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Very Good

#725 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 19% 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

7.7

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#725 of 3,813

In Chicago

#79 of 630

public schools

In district

#77 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Taft High School

7.7/10

High School in Chicago · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Onahan Elem School

5.8/10

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

Garvy J Elem School

6.4/10

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

About Taft High School

Taft High School is a public high school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Taft High School serves approximately 4,416 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Taft High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #725 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Taft High School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.2 pts above district
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • IL avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Taft High School is a large school: 4,416 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

62% of students at Taft High School 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 metrics
Student Progress9.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.63 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency29% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+4.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
College Readiness9.9Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation33.3%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,699
Chronic Absenteeism61.8%

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 40.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.3% (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
62%
ELA
63%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
55%
2011
Math
56%
ELA
59%
2012
Math
56%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
53%
ELA
58%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
45%
2015
Math
25%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
34%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
38%
2018
Math
39%
ELA
44%
2019
Math
39%
ELA
44%
2020*
Math
25%
ELA
30%
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: 9.1/10.

How Taft High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
81th percentile in IL
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.7
Sports
23
11 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
274 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
61.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered IB Programme
33.3% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·699 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics23sports offered
11 boys'·12 girls'·41 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · 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 8.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ebinger Elem School (rated 8.6/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Wildwood Elem School (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 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 5.8
Garvy J Elem School Chicago 0.6 mi 6.4
Norwood Park Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 7.8
ST ELIZABETH OF THE TRINITY Chicago 0.6 mi 5.7
Hitch Elem School Chicago 0.6 mi 5.9
Beard Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 8.6
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Chicago 0.9 mi 5.6
Union Ridge Elem School Harwood Heights 1.4 mi 8.1
Oriole Park Elem School Chicago 1.2 mi 6.9
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 6.3
RESURRECTION COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL Chicago 1.3 mi 6.0
Farnsworth Elem School Chicago 1.3 mi 7.4
Wildwood Elem School Chicago 1.7 mi 8.2
Prussing Elem School Chicago 1.6 mi 5.4
Smyser Elem School Chicago 1.8 mi 5.2
Ebinger Elem School Chicago 1.7 mi 8.6
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Huntley High School Huntley, IL 7.8
Oswego East High School Oswego, IL 7.6
Homewood-Flossmoor High School Flossmoor, IL 7.9
Bolingbrook High School Bolingbrook, IL 8.0
Lincoln-Way East High School Frankfort, IL 8.0
Lockport Township High Sch East Lockport, IL 7.2

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 ranks #725 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Taft High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Taft High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Taft High School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
61.8%

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