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#2178 of 3,813 schools in IL

J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr

School · J S Morton HSD 201

1801 S 55th Ave, Cicero, IL 60804

Enrollment

1,038

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

5.9

Grades

9th – 9th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#2,178 of 3,813

In Cicero

#9 of 17

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

J S Morton HSD 201

Academic performance

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr

5.9/10

School in Cicero · grades 9th – 9th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Unity JR High School

5.2/10

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

Sherlock Elem School

4.0/10

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

About J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr

J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr is a public school in Cicero, IL, part of J S Morton HSD 201. J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr serves approximately 1,038 students, and covers grades 9th-9th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,178 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr show 18% math proficiency (2014 EdFacts) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (2014 EdFacts).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • IL avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

38% of students at J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr 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 ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics7.9Very Good33%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18% (2014 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency28% (2014 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency23% (2014 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)6% (model expectation from 2014 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+16.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College Readiness4.9Below Average40%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation19.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average27%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,016
Chronic Absenteeism37.7%

J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr — Students at J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr score 23% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).

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 IL EDFACTS (2013-14)

Math Proficiency 18.0% (2014 EdFacts)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.0% (2014 EdFacts)
School
State
N/A

Based on 2 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

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
5.9/10
43th percentile in IL
Academic
7.9/10
Very Good
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.7
Sports
11
5 boys' · 6 girls'

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
76 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
19.7% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics11sports offered
5 boys'·6 girls'·11 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Clark Acad Prep Magnet High Schl (rated 7.0/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Chicago), which scores notably higher. Another option is Columbus East Elem School (rated 7.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, J Sterling Morton East High Sch (rated 6.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly 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 5.2
Sherlock Elem School Cicero 0.5 mi 4.0
T Roosevelt Elem School Cicero 0.6 mi 5.3
Woodrow Wilson Elem School Cicero 0.7 mi 5.0
Liberty Elem School Cicero 0.8 mi 6.2
Daniel Burnham Elem School Cicero 0.7 mi 5.9
Cicero West Elementary School Cicero 0.8 mi 6.4
ST FRANCES OF ROME Cicero 0.8 mi 5.0
Clark G R Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 5.7
Plato Learning Acad Elem School Chicago 1.1 mi 3.0
J Sterling Morton East High Sch Cicero 1.0 mi 6.6
Warren Park School Cicero 0.9 mi 6.4
Clark Acad Prep Magnet High Schl Chicago 1.2 mi 7.0
Goodwin Elementary School Cicero 1.2 mi 5.4
Leland Elem School Chicago 1.3 mi 2.4
Columbus East Elem School Cicero 1.4 mi 7.0
Columbus West Elementary School Cicero 1.4 mi 4.8
Cicero East Elem School Cicero 1.4 mi 6.5
CHRIST THE KING JESUIT COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Chicago 1.4 mi 5.9
Depriest Elem School Chicago 1.5 mi 4.8

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

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 ranks #2,178 of 3,813 schools in IL.

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

J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr?

Based on loaded state assessment records, J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr has 18% math proficiency (2014 EdFacts) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (2014 EdFacts).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.7%

District

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

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