Is M J Cunningham Elementary School a good school?

M J Cunningham Elementary School ranks in the bottom 17.8% of Illinois elementary schools.

How many students attend M J Cunningham Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 491 students attended M J Cunningham Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of M J Cunningham Elementary School?

Students at M J Cunningham Elementary School are 82% Hispanic, 8% White, 7% African American, 4% Two or more races.

What schools do graduates of M J Cunningham Elementary School attend?

Students who attend M J Cunningham Elementary School usually go on to attend: Middle : Hufford Junior High School High : Joliet Central High School

M J Cunningham Elementary School

Summary:

M J Cunningham Elementary School is a public elementary school in Joliet, Illinois, serving 496 students in grades K-5 and part of the Joliet PSD 86 district.

Despite the school's relatively high spending per student, ranging from $11,172 to $14,188 in recent years, M J Cunningham Elementary consistently underperforms the district and state averages in both English Language Arts and Mathematics proficiency. In the 2023-2024 school year, only 13.6% of students were proficient or better in ELA, compared to 23.1% for the district and 41.2% for the state. In Mathematics, the school's proficiency rate was 10.4%, while the district and state had 10.9% and 28.4%, respectively. The school also faces high rates of chronic absenteeism, ranging from 23.6% to 31.9% in recent years, which is significantly higher than the state average.

When comparing M J Cunningham Elementary to other nearby schools within the Joliet PSD 86 district, the academic performance is generally lower across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, Taft Elementary School, located about 1.16 miles away, outperforms M J Cunningham Elementary in both ELA and Mathematics proficiency. The school's performance also varies across different student subgroups, with the school ranking lower for Special Education and low socioeconomic status students compared to other subgroups, suggesting underlying challenges in the school's learning environment and support systems.

Detail:

Public K-5

500 Moran St
Joliet, IL 60435-4532

(815) 723-0169

District: Joliet PSD 86

SchoolDigger Rank:
1699^th of 2,067 Illinois Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $17,250

Students who attend M J Cunningham Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Hufford Junior High School
High:	Joliet Central High School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.7

Number of students: 491

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

81.9%

White:

7.7%

African American:

6.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 95.3%

See top rated Illinois elementary schools

Compare M J Cunningham Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details M J Cunningham Elementary School ranks worse than 82.2% of elementary schools in Illinois. It also ranks 7^th among 15 ranked elementary schools in the Joliet PSD 86 School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 19.4. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a 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 Racial makeup is: Hispanic (81.9%), White (7.7%), African American (6.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 95.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at M J Cunningham Elementary School is 15.7, which is the 7^th best among 15 elementary schools in the Joliet PSD 86 School District. (See more...)

Compare M J Cunningham Elementary School employs 31.2 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at M J Cunningham Elementary School is $17,250. 13 elementary schools in the Joliet PSD 86 School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

M J Cunningham Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks M J Cunningham Elementary School 1699^th of 2067 Illinois public elementary schools. (See M J Cunningham Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

English Language Learner students:

Special Education students:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Disabled students:

Male students:

Hispanic students:

Joliet PSD 86:

SchoolDigger ranks Joliet PSD 86 739^th of 813 Illinois school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for M J Cunningham Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at M J Cunningham Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2003	21.86	1647^th	2020	18.5%
2004	28.75	1598^th	2030	21.3%
2005	28.14	1623^rd	2022	19.7%
2006	52.06	1264^th	2086	39.4%
2007	49.96	1326^th	2095	36.7%
2008	33.27	1570^th	2092	25.0%
2009	30.62	1630^th	2120	23.1%
2010	29.87	1650^th	2139	22.9%
2011	27.55	1707^th	2147	20.5%
2012	24.02	1780^th	2166	17.8%
2013	15.96	1891^st	2167	12.7%
2014	15.82	1834^th	2093	12.4%
2015	19.77	1713^th	2052	16.5%
2016	16.40	1799^th	2046	12.1%
2017	20.94	1654^th	2044	19.1%
2018	17.24	1752^nd	2037	14.0%
2019	19.65	1742^nd	2086	16.5%
2021	13.87	1817^th	1948	6.7%
2022	21.85	1609^th	2082	22.7%
2023	24.34	1539^th	2077	25.9%
2024	19.40	1699^th	2067	17.8%

