Average
#1362 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 36% in state
Tarkington Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
3330 W 71st St, Chicago, IL 60629
Enrollment
861
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
861
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#247 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#869 of 2,326
In district
#245 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Tarkington Elem School
Tarkington Elem School serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Chicago's South Side community. The school enrolls 861 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1, supported by 61 full-time equivalent teachers. As a regular public school in a large city setting, it provides a traditional educational environment for the neighborhood.
Academically, Tarkington Elem is working to improve student achievement. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 places it in the 25th percentile among Illinois schools. Currently, proficiency rates in core subjects show room for growth: 12% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 11% meet proficiency benchmarks in Math across grade levels.
These results reflect the school's focus on student development and areas where the school is concentrating efforts to raise achievement. Tarkington Elem serves families throughout the 60629 zip code area of Chicago, offering accessible education to the local community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Tarkington Elem School — Students at Tarkington Elem School score 9% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.4%
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: 7.1/10.
How Tarkington Elem School Compares
See how Tarkington Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 7.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 16% (2019) to 11% (2022).
Location
3330 W 71st St, Chicago, IL 60629
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Tarkington Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Carroll Elem School (rated 7.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ashburn Community Elem School (rated 7.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Eberhart Elem School (rated 6.8/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Eberhart Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Goode STEM Academy HS Chicago | 0.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Hampton Elem Fine & Perf Arts Sch Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE SCHOOL Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Hurley Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Marquette Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Catalyst Charter - Maria ES Chicago | 0.8 mi | 4.8 |
| McKay Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| ACE Amandla Charter School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 8.3 |
| ST NICHOLAS TOLENTINE SCHOOL Chicago | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Hubbard High School Chicago | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Fairfield Elem Academy Chicago | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Bogan High School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Owen Elem Scholastic Academy Chicago | 1.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Dawes Elem School Chicago | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Monarcas Academy Chicago | 1.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Ashburn Community Elem School Chicago | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| CICS - Wrightwood Chicago | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Carroll Elem School Chicago | 1.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Lee Elem School Chicago | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60629 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,813
Median Home Value
$236,300
Median Rent
$1,106/mo
Population
109,292
College Educated
14.3%
Homeownership
61.2%
Avg Commute
36.1 min
Poverty Rate
18.2%
Median Age
34.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Tarkington Elem School has a median household income of $58,813. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,300, with a median rent of $1,106/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.2%. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bristol Bay Elem Sch Yorkville, IL | 6.8 |
| Butterfield School Libertyville, IL | 6.8 |
| Carson Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.8 |
| Eberhart Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.8 |
| Falconer Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.8 |
| Flora Elementary School Flora, IL | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tarkington Elem School
What grades does Tarkington Elem School serve?
Tarkington Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Tarkington Elem School?
Tarkington Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 861 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Tarkington Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Tarkington Elem School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Tarkington Elem School rank in IL?
Tarkington Elem School is ranked #1362 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Tarkington Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Tarkington Elem School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Tarkington Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tarkington Elem School has 11.3% math proficiency and 11.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Tarkington Elem School a charter school?
No, Tarkington Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Tarkington Elem School a Title I school?
No, Tarkington Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tarkington Elem School?
93.4% of students at Tarkington Elem 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 (4,030/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 861
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 61
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 535-4700
- 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
- #245 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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