Very Good
#876 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 23% in state
Holmes Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
955 W Garfield Blvd, Chicago, IL 60621
Enrollment
128
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
128
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#131 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#560 of 2,326
In district
#130 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Holmes Elem School
Holmes Elem School is a regular public school located in Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Holmes Elem offers a diverse educational environment with an enrollment of 128 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention. The school houses 13 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic growth and social development of its young learners.
While Holmes Elem School’s MySchoolScout Rating is 4.1 out of 10 and its state ranking is #3021 out of 3819 schools in Illinois (placing it around the 21st percentile), the school focuses on providing a nurturing environment that prioritizes student development over test scores alone. In recent academic assessments, Holmes Elem School showed 4% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 2% proficiency or above in Math across all grades. Holmes Elem School is situated in the heart of Chicago, offering students the vibrant energy and cultural richness of a large city setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 128 students, Holmes Elem School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Holmes Elem 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Holmes Elem School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Holmes Elem School — Students at Holmes Elem School score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 5%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.3%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.8/10.
How Holmes Elem School Compares
See how Holmes Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 2.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 7.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2022).
Location
955 W Garfield Blvd, Chicago, IL 60621
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Holmes Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Langford A Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is VISITATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sherman Elem School (rated 7.4/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| VISITATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chicago | 0.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Sherman Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts Chicago | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| KIPP Chicago Chrtrs Bloom Campus Chicago | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Nicholson Tech Acad Elem Sch Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.4 |
| CS ACADEMY Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Libby Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Langford A Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Richards Career Academy HS Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Tilden Career Communty Academy HS Chicago | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| ACADEMY OF ST BENEDICT THE AFRICAN Chicago | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Sherwood Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| CS ACADEMY COLLEGE PREP Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Hamline Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Kershaw Elem School Chicago | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Urban Prep Chtr Acad Englewood HS Chicago | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Bass Elem School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| RYAN BANKS ACADEMY Chicago | 1.0 mi | — |
| Fulton Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| RYAN BANKS ACADEMY Chicago | 1.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60621 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$33,235
Median Home Value
$161,900
Median Rent
$1,017/mo
Population
27,318
College Educated
11.9%
Homeownership
25%
Avg Commute
39.2 min
Poverty Rate
29.9%
Median Age
39.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Holmes Elem School has a median household income of $33,235. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,900, with a median rent of $1,017/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 39 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 |
|---|---|
| BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Belleville, IL | 7.3 |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aurora, IL | 7.3 |
| Clay City Elem School Clay City, IL | 7.3 |
| Dr Donald Wharton Elem School Summit, IL | 7.3 |
| GUIDANCE EDUCATIONAL ACADEMY Chicago, IL | 7.3 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN Elmhurst, IL | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Holmes Elem School
What grades does Holmes Elem School serve?
Holmes Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Holmes Elem School?
Holmes Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 128 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Holmes Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Holmes Elem School is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Holmes Elem School rank in IL?
Holmes Elem School is ranked #876 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Holmes Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Holmes Elem School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Holmes Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Holmes Elem School has 2.5% math proficiency and 4.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Holmes Elem School a charter school?
No, Holmes Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Holmes Elem School a Title I school?
No, Holmes Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Holmes Elem School?
95.3% of students at Holmes 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 128
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 535-9025
- 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
- #130 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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