Average
#1685 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 44% in state
J Sterling Morton East High Sch
High School · J S Morton HSD 201
2423 S Austin Blvd, Cicero, IL 60804
Enrollment
3,474
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
10th – 12th
Enrollment
3,474
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
10th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cicero
#5 of 17
public schools
Illinois high schools
#294 of 703
In district
#2 of 3
J S Morton HSD 201
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About J Sterling Morton East High Sch
J Sterling Morton East High School serves 3,474 students in grades 10 through 12 in Cicero, Illinois. This large public high school operates with a student-teacher ratio of 19.5:1, supported by 178 full-time equivalent teachers. The school faces significant academic challenges, with only 10% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels.
Currently ranked #3,615 out of 3,819 Illinois high schools, Morton East is working with considerable room for academic growth and focusing on student development in a demanding educational environment. Located at 2423 S Austin Boulevard, the school serves a community where the median household income is $64,325 and the poverty rate stands at 13.1%. The surrounding neighborhood has a college education rate of 11% for residents with bachelor's degrees or higher, with median home values around $224,300.
Despite the academic challenges, Morton East's substantial size allows it to serve a large portion of Cicero's educational needs. The school's significant enrollment reflects its important role as a major educational institution in this Cook County community. Morton East operates within a large suburban setting that serves over 84,000 residents in the 60804 ZIP code area.
What Parents Should Know
J Sterling Morton East High Sch is a large school with 3,474 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
Score Breakdown
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J Sterling Morton East High Sch — Students at J Sterling Morton East High Sch score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 9%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.5%
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: 9.0/10.
How J Sterling Morton East High Sch Compares
See how J Sterling Morton East High Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 7% (2019) to 7% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 13% (2019) to 10% (2022).
Location
2423 S Austin Blvd, Cicero, IL 60804
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering J Sterling Morton East High Sch may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Freedom Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Berwyn), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Warren Park School (rated 6.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Columbus East Elem School (rated 6.8/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cicero, see our Cicero schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Goodwin Elementary School Cicero | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Woodrow Wilson Elem School Cicero | 0.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Komensky Elem School Berwyn | 0.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Freedom Middle School Berwyn | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Sherlock Elem School Cicero | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| ST FRANCES OF ROME Cicero | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Hiawatha Elem School Berwyn | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Daniel Burnham Elem School Cicero | 1.1 mi | 3.7 |
| Columbus West Elementary School Cicero | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| ST ODILO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Berwyn | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr Cicero | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Lincoln Middle School Berwyn | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Columbus East Elem School Cicero | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Unity Jr High School Cicero | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Karel Havlicek Elem School Berwyn | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Warren Park School Cicero | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Abe Lincoln Elem School Cicero | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| OUR LADY OF CHARITY SCHOOL Cicero | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Clark G R Elem School Chicago | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Piper School Berwyn | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60804 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,548
Median Home Value
$236,000
Median Rent
$1,121/mo
Population
83,223
College Educated
11%
Homeownership
54.6%
Avg Commute
29.7 min
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Median Age
34.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding J Sterling Morton East High Sch has a median household income of $68,548. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,000, with a median rent of $1,121/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bartlett High School Bartlett, IL | 6.5 |
| Comm H S Dist 99 - South High Sch Downers Grove, IL | 6.4 |
| Moline Sr High School Moline, IL | 6.6 |
| Plainfield North High School Plainfield, IL | 6.6 |
| Zion-Benton Twnshp Hi Sch Zion, IL | 6.4 |
| Dundee-Crown High School Carpentersville, IL | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about J Sterling Morton East High Sch
What grades does J Sterling Morton East High Sch serve?
J Sterling Morton East High Sch serves students in grades 10th through 12th.
How many students attend J Sterling Morton East High Sch?
J Sterling Morton East High Sch has an enrollment of approximately 3,474 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at J Sterling Morton East High Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at J Sterling Morton East High Sch is 19.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does J Sterling Morton East High Sch rank in IL?
J Sterling Morton East High Sch is ranked #1685 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is J Sterling Morton East High Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
J Sterling Morton East High Sch has a composite rating of 6.5 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 J Sterling Morton East High Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, J Sterling Morton East High Sch has 7.0% math proficiency and 11.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is J Sterling Morton East High Sch a charter school?
No, J Sterling Morton East High Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is J Sterling Morton East High Sch a Title I school?
No, J Sterling Morton East High Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J Sterling Morton East High Sch?
87.5% of students at J Sterling Morton East High Sch 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
- Walk Score
- 82 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 47 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 63 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,593/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cicero). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 10th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 3,474
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 178
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 87.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (708) 780-4000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
J S Morton HSD 201- District Enrollment
- 8,009
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,016
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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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