See the entire list of Illinois Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at M J Cunningham Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	27.82	613^th	718	14.6%
2019	24.87	677^th	743	8.9%
2021	26.16	504^th	537	6.1%
2022	42.60	393^rd	768	48.8%
2023	43.47	384^th	788	51.3%
2024	25.08	735^th	826	11.0%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at M J Cunningham Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	27.94	569^th	763	25.4%
2019	23.50	1023^rd	1194	14.3%
2021	19.33	625^th	640	2.3%
2022	22.62	1009^th	1113	9.3%
2023	20.51	1043^rd	1156	9.8%
2024	17.51	1130^th	1195	5.4%

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

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at M J Cunningham Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	29.43	1321^st	1765	25.2%
2019	32.48	1307^th	1816	28.0%
2021	22.38	1324^th	1514	12.5%
2022	37.76	1078^th	1763	38.9%
2023	41.00	1024^th	1808	43.4%
2024	31.27	1279^th	1793	28.7%

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

Rank History for Female students at M J Cunningham Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	10.90	1880^th	1964	4.3%
2019	17.49	1757^th	2019	13.0%
2021	12.33	1603^rd	1680	4.6%
2022	20.36	1588^th	1970	19.4%
2023	25.38	1439^th	1957	26.5%
2024	19.83	1599^th	1942	17.7%

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

Rank History for Disabled students at M J Cunningham Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	26.51	707^th	907	22.1%
2024	22.70	780^th	886	12.0%

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

Rank History for Male students at M J Cunningham Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	27.72	1435^th	1972	27.2%
2019	23.34	1584^th	2019	21.5%
2021	14.03	1605^th	1707	6.0%
2022	25.04	1434^th	1977	27.5%
2023	25.07	1456^th	1984	26.6%
2024	20.00	1580^th	1959	19.3%

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

Rank History for African American students at M J Cunningham Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	23.69	617^th	698	11.6%
2023	40.11	374^th	692	46.0%

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

Rank History for Hispanic students at M J Cunningham Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	24.18	789^th	938	15.9%
2019	25.09	795^th	955	16.8%
2021	20.69	706^th	742	4.9%
2022	30.64	683^rd	954	28.4%
2023	38.99	571^st	970	41.1%
2024	28.92	713^th	959	25.7%

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

Rank History for White students at M J Cunningham Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	34.57	983^rd	1463	32.8%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for White 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

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:
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Enrollment information for M J Cunningham Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	200	69	9	26	n/a	n/a	n/a	0	304
1989	219	69	7	24	n/a	n/a	n/a	0	319
1990	217	64	9	35	n/a	n/a	n/a	0	325
1991	214	56	12	36	0	n/a	n/a	0	318
1992	204	60	8	34	0	n/a	n/a	0	306
1993	198	68	10	36	0	n/a	n/a	0	312
1994	196	67	11	47	0	n/a	n/a	0	321
1995	161	70	15	84	0	n/a	n/a	0	330
1996	161	70	15	84	0	n/a	n/a	0	330
1997	169	85	14	97	0	n/a	n/a	0	365
1998	161	96	7	90	0	n/a	n/a	0	354
1999	150	86	10	107	0	n/a	n/a	0	353
2000	140	96	8	123	0	n/a	n/a	0	367
2001	142	107	6	148	1	n/a	n/a	0	404
2002	140	81	6	200	0	n/a	n/a	0	427
2003	140	81	6	200	0	n/a	n/a	0	427
2004	144	98	5	248	0	n/a	n/a	0	495
2005	147	118	3	315	0	n/a	n/a	0	583
2006	119	118	5	358	0	n/a	n/a	8	608
2007	95	88	3	394	1	n/a	n/a	18	599
2008	95	94	2	412	0	n/a	n/a	18	621
2009	83	95	2	419	0	n/a	n/a	28	627
2010	87	69	6	384	0	n/a	n/a	38	584
2011	80	82	3	463	1	0	34	0	663
2012	83	84	2	482	1	0	33	0	685
2013	69	80	3	520	1	0	34	0	707
2014	57	70	5	503	1	0	19	0	655
2015	55	63	4	479	1	0	12	0	614
2016	55	57	4	445	1	0	4	0	566
2017	53	55	5	380	0	0	65	0	558
2018	68	42	5	440	0	0	17	0	572
2019	59	42	3	426	0	0	17	0	547
2020	53	54	3	435	0	0	14	0	559
2021	47	56	4	448	0	0	18	0	573
2022	45	56	0	463	0	0	24	0	588
2023	43	38	1	398	0	0	16	0	496
2024	38	32	1	402	0	0	18	0	491

