS-Sullivan House Alt HS (rated 5.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Ninos Heroes Elem Academic Ctr Chicago 0.2 mi 7.6
Sullivan Elem School Chicago 0.4 mi 6.7
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL - EXCHANGE Chicago 0.6 mi 5.7
Great Lakes Academy Charter ES Chicago 0.5 mi 6.7
Bradwell Comm Arts & Sci Elem Sch Chicago 0.8 mi 6.0
Thorp J N Elem School Chicago 0.8 mi 6.2
LEARN Chtr - South Chicago Campus Chicago 0.8 mi 5.0
Bowen High School Chicago 0.8 mi 7.4
Noble St Chtr-Baker Campus Chicago 0.8 mi 6.6
Mireles Elem Academy Chicago 1.0 mi 7.5
Coles Elem Language Academy Chicago 0.8 mi 4.2
Powell Elem Paideia Comm Academy Chicago 1.1 mi 6.8
SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SERVICES - SOUTH SHORE Chicago 1.2 mi
Hoyne Elem School Chicago 1.2 mi 4.2
ST JUDE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE Chicago 1.2 mi
SACRED HEART SCHOOL-96TH Chicago 1.6 mi 6.4
Chicago Vocational Career Acad HS Chicago 1.3 mi 5.4
Mann Elem School Chicago 1.3 mi 7.4
Marsh Elem School Chicago 2.0 mi 6.5
YCCS-Sullivan House Alt HS Chicago 1.5 mi 5.7

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 Epic Academy 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
Dwight High School Dwight, IL 4.9
Stark County High School Toulon, IL 4.9
Tuscola High School Tuscola, IL 4.9
Woodlawn High School Woodlawn, IL 4.9
MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL Breese, IL 5.0
Maroa-Forsyth Senior High Sch Maroa, IL 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Epic Academy High School

What grades does Epic Academy High School serve?

Epic Academy High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Epic Academy High School?

Epic Academy High School has an enrollment of approximately 279 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Epic Academy High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Epic Academy High School is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Epic Academy High School rank in IL?

Epic Academy High School is ranked #3164 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Epic Academy High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Epic Academy High School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Epic Academy High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Epic Academy High School has 5.0% math proficiency and 7.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Epic Academy High School a charter school?

Yes, Epic Academy High School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Epic Academy High School a Title I school?

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

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

92.1% of students at Epic Academy 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

City Safety
High (4,030/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
279
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.1%
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
#554 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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