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Below Average

#3400 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

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#3,400 of 3,813

In Chicago

#568 of 630

public schools

In district

#559 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Epic Academy High School

4.2/10

High School in Chicago · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ninos Heroes Elem Academic Ctr

4.7/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Sullivan Elem School

6.9/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Epic Academy High School

Epic Academy High School is a public high school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Epic Academy High School serves approximately 279 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Epic Academy High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #3,400 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Epic Academy High School show 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2021) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022).

How it compares2.3 pts below district
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • IL avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Epic Academy High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Epic Academy High School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

86% of students at Epic Academy High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.22 pts/yr
Data Period2011–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency2.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency3% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)7% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College Readiness1.3Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,699
Chronic Absenteeism86.4%

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 9.1% (multi-year average, 2011-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 13.0% (multi-year average, 2011-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 23 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2011
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2012
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2013
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2018
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
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: 9.7/10.

How Epic Academy High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
11th percentile in IL
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Sports
7
3 boys' · 4 girls'
Advanced STEM
2/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
86.4%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics7sports offered
3 boys'·4 girls'·9 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses2 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Noble St Chtr-Baker Campus (rated 6.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bowen High School (rated 6.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, YCCS-Sullivan House Alt HS (rated 5.2/10, 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 4.7
Sullivan Elem School Chicago 0.4 mi 6.9
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL - EXCHANGE Chicago 0.6 mi 5.7
Great Lakes Academy Charter ES Chicago 0.5 mi 4.9
Bradwell Comm Arts & Sci Elem Sch Chicago 0.8 mi 5.3
Thorp J N Elem School Chicago 0.8 mi 5.7
LEARN Chtr - South Chicago Campus Chicago 0.8 mi 7.1
Bowen High School Chicago 0.8 mi 6.2
Noble St Chtr-Baker Campus Chicago 0.8 mi 6.7
Mireles Elem Academy Chicago 1.0 mi 6.3
Coles Elem Language Academy Chicago 0.8 mi 4.0
Powell Elem Paideia Comm Academy Chicago 1.1 mi 3.3
SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SERVICES - SOUTH SHORE Chicago 1.2 mi
Hoyne Elem School Chicago 1.2 mi 4.3
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 4.5
Mann Elem School Chicago 1.3 mi 6.6
Marsh Elem School Chicago 2.0 mi 4.8
YCCS-Sullivan House Alt HS Chicago 1.5 mi 5.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Chester High School Chester, IL 4.2
Paris Cooperative High School 95 Paris, IL 4.2
Villa Grove High School Villa Grove, IL 4.3
ACCELERATION ACADEMIES LLC HOMESTEAD Chicago, IL 4.5
Hirsch Metropolitan High School Chicago, IL 4.6
Neoga Jr/Sr High School Neoga, IL 4.6

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 ranks #3,400 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Epic Academy High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Epic Academy High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Epic Academy High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Epic Academy High School has 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2021) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022).

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

Walk Score
65 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
63 Good Transit
Bike Score
67 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
86.4%

How we rate schools

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