Bret Harte Elementary School

1556 E 56th St
Chicago, IL 60637
(School attendance zone shown in map)
3/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 330 students in grades Prekindergarten-8, Bret Harte Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Illinois for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤10% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 28%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 10-14% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 30%).
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is equal to the Illinois state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Illinois state average of 55% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 330 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 97%
  • : Bottom 50% in IL
  • : ≤10% (Btm 50%)
  • : 10-14% (Btm 50%)
  • : 25-29% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

School Overview

Bret Harte Elementary School's student population of 330 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 24 teachers has grown by 26% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Total Students
330 students
This chart displays total students of Bret Harte Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of Bret Harte Elementary School
Total Classroom Teachers
24 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of Bret Harte Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Bret Harte Elementary School by grade.

School Rankings

Bret Harte Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 3,426 schools in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Bret Harte Elementary School is 0.22, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (IL)
#2690 out of 3426 schools
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of Bret Harte Elementary School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
(20-21)
≤10%
28%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Bret Harte Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Illinois by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
10-14%
30%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Bret Harte Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Illinois by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
25-29%
50%
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Bret Harte Elementary School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Illinois by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
1%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Bret Harte Elementary School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Illinois by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
5%
27%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Bret Harte Elementary School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Illinois by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
88%
17%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Bret Harte Elementary School and the percentage of Black public school students in Illinois by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
3%
45%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Bret Harte Elementary School and the percentage of White public school students in Illinois by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
4%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Bret Harte Elementary School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Illinois by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Bret Harte Elementary School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Illinois.
0.22
This chart displays the diversity score of Bret Harte Elementary School and the public school average diversity score of Illinois by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Free Lunch
78%
43%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Bret Harte Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Illinois by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (13-14)
10%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Bret Harte Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Illinois by year, with the latest 2013-14 school year data.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bret Harte Elementary School's ranking?
Bret Harte Elementary School is ranked #2690 out of 3,426 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Illinois.
What schools are Bret Harte Elementary School often compared to?
Bret Harte Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Carnegie Elementary School, Black Magnet Elementary School, Ray Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤10% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 28% IL state average), while 10-14% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 30% IL state average).
How many students attend Bret Harte Elementary School?
330 students attend Bret Harte Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
88% of Bret Harte Elementary School students are Black, 5% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are White, 3% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Bret Harte Elementary School?
Bret Harte Elementary School has a student ration of 14:1, which is equal to the Illinois state average of 14:1.
What grades does Bret Harte Elementary School offer ?
Bret Harte Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-8
What school district is Bret Harte Elementary School part of?
Bret Harte Elementary School is part of City Of Chicago SD 299 School District.
In what neighborhood is Bret Harte Elementary School located?
Bret Harte Elementary School is located in the East Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL.

School Reviews

2   9/1/2010
After one year, my child is transferring. The academic programs are mediocre at best. Some of the teachers lack professionalism and are not committed to the students academic progress. The environment was challenging as well. Many students were rowdy and profanity and threats are an everyday occurrence. My child was extremely uncomfortable with most of the students and I as well. While I did voice my concerns over and over again, my family determined that it was best to move and enroll my child in another school that would be better suited. My child's new school has better academic scores and a great reputation.
- Posted by Parent - rkent

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 330 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 97%
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : ≤10% (Btm 50%)
  • : 10-14% (Btm 50%)
  • : 25-29% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

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