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Needs Improvement

#3725 of 3,813 schools in IL

Taft Primary School

Elementary School · Kankakee SD 111

1155 W Hawkins St, Kankakee, IL 60901

Enrollment

301

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kankakee

#11 of 11

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#2,254 of 2,326

In district

#10 of 10

Kankakee SD 111

About Taft Primary School

Taft Primary School is an elementary school located in Kankakee, Illinois, serving kindergarten through third grade students. With a total enrollment of 301 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1, Taft Primary School aims to provide individualized attention to each child’s learning needs. The school has 21 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the early education of young learners.

Taft Primary School's academic performance is currently ranked at the 14th percentile among Illinois schools with a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.8 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 2.9 out of 10. The school shows that 17% of its students are proficient or above in English Language Arts, while 20% meet or exceed proficiency standards in math. These numbers indicate areas where the school is focusing on improvement to better support its students' academic development.

Taft Primary School is situated in a small city setting within Kankakee County, offering a community environment that fosters close relationships between teachers, parents, and students.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-8.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)9%
vs. Expected+0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,370

Taft Primary School — Students at Taft Primary School score 10% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 9%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 20.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 16.7%
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
30%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
ELA
10%

* 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 Primary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.8/10
2th percentile in IL
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
2.1/10
Below average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

1155 W Hawkins St, Kankakee, IL 60901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Taft Primary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Shabbona Elem School (rated 8.3/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Bourbonnais), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alan B Shepard Elem School (rated 7.8/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Bourbonnais), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bradley West Elem School (rated 7.5/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Bradley), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kankakee, see our Kankakee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
John Kennedy Middle Grade School Kankakee 0.2 mi 5.3
Kankakee High School Kankakee 0.4 mi 6.6
KANKAKEE TRINITY ACADEMY Kankakee 0.9 mi 6.2
BISHOP MCNAMARA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Kankakee 1.8 mi 3.8
Steuben Elementary School Kankakee 1.5 mi 6.2
Proegler School Kankakee 1.9 mi 4.7
Bradley West Elem School Bradley 2.3 mi 7.5
King Middle Grade School Kankakee 2.0 mi 4.9
Lincoln Cltrl Ctr-Montessori Elem Kankakee 2.0 mi 4.6
Bradley Central Middle School Bradley 2.5 mi 5.4
Bradley-Bourbonnais C High School Bradley 2.7 mi 6.8
Bradley East Elem School Bradley 2.5 mi 6.4
Edison Primary School Kankakee 2.2 mi 5.9
BISHOP MCNAMARA CATHOLIC SCHOOL,BOURBONNAIS Bourbonnais 3.2 mi 6.9
Shabbona Elem School Bourbonnais 3.5 mi 8.3
Alan B Shepard Elem School Bourbonnais 3.5 mi 7.8
Kankakee Junior High School Kankakee 2.7 mi 6.1
Mark Twain Primary School Kankakee 2.7 mi 6.8
GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kankakee 2.9 mi 6.8
Bourbonnais Upper Grade Center Bourbonnais 3.9 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,557

Median Home Value

$143,200

Median Rent

$1,020/mo

Population

33,224

College Educated

15.7%

Homeownership

60.6%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

21.7%

Median Age

37.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Taft Primary School has a median household income of $54,557. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,200, with a median rent of $1,020/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Benjamin Franklin Elem School Moline, IL 3.8
Butterworth Elem School Moline, IL 3.8
Columbus Elem School Edwardsville, IL 3.8
Grant Park Elem School Grant Park, IL 3.8
Hampton Elem School Hampton, IL 3.8
Hawthorn Elem School Salem, IL 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Taft Primary School

What grades does Taft Primary School serve?

Taft Primary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.

How many students attend Taft Primary School?

Taft Primary School has an enrollment of approximately 301 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Taft Primary School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Taft Primary School rank in IL?

Taft Primary School is ranked #3725 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Taft Primary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Taft Primary School has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Primary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Taft Primary School has 20.0% math proficiency and 16.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Taft Primary School a charter school?

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

Is Taft Primary School a Title I school?

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

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

87.4% of students at Taft Primary 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

County Safety
Low (204/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
301
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
87.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Kankakee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Kankakee SD 111
District Enrollment
4,655
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,743
District Rank
#10 of 10

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

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