Each score is graded separately against Illinois schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools
What Goes Into This Rating
| Factor | Weight | Score | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📚 Achievement (reading & math, grades 3–8) | 40% | 58/100 | 0.1 grade levels below the national average, 2022–25 (Stanford SEDA) |
| 📈 Growth (how fast students learn) | 45% | 29/100 | Students gain 0.64 grade levels per school year in 2022–25 (national average ≈ 1.0) and gained 1.15 in 2009–19; 13th percentile in Illinois (recent period weighted 70%) |
| 🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type) | 15% | 85/100 | Inputs from NCES school and district data |
Students served: 76% students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Compared with Illinois schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are +28 points better than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)
The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in Illinois. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools
Test Scores & Graduation
| 📖 Reading proficiency | 28% (+2 pts vs. state avg 26%) Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2020–21 |
| ➗ Math proficiency | 31% (+9 pts vs. state avg 22%) Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2020–21 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.
How Student Groups Do Here
Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the Illinois state test (2020–21), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.
| Students | Reading | Math | vs. same group statewide | Rank in state for this group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 32% | 37% | reading -6 pts, math +6 pts | 57th percentile (list) |
| Hispanic | 10% | 10% | reading -9 pts, math -2 pts | 30th percentile (list) |
| Asian | 30% | 25% | reading -29 pts, math -38 pts | 6th percentile (list) |
| Low-income | 27% | 32% | reading -3 pts, math +8 pts | 68th percentile (list) |
Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.
School Information
| Address | 8601 W Foster Ave |
| City | Chicago |
| ZIP Code | 60656 |
| District | 1709930 |
| NCES School ID | 170993001174 |
| Data Year | 2024-25 |
Community Context for 60656
Understanding the community around Dirksen Elem School helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.
💰 Income & Economy
| Median Household Income | $82,992 |
| Per Capita Income | $46,312 |
| Poverty Rate | 5.7% |
| Households Earning $100K+ | 41.9% |
🎓 Education Level
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.1% |
| High School or Higher | 92.0% |
🏠 Housing
| Median Home Value | $339,200 |
| Median Rent | $1,364 |
| Owner-Occupied | 61.8% |
| Renter-Occupied | 38.2% |
Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 60656 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 60656 housing costs →
Student Demographics
Enrollment and demographic breakdown for Dirksen Elem School.
👫 Gender Distribution
🌎 Race & Ethnicity
📋 Enrollment Summary
| Total Enrollment | 1,213 |
| Teachers (FTE) | 67.5 |
| Student:Teacher Ratio | 18.0:1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Repit School Score for Dirksen Elem School?
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Other Schools in 60656
About Repit School Scores
Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:
- Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
- Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
- Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.
Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology
Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026