Skip to main content

Very Good

#1079 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 28% in state

Taft High School

High School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

6530 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60631

Enrollment

4,416

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

7.1

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chicago

#170 of 629

public schools

Illinois high schools

#192 of 703

In district

#169 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

Academic performance

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Taft High School

Taft High School serves 4,416 students in grades 7 through 12 on Chicago's northwest side, making it one of the city's larger educational institutions. With 274 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.1 to 1, providing reasonable opportunities for individualized attention within its expansive student body. Academically, Taft ranks in the middle tier among Illinois high schools, placing 1,775th out of 3,819 schools statewide.

The school shows room for academic growth, with 32% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and reading across grade levels. This performance reflects both challenges and opportunities as the school works to support its diverse student population in achieving their educational goals. The school draws from the 60631 ZIP code area, a well-established Chicago neighborhood where families demonstrate strong educational values.

The surrounding community shows economic stability with a median household income of $112,974 and median home values of $407,400. Over half of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of 7%, creating a supportive environment for student learning. Taft High School operates within Chicago's dynamic urban landscape, offering students access to the cultural and educational resources that come with big city life.

What Parents Should Know

Taft High School is a large school with 4,416 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected+4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College Readiness9.9Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation33.3%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment6.0Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

Taft High School — Students at Taft High School score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 35.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
39%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
30%
2022
ELA
32%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Taft High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
72th percentile in IL
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
4.1/10
Below average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
274 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
33.3% participation·699 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

6530 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60631

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Taft High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Beard Elem School (rated 8.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wildwood Elem School (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST CONSTANCE SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Onahan Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 5.5
Garvy J Elem School Chicago 0.6 mi 5.1
Norwood Park Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 5.3
ST ELIZABETH OF THE TRINITY Chicago 0.6 mi 5.6
Hitch Elem School Chicago 0.6 mi 6.6
Beard Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 8.7
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Chicago 0.9 mi 5.6
Union Ridge Elem School Harwood Heights 1.4 mi 5.8
Oriole Park Elem School Chicago 1.2 mi 4.7
ST CONSTANCE SCHOOL Chicago 1.3 mi 8.0
ST ROBERT BELLARMINE SCHOOL Chicago 1.5 mi 6.6
Edison Park Elem School Chicago 1.3 mi 6.7
RESURRECTION COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL Chicago 1.3 mi 6.0
Farnsworth Elem School Chicago 1.3 mi 7.6
Wildwood Elem School Chicago 1.7 mi 8.2
Prussing Elem School Chicago 1.6 mi 8.0
Smyser Elem School Chicago 1.8 mi 5.7
Ebinger Elem School Chicago 1.7 mi 5.4
LOGOS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Niles 2.0 mi 4.4
ST PAUL EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Chicago 1.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60631 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$117,688

Median Home Value

$431,400

Median Rent

$1,604/mo

Population

30,308

College Educated

50.1%

Homeownership

74.2%

Avg Commute

29.9 min

Poverty Rate

6.2%

Median Age

42.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Taft High School has a median household income of $117,688. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $431,400, with a median rent of $1,604/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Oswego East High School Oswego, IL 7.0
J Sterling Morton West High Sch Berwyn, IL 7.2
West Aurora High School Aurora, IL 7.3
Lincoln-Way East High School Frankfort, IL 6.8
Homewood-Flossmoor High School Flossmoor, IL 6.7
Lockport Township High Sch East Lockport, IL 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Taft High School

What grades does Taft High School serve?

Taft High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Taft High School?

Taft High School has an enrollment of approximately 4,416 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Taft High School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Taft High School rank in IL?

Taft High School is ranked #1079 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Taft High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Taft High School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Taft High School has 32.0% math proficiency and 35.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Taft High School a charter school?

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

Is Taft High School a Title I school?

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

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

54.5% of students at Taft High 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
64 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
50 Good Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,030/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
4,416
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
274
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.5%
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
#169 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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.