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
Enrollment
4,416
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Taft High School — Students at Taft High School score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.5%
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: 4.1/10.
How Taft High School Compares
See how Taft High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 32% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (773) 534-1000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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