Average
#1964 of 3,813 schools in IL
Thorp J N Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
8914 S Buffalo Ave, Chicago, IL 60617
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#373 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,207 of 2,326
In district
#368 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Thorp J N Elem School
Thorp J N Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Thorp offers a diverse educational experience with an enrollment of 319 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1. The school's setting in the heart of a large city provides numerous opportunities for community engagement and real-world learning experiences.
With a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.8 out of 10, Thorp J N Elementary School is ranked at #3266 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it in the 14th percentile statewide. Academic performance data indicates that only 7% of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math. While these scores suggest areas for improvement, Thorp J N Elementary School remains committed to supporting each student's development and growth.
Thorp J N Elementary School is situated in a vibrant urban environment within Chicago, offering its students a dynamic setting that reflects the city’s rich cultural tapestry and diversity.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Thorp J N Elem School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Thorp J N Elem School — Students at Thorp J N Elem School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95%
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: 6.6/10.
How Thorp J N Elem School Compares
See how Thorp J N Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 7.5% (2022).
Location
8914 S Buffalo Ave, Chicago, IL 60617
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thorp J N Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ninos Heroes Elem Academic Ctr (rated 7.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mireles Elem Academy (rated 7.5/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Powell Elem Paideia Comm Academy (rated 6.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LEARN Chtr - South Chicago Campus Chicago | 0.0 mi | 5.0 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL - EXCHANGE Chicago | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Mireles Elem Academy Chicago | 0.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Sullivan Elem School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| EPIC Academy High School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Bowen High School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Noble St Chtr-Baker Campus Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Ninos Heroes Elem Academic Ctr Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.6 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL-96TH Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Great Lakes Academy Charter ES Chicago | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Marsh Elem School Chicago | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Taylor Elem School Chicago | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Coles Elem Language Academy Chicago | 1.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Hoyne Elem School Chicago | 1.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Bradwell Comm Arts & Sci Elem Sch Chicago | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| ST FRANCIS DE SALES HIGH SCHOOL Chicago | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Gallistel Elem Language Academy Chicago | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Chicago Vocational Career Acad HS Chicago | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Powell Elem Paideia Comm Academy Chicago | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Warren Elem School Chicago | 1.6 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60617 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,237
Median Home Value
$168,200
Median Rent
$1,010/mo
Population
79,284
College Educated
20.2%
Homeownership
56.2%
Avg Commute
37.3 min
Poverty Rate
23.2%
Median Age
38.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thorp J N Elem School has a median household income of $51,237. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,200, with a median rent of $1,010/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 37 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 |
|---|---|
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur, IL | 6.2 |
| Big Hollow Primary School Ingleside, IL | 6.2 |
| Bismarck-Henning Elem School Bismarck, IL | 6.2 |
| Bond Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.2 |
| Carter Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.2 |
| Central Elem School Des Plaines, IL | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thorp J N Elem School
What grades does Thorp J N Elem School serve?
Thorp J N Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Thorp J N Elem School?
Thorp J N Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 319 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thorp J N Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thorp J N Elem School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thorp J N Elem School rank in IL?
Thorp J N Elem School is ranked #1964 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Thorp J N Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thorp J N Elem School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Thorp J N Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thorp J N Elem School has 7.3% math proficiency and 7.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thorp J N Elem School a charter school?
No, Thorp J N Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thorp J N Elem School a Title I school?
No, Thorp J N Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thorp J N Elem School?
95.0% of students at Thorp J N 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
- 319
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 535-6250
- 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
- #368 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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