Average
#2134 of 3,813 schools in IL
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
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
315
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#2,134 of 3,813
In Chicago
#316 of 630
public schools
In district
#310 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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Richards Career Academy HS
High School in Chicago · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hamline Elem School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Chavez Elem Multicultural Acad Ct
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Richards Career Academy HS
Richards Career Academy HS is a public high school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Richards Career Academy HS serves approximately 315 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Richards Career Academy HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,134 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Richards Career Academy HS show 5% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 5% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.9 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- IL avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Richards Career Academy HS sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
90% of students at Richards Career Academy HS 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 · 4/4 metricsView 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 27 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: 9.9/10.
How Richards Career Academy HS Compares
See how Richards Career Academy HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tilden Career Communty Academy HS (rated 5.9/10, 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 | 4.8 |
| Chavez Elem Multicultural Acad Ct Chicago | 0.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Libby Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Fulton Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Seward Elem Communication Arts Ac Chicago | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Daley Elem Academy Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| CICS - Basil Campus Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Sherman Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Hedges Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Lara Elem Academy Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| SAN MIGUEL SCHOOL Chicago | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Holmes Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Henderson Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| VISITATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Back of The Yards IB HS Chicago | 0.9 mi | 8.1 |
| ACADEMY OF ST BENEDICT THE AFRICAN Chicago | 1.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Langford A Elem School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| CS ACADEMY Chicago | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Tilden Career Communty Academy HS Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Dewey Elem Academy of Fine Arts Chicago | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CHRIST THE KING JESUIT COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Chicago, IL | 5.9 |
| Dakota Jr Sr High School Dakota, IL | 5.9 |
| Dee-Mack High School Mackinaw, IL | 5.9 |
| Galva Jr-Sr High School Galva, IL | 5.9 |
| Gillespie High School Gillespie, IL | 5.9 |
| Lawrenceville High School Lawrenceville, IL | 5.9 |
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 ranks #2,134 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Richards Career Academy HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Richards Career Academy HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Richards Career Academy HS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Richards Career Academy HS has 5% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 5% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 89.8%
- Phone
- (773) 535-4945
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #310 of 621
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