Below Average
#3184 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
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Joliet
#27 of 31
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,887 of 2,326
In district
#18 of 20
Joliet PSD 86
About Taft Elementary School
Taft Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Joliet, Illinois, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 424 students and a student-teacher ratio of 22.3:1, Taft offers personalized attention to each child’s needs. The school has 19 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education within the large suburban setting of Will County.
Taft Elementary School is ranked 3419 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it at the 10th percentile statewide. MySchoolScout gives the school a rating of 3.6 out of 10 based on its academic score of 2.7/10, indicating room for improvement in student performance. On average, only 14% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 13% meet proficiency standards in math.
Despite these challenges, Taft Elementary School is committed to supporting the development of its young learners with additional resources and programs focused on growth and skill-building. The school’s setting in a large suburban area offers diverse opportunities for community engagement and learning experiences beyond the classroom. Taft Elementary School stands as a dedicated educational institution nestled within the dynamic community of Joliet, Illinois.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Taft Elementary School is 22.3:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Taft Elementary School — Students at Taft Elementary School score 10% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.6%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.7/10.
How Taft Elementary School Compares
See how Taft Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 19% (2019) to 7.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 19% (2019) to 12% (2022).
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. Richland Elem School (rated 8.5/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Crest Hill), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chaney-Monge School (rated 7.6/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Crest Hill), which scores notably higher. Additionally, JOLIET MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Crest Hill), 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 | 6.1 |
| OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Joliet | 0.8 mi | — |
| Pershing Elem School Joliet | 1.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Joliet West High School Joliet | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| ST PAUL THE APOSTLE SCHOOL Joliet | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Carl Sandburg Elementary Joliet | 1.0 mi | 5.3 |
| 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 | 6.7 |
| M J Cunningham Elem Sch Joliet | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Richland Elem School Crest Hill | 1.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Dirksen Junior High School Joliet | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Lynne Thigpen Elem School Joliet | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| 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 | 7.6 |
| 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 | 5.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Taft Elementary School has a median household income of $74,967. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $217,200, with a median rent of $1,145/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Acero Chtr Network - Jovita Idar Chicago, IL | 4.9 |
| Apollo Elem School Aledo, IL | 4.9 |
| Asian Human Srvcs-Passage Chrtr Chicago, IL | 4.9 |
| Avon Center Elem School Round Lake Beach, IL | 4.9 |
| BLESSED SACRAMENT Springfield, IL | 4.9 |
| Bert H Fulton School Tinley Park, IL | 4.9 |
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 is ranked #3184 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Taft Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Taft Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Taft Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Taft Elementary School has 13.3% math proficiency and 14.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,601/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Joliet). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (815) 725-2700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Joliet PSD 86- District Enrollment
- 9,449
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,414
- District Rank
- #18 of 20
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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