Average
#1256 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 33% in state
Richards Career Academy HS
High School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
5009 S Laflin St, Chicago, IL 60609
Enrollment
315
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
315
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#207 of 629
public schools
Illinois high schools
#222 of 703
In district
#205 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Richards Career Academy HS
Richards Career Academy HS is a high school located in the heart of Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 315 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.5:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Richards Career Academy HS is currently rated at 4.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 34th percentile among Illinois schools and scoring a 1.1/10 in academic achievement.
Students perform well below state averages in both English Language Arts (ELA) and math, with only 3% proficient or above in ELA and 4% proficient or above in math. Despite these challenges, the school is focused on providing a supportive learning environment that encourages student development and growth. Richards Career Academy HS stands out for its commitment to nurturing young minds in a large urban setting, offering students the opportunity to engage with a diverse community while receiving personalized attention from their educators.
The school’s location in Chicago places it at the center of cultural, educational, and economic opportunities, making it an integral part of the city's vibrant landscape.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Richards Career Academy HS 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Richards Career Academy HS — Students at Richards Career Academy HS score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 5%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.6%
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: 8.7/10.
How Richards Career Academy HS Compares
See how Richards Career Academy HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 5% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 5% (2019) to 2.5% (2022).
Location
5009 S Laflin St, Chicago, IL 60609
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Richards Career Academy HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Back of The Yards IB HS (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tilden Career Communty Academy HS (rated 7.0/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hamline Elem School Chicago | 0.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Chavez Elem Multicultural Acad Ct Chicago | 0.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Libby Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Fulton Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Seward Elem Communication Arts Ac Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Daley Elem Academy Chicago | 0.5 mi | 6.3 |
| CICS - Basil Campus Chicago | 0.7 mi | 3.3 |
| Sherman Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Hedges Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Lara Elem Academy Chicago | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| SAN MIGUEL SCHOOL Chicago | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Holmes Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Henderson Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| VISITATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Back of The Yards IB HS Chicago | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| ACADEMY OF ST BENEDICT THE AFRICAN Chicago | 1.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Langford A Elem School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| CS ACADEMY Chicago | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Tilden Career Communty Academy HS Chicago | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts Chicago | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60609 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,142
Median Home Value
$251,600
Median Rent
$1,070/mo
Population
64,268
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
41.6%
Avg Commute
33 min
Poverty Rate
25.3%
Median Age
35.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Richards Career Academy HS has a median household income of $54,142. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $251,600, with a median rent of $1,070/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| CHICAGO CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Palos Heights, IL | 6.9 |
| Harlan Community Academy HS Chicago, IL | 6.9 |
| NORTHRIDGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Niles, IL | 6.9 |
| Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS Chicago, IL | 7.0 |
| Legal Prep Academy Charter HS Chicago, IL | 7.0 |
| Liberty High School Liberty, IL | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Richards Career Academy HS
What grades does Richards Career Academy HS serve?
Richards Career Academy HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Richards Career Academy HS?
Richards Career Academy HS has an enrollment of approximately 315 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Richards Career Academy HS?
The student-teacher ratio at Richards Career Academy HS is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Richards Career Academy HS rank in IL?
Richards Career Academy HS is ranked #1256 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Richards Career Academy HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Richards Career Academy HS has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Richards Career Academy HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Richards Career Academy HS has 3.8% math proficiency and 3.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Richards Career Academy HS a charter school?
No, Richards Career Academy HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Richards Career Academy HS a Title I school?
No, Richards Career Academy HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Richards Career Academy HS?
95.6% of students at Richards Career Academy HS 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
- Walk Score
- 81 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 60 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 64 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,030/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 315
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 535-4945
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #205 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 methodologyRelated reading
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