Jefferson Elementary School

Summary:

Jefferson Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Chicago Heights, Illinois, serving 151 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. The school is part of the Chicago Heights School District 170, which is ranked 602 out of 813 school districts in Illinois and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Jefferson Elementary School faces significant challenges in academic performance, with only 19.1% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and just 25% of 3rd graders, 13.8% of 4th graders, and 0% of 5th graders proficient or better in mathematics. The school's performance has declined over the years, with its statewide ranking dropping from 846 out of 1,948 Illinois elementary schools in 2020-2021 to 1,489 out of 2,067 in 2023-2024. Additionally, the school has a very high chronic absenteeism rate of 58.5%, significantly higher than the state and district averages. The student population is predominantly minority, with 69.5% Hispanic and 27.8% African American students, and 99.34% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

While Jefferson Elementary School has a relatively high per-student spending of $21,625 and a low student-teacher ratio of 10.7, these resources do not seem to translate into improved student outcomes. Nearby schools within the same district, such as U.S. Grant Elementary, Wilson Elementary, and Kennedy Elementary, also struggle with low academic performance and high chronic absenteeism rates, suggesting systemic challenges within the Chicago Heights School District 170. However, some nearby schools, like Greenbriar Elementary and Serena Hills Elementary (in a different district), perform significantly better academically, indicating that the challenges faced by Jefferson Elementary School may be specific to the district.


Detail:

Public K-5

 176 E 11th St
       Chicago Heights, IL  60411-2937


(708) 756-4162

District: Chicago Heights School District 170

SchoolDigger Rank:
1489th of 2,067 Illinois Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $20,703 Help


Students who attend Jefferson Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Bloom High School

Student/teacher ratio:  10.7 Help
Number of students:  151

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
69.5%
African American:
29.1%
White:
1.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99.3% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Jefferson Elementary School ranks worse than 72% of elementary schools in Illinois. It also ranks 8th among 9 ranked elementary schools in the Chicago Heights School District 170. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 26.84. (See more...)
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Compare Details Jefferson Elementary School is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2015 the calculated Average Standard Score was 23.57. (See more...)
Help
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
Help
Compare Details Jefferson Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Chicago Heights School District 170.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Jefferson Elementary School is $20,703. 6 elementary schools in the Chicago Heights School District 170 spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Jefferson Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Jefferson Elementary School 1489th of 2067 Illinois public elementary schools. (See Jefferson 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:
Hispanic students:


Chicago Heights School District 170:

SchoolDigger ranks Chicago Heights School District 170 602nd of 813 Illinois school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Jefferson Elementary School

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Jefferson Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 18.35 1688th 2020 16.4%
2004 9.92 1828th 2030 10.0%
2005 11.72 1813th 2022 10.3%
2006 21.34 1772nd 2086 15.1%
2007 17.44 1831st 2095 12.6%
2008 26.78 1670th 2092 20.2%
2009 22.68 1757th 2120 17.1%
2010 33.51 1607th 2139 24.9%
2011 38.42 1511th 2147 29.6%
2012 13.55 1967th 2166 9.2%
2013 22.87 1744th 2167 19.5%
2014 35.18 1420th 2093 32.2%
2015 31.09 1380th 2052 32.7%
2016 24.08 1589th 2046 22.3%
2017 17.86 1742nd 2044 14.8%
2018 19.27 1675th 2037 17.8%
2019 19.55 1746th 2086 16.3%
2021 50.27 846th 1948 56.6%
2022 38.88 1201st 2082 42.3%
2023 25.83 1506th 2077 27.5%
2024 26.84 1489th 2067 28.0%
See the entire list of Illinois Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school English Language Learner students at Jefferson Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 46.14 341st 718 52.5%
2019 53.42 239th 743 67.8%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.70 1271st 1765 28.0%
2019 30.31 1363rd 1816 24.9%
2021 69.31 268th 1514 82.3%
2022 61.21 517th 1763 70.7%
2023 42.91 983rd 1808 45.6%
2024 41.70 1010th 1793 43.7%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Jefferson Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 17.08 1698th 1964 13.5%
2019 14.58 1829th 2019 9.4%
2021 35.65 1022nd 1680 39.2%
2022 43.14 1019th 1970 48.3%
2023 18.97 1638th 1957 16.3%
2024 16.06 1709th 1942 12.0%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Jefferson Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 24.34 1516th 1972 23.1%
2019 25.87 1503rd 2019 25.6%
2021 41.25 912th 1707 46.6%
2023 48.51 920th 1984 53.6%
2024 28.45 1358th 1959 30.7%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school African American students at Jefferson Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.85 308th 698 55.9%
2019 35.34 458th 711 35.6%
2024 32.81 454th 655 30.7%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for elementary school Hispanic students at Jefferson Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.74 674th 938 28.1%
2019 31.83 687th 955 28.1%
2021 67.13 133rd 742 82.1%
2022 42.10 516th 954 45.9%
2023 57.83 307th 970 68.4%
2024 57.36 311th 959 67.6%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

