Summary:
The 60436 zip code area in Illinois is home to 4 schools, including 3 elementary schools and 1 middle school. These schools serve economically disadvantaged populations, with high rates of free/reduced lunch eligibility ranging from 71.37% to 97.4%. While the area faces challenges, such as high chronic absenteeism rates and declining academic performance, a few schools stand out.
Rockdale Elementary School has the highest overall performance on the IAR/English Language Arts and IAR/Mathematics assessments compared to the other schools in the area. In 2024-2025, Rockdale Elementary had 31.3% of students proficient or better in ELA, compared to 23.1% at Lynne Thigpen Elementary and 29.5% at Dirksen Junior High School. In math, Rockdale had 14% proficient or better, while the other schools were around 15%.
While not the top performer, Dirksen Junior High School has some bright spots, such as 8th grade ELA scores being higher than the Joliet PSD 86 and state averages. The school also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 14.1, which could contribute to more individualized attention. The presence of Marycrest Early Childhood Center highlights the district's investment in early childhood education, which can have long-term benefits for student success.
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