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Needs Improvement

#3601 of 3,813 schools in IL

Howe Elem School

Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

720 N Lorel Ave, Chicago, IL 60644

Enrollment

354

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#3,601 of 3,813

In Chicago

#600 of 630

public schools

In district

#591 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

School environment

7.0 / 10

Very Good

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Howe Elem School

3.7/10

Elementary School in Chicago · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Austin Career Education Center

5.4/10

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

Moving Everest Charter School

7.0/10

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

About Howe Elem School

Howe Elem School is a public elementary school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Howe Elem School serves approximately 354 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Howe Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #3,601 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Howe Elem School show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.2 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.9
  • IL avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

46% of students at Howe 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 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-6.65 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency3% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency3% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)5% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,699
Chronic Absenteeism46%

Howe Elem School — Students at Howe Elem School score 3% 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

97.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 29.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 20.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
74%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
66%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
60%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
28%
2013
Math
49%
ELA
24%
2014
Math
8%
ELA
10%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
11%
2016
Math
8%
ELA
7%
2017
Math
5%
ELA
7%
2018
Math
3%
ELA
5%
2019
Math
3%
ELA
5%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
ELA
3%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How Howe Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
6th percentile in IL
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.0/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.0%

Location

720 N Lorel Ave, Chicago, IL 60644

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Howe Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. KIPP Academy Chicago Campus (rated 7.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Moving Everest Charter School (rated 7.0/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lewis Elem School (rated 6.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.9 mi
School Distance Rating
AUSTIN CAREER EDUCATION CENTER Chicago 0.1 mi 5.4
Moving Everest Charter School Chicago 0.4 mi 7.0
Hay Elem Community Academy Chicago 0.4 mi 4.9
Brunson Math & Sci Specialty Elem Chicago 0.4 mi 5.5
Douglass Academy High School Chicago 0.4 mi 7.2
Austin College and Career Acad HS Chicago 0.6 mi 6.3
Ellington Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 4.7
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago 0.6 mi 5.5
Catalyst Charter-Circle Rock ES Chicago 0.8 mi 4.9
Spencer Technology Acad Elem Sch Chicago 0.8 mi 4.9
Nash Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 5.1
KIPP Academy Chicago Campus Chicago 0.7 mi 7.5
HOPE EXCEL REACHING THE WORLD ACADEMY Chicago 0.7 mi
McNair Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 6.3
YCCS West Chicago 0.8 mi 6.7
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago 1.0 mi
Lewis Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 6.9
ST ANGELA SCHOOL Chicago 0.9 mi 5.5
Young Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 4.3
CHANCE AFTER CHANCE COLLEGE PREPARATORY Chicago 0.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60644 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$37,952

Median Home Value

$238,300

Median Rent

$1,096/mo

Population

48,317

College Educated

11.3%

Homeownership

29.7%

Avg Commute

37.9 min

Poverty Rate

29.1%

Median Age

37

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Academy for Global Citizenship Chicago, IL 3.7
Beidler Elem School Chicago, IL 3.7
Cather Elem School Chicago, IL 3.7
Dunbar Elem School East Saint Louis, IL 3.7
Gavin Central Elementary School Ingleside, IL 3.7
George O Barr School Silvis, IL 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Howe Elem School

What grades does Howe Elem School serve?

Howe Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Howe Elem School?

Howe Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 354 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Howe Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Howe Elem School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Howe Elem School rank in IL?

Howe Elem School ranks #3,601 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Howe Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Howe Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Howe Elem School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Howe Elem School has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Howe Elem School a charter school?

No, Howe Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Howe Elem School a Title I school?

No, Howe Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Howe Elem School?

97.2% of students at Howe 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
80 Very Walkable
Transit Score
65 Good Transit
Bike Score
68 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
354
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
97.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Cook County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.0%

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