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Needs Improvement

#3733 of 3,813 schools in IL

Taft Elementary School

Elementary School · Joliet PSD 86

1125 Oregon St, Joliet, IL 60435

Enrollment

424

Student-Teacher

22.3:1

Score

3.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#3,733 of 3,813

In Joliet

#29 of 31

public schools

In district

#18 of 20

Joliet PSD 86

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Taft Elementary School

3.2/10

Elementary School in Joliet · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Joliet Catholic Academy

5.4/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hufford Junior High School

4.8/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Taft Elementary School

Taft Elementary School is a public elementary school in Joliet, IL, part of Joliet PSD 86. Taft Elementary School serves approximately 424 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 22.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Taft Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #3,733 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Taft Elementary School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.5
  • IL avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Taft Elementary School runs 22.3:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-6.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)6% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,414
Chronic Absenteeism28.1%

Taft Elementary School — Students at Taft Elementary School score 10% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
63%
ELA
60%
2013
Math
53%
ELA
51%
2014
Math
18%
ELA
23%
2015
Math
18%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
20%
ELA
19%
2017
Math
16%
ELA
11%
2018
Math
19%
ELA
19%
2019
Math
19%
ELA
19%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2022
ELA
12%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How Taft Elementary School Compares

See how Taft Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.2/10
2th percentile in IL
Academic
5.7/10
Average
Growth
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.4/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.1%

Location

1125 Oregon St, Joliet, IL 60435

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Taft Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. JOLIET MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Crest Hill), which scores notably higher. Another option is Richland Elem School (rated 6.9/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Crest Hill), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PAUL THE APOSTLE SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Joliet, see our Joliet schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
JOLIET CATHOLIC ACADEMY Joliet 0.4 mi 5.4
Hufford Junior High School Joliet 0.5 mi 4.8
OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Joliet 0.8 mi
Pershing Elem School Joliet 1.1 mi 2.9
Joliet West High School Joliet 1.2 mi 6.7
ST PAUL THE APOSTLE SCHOOL Joliet 1.2 mi 6.6
Carl Sandburg Elementary Joliet 1.0 mi 3.0
CATHEDRAL OF ST RAYMOND SCHOOL Joliet 1.0 mi 5.5
JOLIET MONTESSORI SCHOOL Crest Hill 1.4 mi 7.0
Farragut Elem School Joliet 1.3 mi 3.6
M J Cunningham Elem Sch Joliet 1.2 mi 4.4
Richland Elem School Crest Hill 1.6 mi 6.9
Dirksen Junior High School Joliet 1.7 mi 3.8
Lynne Thigpen Elem School Joliet 1.8 mi 4.1
UCP-CDS-MELVIN J LARSON SCHOOL Joliet 1.9 mi 6.2
TLC LEARNING CENTER Crest Hill 1.5 mi
Chaney-Monge School Crest Hill 1.7 mi 6.2
ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Joliet 1.6 mi
ST MARY NATIVITY SCHOOL Joliet 1.7 mi 6.2
Thomas Jefferson Elem School Joliet 1.8 mi 5.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Berger-Vandenberg Elem School Dolton, IL 3.2
Hill Elem School Aurora, IL 3.2
Lowrie Elem School Elgin, IL 3.2
Perry Elem School Belvidere, IL 3.2
Ronald D O Neal Elgin, IL 3.2
Sabin Elem Magnet School Chicago, IL 3.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Taft Elementary School

What grades does Taft Elementary School serve?

Taft Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Taft Elementary School?

Taft Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 424 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Taft Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Taft Elementary School is 22.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Taft Elementary School rank in IL?

Taft Elementary School ranks #3,733 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Taft Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Taft Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Taft Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Taft Elementary School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Taft Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Taft Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Taft Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Taft Elementary School?

94.6% of students at Taft Elementary 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

Walk Score
53 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
26 Some Transit
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Will County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.1%

District

Joliet PSD 86
District Enrollment
9,449
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,414
District Rank
#18 of 20

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