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

Rank History for Jefferson Elementary School

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Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 2.91 1168th 1185 1.4%
2004 7.85 1097th 1204 8.9%
2005 10.30 1062nd 1209 12.2%
2006 18.65 1068th 1272 16.0%
2007 4.55 1238th 1287 3.8%
2008 9.36 1179th 1293 8.8%
2009 4.93 1262nd 1318 4.2%
2010 26.37 1057th 1327 20.3%
2011 33.10 1011th 1344 24.8%
2012 22.97 1134th 1365 16.9%
2013 13.51 1228th 1367 10.2%
2014 14.73 1180th 1322 10.7%
2015 23.57 1012th 1302 22.3%
See the entire list of Illinois Elementary School Rankings!

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

Jefferson Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Illinois State Board of Education

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Enrollment information for Jefferson Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 79 120 1 101 n/a n/a n/a 0 301
1989 71 139 n/a 97 n/a n/a n/a 0 307
1990 72 118 n/a 97 n/a n/a n/a 0 287
1991 60 127 0 87 0 n/a n/a 0 274
1992 54 140 0 91 0 n/a n/a 0 285
1993 56 117 0 78 0 n/a n/a 0 251
1994 46 134 0 93 0 n/a n/a 0 273
1995 31 149 2 76 0 n/a n/a 0 258
1996 31 149 2 76 0 n/a n/a 0 258
1997 23 168 2 120 0 n/a n/a 0 313
1998 25 141 0 106 0 n/a n/a 0 272
1999 15 151 0 146 0 n/a n/a 0 312
2000 16 152 0 173 0 n/a n/a 0 341
2001 9 150 0 192 0 n/a n/a 0 351
2002 6 144 1 187 0 n/a n/a 0 338
2003 6 144 1 187 0 n/a n/a 0 338
2004 2 134 1 202 0 n/a n/a 0 339
2005 4 126 0 194 0 n/a n/a 3 327
2006 3 126 0 167 0 n/a n/a 7 303
2007 3 122 0 179 0 n/a n/a 8 312
2008 3 126 0 180 0 n/a n/a 8 317
2009 4 168 2 220 0 n/a n/a 15 409
2010 0 120 1 177 0 n/a n/a 13 311
2011 1 125 1 167 0 0 11 0 305
2012 1 123 0 177 0 0 7 0 308
2013 1 116 0 170 0 0 9 0 296
2014 2 78 0 169 0 0 7 0 256
2015 1 98 0 149 1 0 7 0 256
2016 2 129 0 143 1 0 11 0 286
2017 5 120 0 147 0 0 9 0 281
2018 10 126 1 142 0 0 9 0 288
2019 10 134 0 144 0 0 5 0 293
2020 12 129 0 139 0 0 4 0 284
2021 8 54 0 89 0 0 1 0 152
2022 8 52 0 94 0 0 1 0 155
2023 2 44 0 105 0 0 0 0 151

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 Jefferson Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 301 13.0 23.1 n/a
1989 307 13.6 22.5 n/a
1990 287 14.0 20.5 n/a
1991 274 12.0 22.8 n/a
1992 285 13.0 21.9 n/a
1993 251 13.0 19.3 n/a
1994 273 14.0 19.5 n/a
1995 258 14.0 18.4 n/a
1996 258 14.0 18.4 n/a
1997 313 17.0 18.4 n/a
1998 272 16.0 17.0 n/a
1999 312 16.0 19.5 n/a
2000 341 16.0 21.3 n/a
2001 351 17.0 20.6 n/a
2002 338 20.0 16.9 91.1
2003 338 20.0 16.9 91.1
2004 339 21.0 16.1 93.2
2005 327 21.0 15.6 92
2006 303 21.1 14.4 96.6
2007 312 19.0 16.4 90.8
2008 317 19.0 16.7 99
2009 409 22.0 18.6 87.3
2010 311 19.0 16.3 95
2011 305 16.0 19.0 96.7
2012 308 17.0 18.1 97.7
2013 296 19.0 15.5 94.6
2014 256 13.0 19.6 95.3
2015 256 19.0 13.4 96.9
2016 286 21.0 13.6 79.4
2017 281 22.0 12.7 98.9
2018 288 22.0 13.0 99
2019 293 22.0 13.3 97.6
2020 284 22.0 12.9 99.3
2021 152 n/a n/a n/a
2022 155 12.0 12.9 99.4
2023 151 14.0 10.7 99.3

