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Average

#1846 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 48% in state

Okeeffe Elem School

Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

6940 S Merrill Ave, Chicago, IL 60649

Enrollment

513

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chicago

#345 of 629

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#1,136 of 2,326

In district

#340 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Okeeffe Elem School

O’Keeffe Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, O’Keeffe offers a diverse educational environment with an enrollment of 513 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1. The school has 34 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to supporting the academic needs of its young learners.

With a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.5 out of 10, O’Keeffe Elem School is ranked at #3454 among Illinois schools, placing it in the bottom tenth percentile according to state rankings. The school’s Academic Score stands at 1.4 out of 10, with both reading and math proficiency levels at around 5% across all grades. While these scores indicate room for academic growth, O’Keeffe Elem School continues to focus on student development and providing a supportive learning environment.

O’Keeffe Elem School is situated in the heart of Chicago’s dynamic city landscape, offering students unique opportunities within its urban setting.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Okeeffe Elem School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency5%
Overall Proficiency4%
Expected (poverty-adj.)11%
vs. Expected-7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

Okeeffe Elem School — Students at Okeeffe Elem School score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 11%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 4.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 5.2%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
7%
ELA
8%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
ELA
5%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Okeeffe Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
52th percentile in IL
Academic
2.9/10
2.9/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

6940 S Merrill Ave, Chicago, IL 60649

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Okeeffe Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Madison Elem School (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mann Elem School (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Parkside Elem Community Academy (rated 7.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
STAIR STEP VILLA NURSERY & KINDERGARTEN Chicago 0.3 mi
Bouchet Elem Math & Science Acad Chicago 0.5 mi 5.7
Parkside Elem Community Academy Chicago 0.5 mi 7.0
South Shore Intl Col Prep HS Chicago 0.7 mi 7.4
Art in Motion Charter School Chicago 0.8 mi 4.3
SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY SERVICES - SOUTH SHORE Chicago 0.9 mi
South Shore Fine Arts Elem Sch Chicago 0.9 mi 7.0
ST JUDE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE Chicago 1.2 mi
WEE CARE NURSERY SCHOOL Chicago 1.2 mi
Powell Elem Paideia Comm Academy Chicago 1.0 mi 6.8
Madison Elem School Chicago 1.1 mi 7.6
Hyde Park Academy High School Chicago 1.2 mi 7.0
MOUNT CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL Chicago 1.1 mi 7.8
Mann Elem School Chicago 1.4 mi 7.4
Bradwell Comm Arts & Sci Elem Sch Chicago 1.3 mi 6.0
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago 1.2 mi 3.5
Woodlawn Elem Community School Chicago 1.1 mi 4.6
YCCS-Sullivan House Alt HS Chicago 1.6 mi 5.7
Carnegie Elem School Chicago 1.4 mi 6.6
Wadsworth Elem School Chicago 1.5 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60649 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$40,142

Median Home Value

$199,500

Median Rent

$1,066/mo

Population

48,720

College Educated

25.2%

Homeownership

25.1%

Avg Commute

38.7 min

Poverty Rate

30%

Median Age

39.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Okeeffe Elem School has a median household income of $40,142. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $199,500, with a median rent of $1,066/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 39 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
CICS - Bucktown Campus Chicago, IL 6.3
Caroline Sibley Elem School Calumet City, IL 6.3
Carruthers Elementary School Murphysboro, IL 6.3
Carver Primary School Chicago, IL 6.3
Central Elem School Plainfield, IL 6.3
Century Oaks Elem School Elgin, IL 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Okeeffe Elem School

What grades does Okeeffe Elem School serve?

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

How many students attend Okeeffe Elem School?

Okeeffe Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 513 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Okeeffe Elem School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Okeeffe Elem School rank in IL?

Okeeffe Elem School is ranked #1846 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Okeeffe Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Okeeffe Elem School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Okeeffe Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Okeeffe Elem School has 4.8% math proficiency and 5.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Okeeffe Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Okeeffe Elem School a Title I school?

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

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

82.8% of students at Okeeffe 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
513
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.8%
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
#340 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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