Is Fort Dearborn Elementary School a good school?

Fort Dearborn Elementary School ranks in the bottom 10.6% of Illinois elementary schools.

How many students attend Fort Dearborn Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 324 students attended Fort Dearborn Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Fort Dearborn Elementary School?

Students at Fort Dearborn Elementary School are 97% African American, 3% Hispanic.

Fort Dearborn Elementary School

Summary:

Fort Dearborn Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK-8 in the Chicago Public Schools District 299, with 324 students located in the Gresham neighborhood of Chicago. Unfortunately, the school has consistently been ranked among the lowest performing elementary schools in Illinois, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger for the past several years.

Fort Dearborn Elementary faces significant challenges, including extremely high chronic absenteeism rates of 43.7% in the 2023-2024 school year, well above the district average of 30.5% and the state average of 41.2%. Academically, the school's performance is also concerning, with only 18.2% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and just 5.7% proficient or better in Math, compared to district averages of 30.5% and 18.3%, respectively. The school's struggles are particularly acute for certain student subgroups, such as African American students and those from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.

While Fort Dearborn Elementary spends significantly more per student ($22,668 in 2022-2023) compared to the district average ($16,721 in 2021-2022), this higher spending has not translated into improved academic outcomes. Nearby schools in the same district, such as Jackson M Elementary and Gresham Elementary, also struggle with low academic performance and high chronic absenteeism, suggesting systemic challenges within the district. The lack of improvement over time at Fort Dearborn Elementary indicates a need for a more comprehensive and sustained approach to school improvement.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-8

9025 S Throop St
Chicago, IL 60620-3523

(773) 535-2680

District: Chicago Public Schools District 299

SchoolDigger Rank:
1847^th of 2,067 Illinois Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $24,749

Student/teacher ratio: 12.4

Number of students: 324

Racial breakdown:

African American:

96.6%

Hispanic:

2.8%

Two or more races:

0.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 87.3%

See top rated Illinois elementary schools

Compare Fort Dearborn Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Fort Dearborn Elementary School ranks worse than 89.4% of elementary schools in Illinois. It also ranks 336^th among 452 ranked elementary schools in the Chicago Public Schools District 299. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 15.06. (See more...)

Compare Details Fort Dearborn Elementary School ranks worse than 81.9% of middle schools in Illinois. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 18.98. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Fort Dearborn Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Chicago Public Schools District 299. (See more...)

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Teachers

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Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Fort Dearborn Elementary School is $24,749, which is the 97^th highest among 452 elementary schools in the Chicago Public Schools District 299.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Fort Dearborn Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Fort Dearborn Elementary School 1847^th of 2067 Illinois public elementary schools. (See Fort Dearborn Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

African American students:

SchoolDigger ranks Fort Dearborn Elementary School 1116^th of 1363 Illinois public middle schools. (See Fort Dearborn Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Special Education students:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

African American students:

Chicago Public Schools District 299:

SchoolDigger ranks Chicago Public Schools District 299 688^th of 813 Illinois school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Fort Dearborn Elementary School

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Fort Dearborn Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2003	7.44	1831^st	2020	9.4%
2004	7.35	1865^th	2030	8.1%
2005	7.10	1858^th	2022	8.1%
2006	14.59	1859^th	2086	10.9%
2007	8.83	1931^st	2095	7.8%
2008	16.54	1829^th	2092	12.6%
2009	24.31	1730^th	2120	18.4%
2010	38.02	1517^th	2139	29.1%
2011	35.17	1569^th	2147	26.9%
2012	30.51	1668^th	2166	23.0%
2013	31.69	1553^rd	2167	28.3%
2014	17.64	1804^th	2093	13.8%
2015	17.48	1772^nd	2052	13.6%
2016	17.01	1785^th	2046	12.8%
2017	12.37	1888^th	2044	7.6%
2018	11.42	1933^rd	2037	5.1%
2019	12.07	1961^st	2086	6.0%
2021	12.49	1883^rd	1948	3.3%
2022	16.44	1802^nd	2082	13.4%
2023	20.91	1647^th	2077	20.7%
2024	15.06	1847^th	2067	10.6%

