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#2933 of 3,813 schools in IL

J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr

School · J S Morton HSD 201

1801 S 55th Ave, Cicero, IL 60804

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 15 schools in Cicero. Learn more

Enrollment

1,038

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

5.2

Grades

9th – 9th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cicero

#12 of 17

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

J S Morton HSD 201

About J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr

J Sterling Morton Freshman Center serves 1,038 ninth-grade students in Cicero, Illinois, operating as a dedicated freshman campus within the larger district structure. With 76 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1, allowing for more individualized attention during this critical transition year to high school. The school earned a MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #2052 out of 3819 Illinois schools, placing it in the 46th percentile statewide.

This specialized freshman center model focuses exclusively on helping students navigate their first year of high school, providing a more intimate environment before students typically move to the main high school campus. Located at 1801 S 55th Ave, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $64,325 and median home values average $224,300. The surrounding ZIP code has a population of 84,189, with 11% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 13.1%.

The freshman center model allows students to develop academic skills and adjust to high school expectations with additional support structures. J Sterling Morton Freshman Center sits in Cicero's large suburban setting, serving families in this established Cook County community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics4.3Below Average29%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on 15 schools in Cicero
College Readiness4.9Below Average43%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation19.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.5Above Average29%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,296

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr Compares

See how J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
23th percentile in IL
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
76 teachers

Location

1801 S 55th Ave, Cicero, IL 60804

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr may also want to explore other schools in the area. Liberty Elem School (rated 7.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Depriest Elem School (rated 7.3/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Chicago), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Clark Acad Prep Magnet High Schl (rated 7.2/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Chicago), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cicero, see our Cicero schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Unity Jr High School Cicero 0.3 mi 6.2
Sherlock Elem School Cicero 0.5 mi 6.6
T Roosevelt Elem School Cicero 0.6 mi 4.5
Woodrow Wilson Elem School Cicero 0.7 mi 5.3
Liberty Elem School Cicero 0.8 mi 7.5
Daniel Burnham Elem School Cicero 0.7 mi 3.7
Cicero West Elementary School Cicero 0.8 mi 4.1
ST FRANCES OF ROME Cicero 0.8 mi 5.0
Clark G R Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 6.2
Plato Learning Acad Elem School Chicago 1.1 mi 6.1
J Sterling Morton East High Sch Cicero 1.0 mi 6.5
Warren Park School Cicero 0.9 mi 6.9
Clark Acad Prep Magnet High Schl Chicago 1.2 mi 7.2
Goodwin Elementary School Cicero 1.2 mi 4.9
Leland Elem School Chicago 1.3 mi 7.0
Columbus East Elem School Cicero 1.4 mi 6.8
Columbus West Elementary School Cicero 1.4 mi 5.8
Cicero East Elem School Cicero 1.4 mi 5.6
CHRIST THE KING JESUIT COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Chicago 1.4 mi 5.9
Depriest Elem School Chicago 1.5 mi 7.3

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 Freshman Cntr 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr

What grades does J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr serve?

J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr serves students in grades 9th through 9th.

How many students attend J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr?

J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr has an enrollment of approximately 1,038 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr?

The student-teacher ratio at J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr is 13.7:1. 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 Freshman Cntr rank in IL?

J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr is ranked #2933 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr's MySchoolScout rating?

J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr has a composite rating of 5.2 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.

Is J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr a charter school?

No, J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr a Title I school?

No, J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr?

93.5% of students at J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr 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
57 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
63 Good Transit
Bike Score
52 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,593/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cicero). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 9th
Enrollment
1,038
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
76
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Cook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

J S Morton HSD 201
District Enrollment
8,009
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,016
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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