Average
#2186 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
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
491
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Joliet
#15 of 31
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,324 of 2,326
In district
#11 of 20
Joliet PSD 86
Academic growth
7.1 / 10
Strong
About M J Cunningham Elem Sch
M J Cunningham Elem Sch is a public elementary school in Joliet, Illinois, catering to students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 491 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, the school provides personalized attention in its large suburban setting. The dedicated staff includes 31 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support each child’s educational journey.
While M J Cunningham Elem Sch has room for academic growth, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.5 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.0 out of 10, it continues to focus on the development and well-being of its students. According to state rankings, the school sits at number 3481 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, indicating areas where improvement is needed but also highlighting ongoing efforts. M J Cunningham Elem Sch is situated in a bustling suburban area that offers a vibrant community atmosphere for both students and families alike.
Score Breakdown
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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: 5%).
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 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: 7.1/10.
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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 10% (2019) to 0.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 14% (2019) to 12% (2022).
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. Chaney-Monge School (rated 7.6/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Crest Hill), which scores notably higher. Another option is Farragut Elem School (rated 6.7/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Edna Keith Elem School (rated 6.7/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 6.7 |
| VILASECA JOSEPHINE CENTER Joliet | 1.0 mi | — |
| Chaney-Monge School Crest Hill | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Taft Elementary School Joliet | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Joliet Central High School Joliet | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Pershing Elem School Joliet | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Sator Sanchez Elem School Joliet | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| 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 | 6.6 |
| Hufford Junior High School Joliet | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Washington Jr High & Academy Prgm Joliet | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Lynne Thigpen Elem School Joliet | 2.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Joliet West High School Joliet | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Edna Keith Elem School Joliet | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding M J Cunningham Elem Sch has a median household income of $74,967. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $217,200, with a median rent of $1,145/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Big Hollow Elem School Ingleside, IL | 6.0 |
| Black Hawk Elem School Glendale Heights, IL | 6.0 |
| Bradwell Comm Arts & Sci Elem Sch Chicago, IL | 6.0 |
| Creekside Elem Elgin, IL | 6.0 |
| Cumberland Elem School Des Plaines, IL | 6.0 |
| Davis N Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.0 |
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 is ranked #2186 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is M J Cunningham Elem Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
M J Cunningham Elem Sch has a composite rating of 6.0 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 M J Cunningham Elem Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, M J Cunningham Elem Sch has 5.3% math proficiency and 10.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (1,601/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Joliet). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (815) 723-0169
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Joliet PSD 86- District Enrollment
- 9,449
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,414
- District Rank
- #11 of 20
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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