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#2064 of 3,813 schools in IL

Mcpherson Elem School

Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

4728 N Wolcott Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

Enrollment

735

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chicago

#385 of 629

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#1,266 of 2,326

In district

#380 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Mcpherson Elem School

McPherson Elem School is a regular public elementary school in Chicago, Illinois, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 735 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1, the school benefits from having 60 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse learning community. Located at 4728 N Wolcott Ave in a large city setting, McPherson Elem School offers a nurturing environment for young learners.

While the academic performance metrics show room for improvement—state ranking of #1701 out of 3819 schools and an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 22% and Math proficiency rate of 16%—the school is committed to fostering student development and progress. McPherson Elem School is situated in a bustling urban area, providing students with access to a wide range of cultural and educational resources. The school’s setting within Chicago offers a vibrant community rich in history and diversity, making it an engaging place for young minds to grow and learn.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency19%
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-10.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

Mcpherson Elem School — Students at Mcpherson Elem School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 16.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
20%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2022
ELA
19%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Mcpherson Elem School Compares

See how Mcpherson Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
46th percentile in IL
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
60 teachers

Location

4728 N Wolcott Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mcpherson Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL CHICAGO (rated 8.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ROGERS PARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST MATTHIAS SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Devry Advantage Academy High Schl Chicago 0.0 mi 6.4
LYCEE FRANCAIS DE CHICAGO Chicago 0.3 mi 7.8
RAVENSWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chicago 0.4 mi 8.1
Amundsen High School Chicago 0.5 mi 7.6
NORTH PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago 0.5 mi 7.0
PILGRIM LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago 0.6 mi 6.1
Ravenswood Elem School Chicago 0.6 mi 6.7
Chappell Elem School Chicago 0.6 mi 5.4
CHICAGO WALDORF SCHOOL Chicago 0.7 mi 8.8
THRESHOLDS Chicago 0.7 mi
GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL CHICAGO Chicago 0.8 mi 8.0
ST MATTHIAS SCHOOL Chicago 0.6 mi 7.6
ROGERS PARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Chicago 0.8 mi 7.7
METROPOLITAN SCHOOLHOUSE Chicago 0.7 mi
QUEEN OF ANGELS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago 0.7 mi 7.0
Courtenay Elem Language Arts Ctr Chicago 0.8 mi 6.7
Coonley Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 7.2
Lake View High School Chicago 1.0 mi 7.2
Asian Human Srvcs-Passage Chrtr Chicago 1.1 mi 4.9
Waters Elem School Chicago 0.8 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60640 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,030

Median Home Value

$363,300

Median Rent

$1,374/mo

Population

66,884

College Educated

62.6%

Homeownership

31.3%

Avg Commute

35.5 min

Poverty Rate

18.7%

Median Age

37.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mcpherson Elem School has a median household income of $71,030. It is a well-educated community where 63% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $363,300, with a median rent of $1,374/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.7%. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Central Park Elem School Midlothian, IL 6.1
Cloverdale Elem School Carol Stream, IL 6.1
Haines Elem School Chicago, IL 6.1
Hillside Elem School Hillside, IL 6.1
Irving Elem School Oak Park, IL 6.1
Komarek Elem School North Riverside, IL 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mcpherson Elem School

What grades does Mcpherson Elem School serve?

Mcpherson Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Mcpherson Elem School?

Mcpherson Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 735 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcpherson Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mcpherson Elem School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mcpherson Elem School rank in IL?

Mcpherson Elem School is ranked #2064 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Mcpherson Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mcpherson Elem School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Mcpherson Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mcpherson Elem School has 16.0% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mcpherson Elem School a charter school?

No, Mcpherson Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mcpherson Elem School a Title I school?

No, Mcpherson Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mcpherson Elem School?

50.1% of students at Mcpherson Elem School 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

City Safety
High (4,030/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
735
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
60
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Cook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
District Enrollment
322,809
Schools in District
643
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,699
District Rank
#380 of 621

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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