See the entire list of Illinois Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Fort Dearborn Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	17.35	1646^th	1765	6.7%
2019	18.61	1667^th	1816	8.2%
2021	18.33	1438^th	1514	5.0%
2022	23.55	1460^th	1763	17.2%
2023	30.68	1308^th	1808	27.7%
2024	22.21	1526^th	1793	14.9%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Fort Dearborn Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	15.06	1756^th	1964	10.6%
2019	12.14	1889^th	2019	6.4%
2021	12.39	1602^nd	1680	4.6%
2022	19.08	1628^th	1970	17.4%
2023	26.97	1399^th	1957	28.5%
2024	18.70	1634^th	1942	15.9%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Fort Dearborn Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	10.16	1921^st	1972	2.6%
2019	15.29	1827^th	2019	9.5%
2021	11.22	1684^th	1707	1.3%
2022	15.68	1771^st	1977	10.4%
2023	17.44	1700^th	1984	14.3%
2024	14.21	1798^th	1959	8.2%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school African American students at Fort Dearborn Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	30.30	511^th	698	26.8%
2019	29.47	539^th	711	24.2%
2021	29.24	343^rd	428	19.9%
2022	40.12	361^st	684	47.2%
2023	49.15	272^nd	692	60.7%
2024	33.94	438^th	655	33.1%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Data source: test scores: Illinois State Board of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Fort Dearborn Elementary School

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Rank History for all middle school students at Fort Dearborn Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile
2003	9.64	1062^nd	1185	10.4%
2004	11.40	1048^th	1204	13.0%
2005	6.70	1108^th	1209	8.4%
2006	16.36	1081^st	1272	15.0%
2007	25.76	1027^th	1287	20.2%
2008	29.19	995^th	1293	23.0%
2009	28.90	1023^rd	1318	22.4%
2010	19.77	1122^nd	1327	15.4%
2011	45.88	828^th	1344	38.4%
2012	42.58	906^th	1365	33.6%
2013	32.91	979^th	1367	28.4%
2014	26.36	1025^th	1322	22.5%
2015	16.08	1146^th	1302	12.0%
2016	28.59	921^st	1294	28.8%
2017	10.61	1241^st	1293	4.0%
2018	9.04	1263^rd	1293	2.3%
2019	12.06	1267^th	1356	6.6%
2021	14.51	1138^th	1241	8.3%
2022	11.74	1330^th	1369	2.8%
2023	24.36	1018^th	1367	25.5%
2024	18.98	1116^th	1363	18.1%

See the entire list of Illinois Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Special Education students at Fort Dearborn Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2021	26.00	472^nd	548	13.9%
2024	20.32	730^th	802	9.0%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Fort Dearborn Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	12.20	1129^th	1161	2.8%
2019	16.54	1125^th	1217	7.6%
2021	21.89	892^nd	1019	12.5%
2022	15.73	1170^th	1221	4.2%
2023	31.14	874^th	1234	29.2%
2024	27.02	922^nd	1219	24.4%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Fort Dearborn Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	10.41	1170^th	1226	4.6%
2019	14.90	1140^th	1276	10.7%
2021	16.11	908^th	1017	10.7%
2022	11.95	1232^nd	1286	4.2%
2023	34.52	794^th	1275	37.7%
2024	20.89	1003^rd	1251	19.8%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Fort Dearborn Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	9.96	1209^th	1223	1.1%
2019	12.66	1217^th	1296	6.1%
2021	11.53	1023^rd	1048	2.4%
2022	12.63	1233^rd	1286	4.1%
2023	18.04	1110^th	1292	14.1%
2024	20.01	1032^nd	1264	18.4%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school African American students at Fort Dearborn Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	21.18	476^th	511	6.8%
2019	30.02	430^th	565	23.9%
2021	33.99	250^th	385	35.1%
2022	26.08	496^th	573	13.4%
2023	46.98	245^th	569	56.9%
2024	38.18	315^th	548	42.5%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Data source: test scores: Illinois State Board of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: Illinois State Board of Education

