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Very Good

#1189 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 31% in state

Thomas Early Childhood Center

School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

3625 S Hoyne Ave, Chicago, IL 60609

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 623 schools in Chicago. Learn more

Enrollment

124

Student-Teacher

7.3:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Pre-K – Pre-K

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chicago

#201 of 629

public schools

In district

#200 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Thomas Early Childhood Center

Thomas Early Childhood Center serves 124 prekindergarten students on Chicago's South Side, providing an intimate learning environment with a remarkable 7.3:1 student-teacher ratio. With 17 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to early childhood education, the school offers focused attention that's crucial during these foundational years. The center has earned a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #739 out of 3,819 schools statewide, placing it in the 81st percentile among Illinois schools.

This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to quality early childhood programming, though standardized test data isn't available for prekindergarten students. Located at 3625 S Hoyne Ave in the 60609 ZIP code, Thomas Early Childhood Center serves a diverse working-class community where the median household income is $47,209. The neighborhood has a population of over 63,000 residents, with 18% holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

While the area faces economic challenges with a poverty rate of 26.8%, the community shows resilience with median home values of $228,800. The school operates within Chicago's vibrant urban landscape, offering young learners their first structured educational experience in a city setting that provides rich cultural and developmental opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 124 students, Thomas Early Childhood Center is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.3:1, Thomas Early Childhood Center offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics5.4Average29%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on 623 schools in Chicago
College Readiness6.6Above Average43%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional29%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How Thomas Early Childhood Center Compares

See how Thomas Early Childhood Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
69th percentile in IL
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

3625 S Hoyne Ave, Chicago, IL 60609

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thomas Early Childhood Center may also want to explore other schools in the area. Back of The Yards IB HS (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Everett Elem School (rated 8.1/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Evergreen Academy Elem School (rated 8.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
MONTESSORI FOUNDATIONS OF CHGO Chicago 0.3 mi 7.4
Everett Elem School Chicago 0.3 mi 8.1
Greene N Elem School Chicago 0.3 mi 6.2
Horizon Science Acad-McKinley Pk Chicago 0.4 mi 5.7
Evergreen Academy Elem School Chicago 0.5 mi 8.0
Namaste Elem Charter School Chicago 0.5 mi 4.5
Brighton Park Elem School Chicago 0.8 mi 6.5
Burroughs Elem School Chicago 0.8 mi 5.7
Shields Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 6.2
Acero Chtr - Sandra Cisneros Elem Chicago 0.9 mi 6.9
Lara Elem Academy Chicago 1.3 mi 5.8
IJLA Charter High School Chicago 1.3 mi 6.4
Back of The Yards IB HS Chicago 1.3 mi 8.3
Seward Elem Communication Arts Ac Chicago 1.3 mi 7.0
Thomas Kelly College Preparatory Chicago 1.1 mi 7.9
IHSCA Charter High School Chicago 1.3 mi 5.0
Ruiz Elem School Chicago 1.4 mi 4.6
Hedges Elem School Chicago 1.4 mi 6.9
SAN MIGUEL SCHOOL Chicago 1.4 mi 5.9
Acero Chtr-Brighton Park Elem Sch Chicago 1.3 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60609 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,142

Median Home Value

$251,600

Median Rent

$1,070/mo

Population

64,268

College Educated

20%

Homeownership

41.6%

Avg Commute

33 min

Poverty Rate

25.3%

Median Age

35.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Thomas Early Childhood Center has a median household income of $54,142. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $251,600, with a median rent of $1,070/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thomas Early Childhood Center

What grades does Thomas Early Childhood Center serve?

Thomas Early Childhood Center serves students in grades Pre-K through Pre-K.

How many students attend Thomas Early Childhood Center?

Thomas Early Childhood Center has an enrollment of approximately 124 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Early Childhood Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Early Childhood Center is 7.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thomas Early Childhood Center rank in IL?

Thomas Early Childhood Center is ranked #1189 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Thomas Early Childhood Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas Early Childhood Center has a composite rating of 7.0 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.

Is Thomas Early Childhood Center a charter school?

No, Thomas Early Childhood Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Thomas Early Childhood Center a Title I school?

No, Thomas Early Childhood Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas Early Childhood Center?

67.7% of students at Thomas Early Childhood Center 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

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 – Pre-K
Enrollment
124
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.7%
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
#200 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

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