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 M J Cunningham Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	304	13.6	22.3	n/a
1989	319	15.4	20.7	n/a
1990	325	16.0	20.3	n/a
1991	318	16.0	19.8	n/a
1992	306	16.0	19.1	n/a
1993	312	14.0	22.3	n/a
1994	321	13.1	24.5	n/a
1995	330	14.0	23.6	n/a
1996	330	14.0	23.6	n/a
1997	365	15.0	24.3	n/a
1998	354	15.5	22.8	n/a
1999	353	16.4	21.5	n/a
2000	367	15.5	23.7	n/a
2001	404	17.5	23.1	n/a
2002	427	18.5	23.1	56.9
2003	427	18.5	23.1	56.9
2004	495	24.4	20.3	58.2
2005	583	26.9	21.7	77
2006	608	27.5	22.1	89.7
2007	599	28.0	21.4	74.4
2008	621	25.0	24.8	77.4
2009	627	30.3	20.7	78.8
2010	584	30.2	19.2	93.4
2011	663	30.3	21.8	87
2012	685	31.5	21.7	83.8
2013	707	36.4	19.3	82.6
2014	655	31.0	21.1	99.5
2015	614	33.0	18.6	99.5
2016	566	31.0	18.2	99.5
2017	558	31.0	18.0	99.3
2018	572	32.2	17.7	100
2019	547	33.0	16.5	99.8
2020	559	32.7	17.0	99.3
2021	573	n/a	n/a	n/a
2022	588	32.5	18.0	96.8
2023	496	31.3	15.8	96
2024	491	31.2	15.7	95.3

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 M J Cunningham Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	304	13.6	22.3	n/a
1989	319	15.4	20.7	n/a
1990	325	16.0	20.3	n/a
1991	318	16.0	19.8	n/a
1992	306	16.0	19.1	n/a
1993	312	14.0	22.3	n/a
1994	321	13.1	24.5	n/a
1995	330	14.0	23.6	n/a
1996	330	14.0	23.6	n/a
1997	365	15.0	24.3	n/a
1998	354	15.5	22.8	n/a
1999	353	16.4	21.5	n/a
2000	367	15.5	23.7	n/a
2001	404	17.5	23.1	n/a
2002	427	18.5	23.1	56.9
2003	427	18.5	23.1	56.9
2004	495	24.4	20.3	58.2
2005	583	26.9	21.7	77
2006	608	27.5	22.1	89.7
2007	599	28.0	21.4	74.4
2008	621	25.0	24.8	77.4
2009	627	30.3	20.7	78.8
2010	584	30.2	19.2	93.4
2011	663	30.3	21.8	87
2012	685	31.5	21.7	83.8
2013	707	36.4	19.3	82.6
2014	655	31.0	21.1	99.5
2015	614	33.0	18.6	99.5
2016	566	31.0	18.2	99.5
2017	558	31.0	18.0	99.3
2018	572	32.2	17.7	100
2019	547	33.0	16.5	99.8
2020	559	32.7	17.0	99.3
2021	573	n/a	n/a	n/a
2022	588	32.5	18.0	96.8
2023	496	31.3	15.8	96
2024	491	31.2	15.7	95.3

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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