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Enrollment information for Fort Dearborn Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	n/a	958	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	0	958
1990	n/a	940	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	0	940
1991	0	941	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	941
1992	0	882	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	882
1993	0	854	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	854
1994	0	811	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	811
1995	0	828	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	828
1996	0	828	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	828
1997	0	832	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	832
1998	0	890	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	890
1999	0	903	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	903
2000	0	890	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	890
2001	1	953	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	954
2002	3	999	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	1002
2003	3	999	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	1002
2004	0	917	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	917
2005	0	858	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	858
2006	0	783	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	5	788
2007	0	683	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	4	690
2008	2	664	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	5	673
2009	2	630	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	636
2010	2	575	0	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	581
2011	0	504	1	0	0	1	9	0	515
2012	0	468	1	0	0	0	4	0	473
2013	0	408	1	1	0	0	5	0	415
2014	0	407	0	0	0	0	3	0	410
2015	0	385	0	0	0	0	0	0	385
2016	0	371	0	4	0	1	1	0	377
2017	0	387	0	4	0	1	5	0	397
2018	0	353	0	1	0	0	0	0	354
2019	1	344	0	6	0	0	2	0	353
2020	0	321	0	8	0	0	3	0	332
2021	2	354	0	7	0	0	2	0	365
2022	2	328	0	10	0	0	2	0	342
2023	0	313	0	9	0	0	2	0	324

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Fort Dearborn Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	958	44.0	21.7	n/a
1990	940	45.0	20.8	n/a
1991	941	48.0	19.6	n/a
1992	882	43.0	20.5	n/a
1993	854	44.0	19.4	n/a
1994	811	41.0	19.8	n/a
1995	828	43.0	19.3	n/a
1996	828	43.0	19.3	n/a
1997	832	43.0	19.3	n/a
1998	890	41.0	21.7	n/a
1999	903	43.0	21.0	n/a
2000	890	39.0	22.8	n/a
2001	954	45.0	21.2	n/a
2002	1002	39.0	25.7	84.1
2003	1002	39.0	25.7	84.1
2004	917	39.6	23.2	89.4
2005	858	45.1	19.0	88.6
2006	788	51.1	15.4	97.7
2007	690	29.0	23.8	88.9
2008	673	30.0	22.4	97.9
2009	636	31.0	20.5	88.4
2010	581	28.0	20.7	95.7
2011	515	24.5	21.0	99.4
2012	473	25.0	18.9	98.3
2013	415	25.6	16.2	97.6
2014	410	26.0	15.7	95.9
2015	385	23.0	16.7	98.7
2016	377	21.0	17.9	96.3
2017	397	21.4	18.4	98
2018	354	19.9	17.7	98.6
2019	353	23.0	15.3	99.7
2020	332	24.0	13.8	99.1
2021	365	n/a	n/a	n/a
2022	342	24.0	14.2	82.2
2023	324	26.0	12.4	87.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Fort Dearborn Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	958	44.0	21.7	n/a
1990	940	45.0	20.8	n/a
1991	941	48.0	19.6	n/a
1992	882	43.0	20.5	n/a
1993	854	44.0	19.4	n/a
1994	811	41.0	19.8	n/a
1995	828	43.0	19.3	n/a
1996	828	43.0	19.3	n/a
1997	832	43.0	19.3	n/a
1998	890	41.0	21.7	n/a
1999	903	43.0	21.0	n/a
2000	890	39.0	22.8	n/a
2001	954	45.0	21.2	n/a
2002	1002	39.0	25.7	84.1
2003	1002	39.0	25.7	84.1
2004	917	39.6	23.2	89.4
2005	858	45.1	19.0	88.6
2006	788	51.1	15.4	97.7
2007	690	29.0	23.8	88.9
2008	673	30.0	22.4	97.9
2009	636	31.0	20.5	88.4
2010	581	28.0	20.7	95.7
2011	515	24.5	21.0	99.4
2012	473	25.0	18.9	98.3
2013	415	25.6	16.2	97.6
2014	410	26.0	15.7	95.9
2015	385	23.0	16.7	98.7
2016	377	21.0	17.9	96.3
2017	397	21.4	18.4	98
2018	354	19.9	17.7	98.6
2019	353	23.0	15.3	99.7
2020	332	24.0	13.8	99.1
2021	365	n/a	n/a	n/a
2022	342	24.0	14.2	82.2
2023	324	26.0	12.4	87.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

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