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 Jefferson Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 301 13.0 23.1 n/a
1989 307 13.6 22.5 n/a
1990 287 14.0 20.5 n/a
1991 274 12.0 22.8 n/a
1992 285 13.0 21.9 n/a
1993 251 13.0 19.3 n/a
1994 273 14.0 19.5 n/a
1995 258 14.0 18.4 n/a
1996 258 14.0 18.4 n/a
1997 313 17.0 18.4 n/a
1998 272 16.0 17.0 n/a
1999 312 16.0 19.5 n/a
2000 341 16.0 21.3 n/a
2001 351 17.0 20.6 n/a
2002 338 20.0 16.9 91.1
2003 338 20.0 16.9 91.1
2004 339 21.0 16.1 93.2
2005 327 21.0 15.6 92
2006 303 21.1 14.4 96.6
2007 312 19.0 16.4 90.8
2008 317 19.0 16.7 99
2009 409 22.0 18.6 87.3
2010 311 19.0 16.3 95
2011 305 16.0 19.0 96.7
2012 308 17.0 18.1 97.7
2013 296 19.0 15.5 94.6
2014 256 13.0 19.6 95.3
2015 256 19.0 13.4 96.9
2016 286 21.0 13.6 79.4
2017 281 22.0 12.7 98.9
2018 288 22.0 13.0 99
2019 293 22.0 13.3 97.6
2020 284 22.0 12.9 99.3
2021 152 n/a n/a n/a
2022 155 12.0 12.9 99.4
2023 151 14.0 10.7 99.3

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.

Immunization Rates

Jefferson Elementary School

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Compare
YearPolioMeaslesMumpsRubellaHepatitis BVaricellaDTPMeningococcal
201596.9%98.0%98.0%98.0%32.2%97.3%96.9%
201698.7%98.7%98.7%98.7%37.3%98.7%61.3%12.7%
201799.3%99.3%99.3%99.3%34.8%99.3%97.5%21.9%
201899.3%99.3%99.3%99.3%38.7%99.3%99.3%37.6%
2019100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%40.1%100.0%100.0%38.8%
202193.9%93.9%93.9%93.9%89.3%93.9%93.9%
202293.0%96.1%96.1%96.1%97.7%95.4%93.8%
202397.6%98.4%98.4%98.4%98.4%98.4%98.4%
202495.2%96.0%96.0%96.0%96.0%96.0%

Data source: Illinois State Board of Education
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Jefferson Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $688 (6.2%) $10,401 (93.8%) $11,090
2020 $2,072 (14.0%) $12,752 (86.0%) $14,824
2021 $5,153 (16.6%) $25,836 (83.4%) $30,990
2022 $5,153 (16.6%) $25,836 (83.4%) $30,990
2023 $2,666 (12.3%) $18,959 (87.7%) $21,625
2024 $4,302 (20.8%) $16,402 (79.2%) $20,703

Data source: Illinois Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Jefferson Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1746th of 2086 Elementary schoolsRanks 1506th of 2077 Elementary schools
 11.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson Elementary School)4016
 24%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Chicago Heights School District 170)19.521.5
 2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)36.428.8
 7.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Jefferson Elementary School)17.132
 14.9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Chicago Heights School District 170)16.721.6
 4.9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Illinois)40.633
 7.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson Elementary School)22.617.6
 5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Chicago Heights School District 170)23.828.6
 4.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)36.735.4
 1.3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Jefferson Elementary School)6.50
 6.5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Chicago Heights School District 170)10.514.8
 4.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Illinois)33.527.7
 5.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson Elementary School)8.220
 11.8%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Chicago Heights School District 170)19.729.2
 9.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)37.935.2
 2.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Jefferson Elementary School)4.10
 4.1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Chicago Heights School District 170)12.116.4
 4.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Illinois)29.825.6
 4.2%
5th Grade Science (Jefferson Elementary School)23.436
 12.6%
   5th Grade Science (Chicago Heights School District 170)26.835.8
 9%
   5th Grade Science (Illinois)54.452.4
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students293151
 48.5%
African American13444
 67.2%
American Indian00
Asian00
Hispanic144105
 27.1%
Pacific Islander00
White102
 80%
Two or More Races50
 100%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients97.6%99.3%
 1.7%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Jefferson Elementary School

Jefferson Elementary School ranks 1489th of 2067 Illinois elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Students at Jefferson Elementary School are 70% Hispanic, 29% African American, 1% White.

Students who attend Jefferson Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Bloom High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 151 students attended Jefferson Elementary School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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