Below Average
#3312 of 3,813 schools in IL
M J Cunningham Elem Sch
Elementary School · Joliet PSD 86
500 Moran St, Joliet, IL 60435
Enrollment
491
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
491
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,312 of 3,813
In Joliet
#20 of 31
public schools
In district
#11 of 20
Joliet PSD 86
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M J Cunningham Elem Sch
Elementary School in Joliet · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cathedral of St Raymond School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Mary Nativity School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About M J Cunningham Elem Sch
M J Cunningham Elem Sch is a public elementary school in Joliet, IL, part of Joliet PSD 86. M J Cunningham Elem Sch serves approximately 491 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. M J Cunningham Elem Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #3,312 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for M J Cunningham Elem Sch show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.4 · Below Average
- District avg 4.5
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
34% of students at M J Cunningham Elem Sch 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
M J Cunningham Elem Sch — Students at M J Cunningham Elem Sch score 6% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.7/10.
How M J Cunningham Elem Sch Compares
See how M J Cunningham Elem Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
500 Moran St, Joliet, IL 60435
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering M J Cunningham Elem Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST PAUL THE APOSTLE SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARY NATIVITY SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chaney-Monge School (rated 6.2/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Crest Hill), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Joliet, see our Joliet schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CATHEDRAL OF ST RAYMOND SCHOOL Joliet | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| ST MARY NATIVITY SCHOOL Joliet | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Joliet | 0.7 mi | — |
| Farragut Elem School Joliet | 0.7 mi | 3.6 |
| VILASECA JOSEPHINE CENTER Joliet | 1.0 mi | — |
| Chaney-Monge School Crest Hill | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Taft Elementary School Joliet | 1.2 mi | 3.2 |
| Joliet Central High School Joliet | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Pershing Elem School Joliet | 1.5 mi | 2.9 |
| Sator Sanchez Elem School Joliet | 1.4 mi | 3.7 |
| JOLIET CATHOLIC ACADEMY Joliet | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| UCP-CDS-MELVIN J LARSON SCHOOL Joliet | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| ST PAUL THE APOSTLE SCHOOL Joliet | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Dirksen Junior High School Joliet | 1.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Hufford Junior High School Joliet | 1.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Washington Jr High & Academy Prgm Joliet | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Lynne Thigpen Elem School Joliet | 2.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Joliet West High School Joliet | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Edna Keith Elem School Joliet | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Joliet | 1.8 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60435 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,967
Median Home Value
$217,200
Median Rent
$1,145/mo
Population
48,521
College Educated
23.1%
Homeownership
66.6%
Avg Commute
25.1 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
37.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adm Richard E Byrd Elem School Elk Grove Village, IL | 4.4 |
| Bethalto East Primary School Bethalto, IL | 4.4 |
| Cassell Elem School Chicago, IL | 4.4 |
| Cedar Ridge Elem School Bloomington, IL | 4.4 |
| Centennial Elem School Streator, IL | 4.4 |
| Devonshire Elem School Skokie, IL | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about M J Cunningham Elem Sch
What grades does M J Cunningham Elem Sch serve?
M J Cunningham Elem Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend M J Cunningham Elem Sch?
M J Cunningham Elem Sch has an enrollment of approximately 491 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at M J Cunningham Elem Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at M J Cunningham Elem Sch is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does M J Cunningham Elem Sch rank in IL?
M J Cunningham Elem Sch ranks #3,312 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is M J Cunningham Elem Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
M J Cunningham Elem Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 M J Cunningham Elem Sch?
Based on loaded state assessment records, M J Cunningham Elem Sch has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is M J Cunningham Elem Sch a charter school?
No, M J Cunningham Elem Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is M J Cunningham Elem Sch a Title I school?
No, M J Cunningham Elem Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for M J Cunningham Elem Sch?
95.3% of students at M J Cunningham Elem 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 491
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Will County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.8%
- Phone
- (815) 723-0169
Resources & Links
District
Joliet PSD 86- District Enrollment
- 9,449
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,414
- District Rank
- #11 of 20
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