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Very Good

#1079 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 28% in state

Thomas Kelly College Preparatory

High School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

4136 S California Ave, Chicago, IL 60632

Enrollment

1,862

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

7.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#1,079 of 3,813

In Chicago

#130 of 630

public schools

In district

#127 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Thomas Kelly College Preparatory

7.2/10

High School in Chicago · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pope John Paul II Catholic School

6.2/10

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

Acero Chtr - Sandra Cisneros Elem

7.5/10

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

About Thomas Kelly College Preparatory

Thomas Kelly College Preparatory is a public high school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Thomas Kelly College Preparatory serves approximately 1,862 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas Kelly College Preparatory has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,079 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Thomas Kelly College Preparatory show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 15% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • IL avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

67% of students at Thomas Kelly College Preparatory 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 Progress9.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.93 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency9% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)6% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College Readiness9.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation16.8%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,699
Chronic Absenteeism66.6%

Thomas Kelly College Preparatory — Students at Thomas Kelly College Preparatory score 10% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 20.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 15.2% (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
34%
ELA
30%
2010
Math
32%
ELA
25%
2011
Math
28%
ELA
21%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2013
Math
30%
ELA
27%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
7.5%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
2.5%
2016
Math
16%
ELA
13%
2017
Math
16%
ELA
13%
2018
Math
14%
ELA
10%
2019
Math
14%
ELA
10%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
9%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
9%
2022
ELA
9%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Thomas Kelly College Preparatory Compares

See how Thomas Kelly College Preparatory performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
72th percentile in IL
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
9.5/10
Excellent
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.7
Sports
11
4 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
126 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
66.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered IB Programme
16.8% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·128 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics11sports offered
4 boys'·7 girls'·17 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

4136 S California Ave, Chicago, IL 60632

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thomas Kelly College Preparatory may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Back of The Yards IB HS (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Noble St Chtr - Mansueto (rated 5.5/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
POPE JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chicago 0.3 mi 6.2
Acero Chtr - Sandra Cisneros Elem Chicago 0.3 mi 7.5
Acero Chtr-Brighton Park Elem Sch Chicago 0.3 mi 7.6
Shields Elem School Chicago 0.3 mi 4.6
Brighton Park Elem School Chicago 0.4 mi 4.4
Davis N Elem School Chicago 0.4 mi 5.6
Gunsaulus Elem Scholastic Academy Chicago 0.5 mi 5.5
Acero Chtr - Officer Marquez Elem Chicago 0.7 mi 7.7
Noble St Chtr - Mansueto Chicago 0.7 mi 5.5
Burroughs Elem School Chicago 0.7 mi 7.8
Columbia Explorers Elem Academy Chicago 0.7 mi 7.6
Shields Middle School Chicago 0.9 mi 6.5
Horizon Science Acad-McKinley Pk Chicago 0.7 mi 7.5
MONTESSORI FOUNDATIONS OF CHGO Chicago 1.1 mi 7.4
Calmeca Acad Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 3.9
Acero Chtr - Rufino Tamayo Elem Chicago 1.3 mi 8.5
Christopher Elem School Chicago 1.2 mi 3.5
Everett Elem School Chicago 1.2 mi 9.2
Back of The Yards IB HS Chicago 1.1 mi 8.1
Thomas Early Childhood Center Chicago 1.1 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60632 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,576

Median Home Value

$240,600

Median Rent

$1,057/mo

Population

87,831

College Educated

13.3%

Homeownership

57.9%

Avg Commute

32.6 min

Poverty Rate

15.4%

Median Age

34.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Prosser Career Academy HS Chicago, IL 7.2
West Leyden High School Northlake, IL 7.2
Wheeling High School Wheeling, IL 7.2
Bartlett High School Bartlett, IL 7.3
Elk Grove High School Elk Grove Village, IL 7.3
Thornton Township High School Harvey, IL 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thomas Kelly College Preparatory

What grades does Thomas Kelly College Preparatory serve?

Thomas Kelly College Preparatory serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Thomas Kelly College Preparatory?

Thomas Kelly College Preparatory has an enrollment of approximately 1,862 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Kelly College Preparatory?

The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Kelly College Preparatory is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thomas Kelly College Preparatory rank in IL?

Thomas Kelly College Preparatory ranks #1,079 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Thomas Kelly College Preparatory's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas Kelly College Preparatory has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Thomas Kelly College Preparatory?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas Kelly College Preparatory has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 15% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Thomas Kelly College Preparatory a charter school?

No, Thomas Kelly College Preparatory is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Thomas Kelly College Preparatory a Title I school?

No, Thomas Kelly College Preparatory is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas Kelly College Preparatory?

94.8% of students at Thomas Kelly College Preparatory 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
81 Very Walkable
Transit Score
58 Good Transit
Bike Score
61 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,862
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
126
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Cook County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
66.6%

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