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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.6Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency2.5%
Overall Proficiency3%
Expected (poverty-adj.)5%
vs. Expected-3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

Holmes Elem School — Students at Holmes Elem School score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 5%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 2.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 4.2%
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
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
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: 8.8/10.

How Holmes Elem School Compares

See how Holmes Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
77th percentile in IL
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
63 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
59 Good Transit
Bike Score
65 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
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
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
#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 methodology

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