School System Statistics: 544 schools in district. PreK-12th. grades. 414,396 students enrolled. 23,523 classroom teachers. Student/Teacher Ratio - 21.7:1 (Elementary); 20.2:1 (Secondary). 55.4% of teachers with a Bachelor's Degree only. 44.6% of teachers with a Graduate Degree. Per Pupil Cost - $7,102.

District-Wide Programs: Hot Lunch Program, English as a Second Language (ESL), Special Education, Gifted Program, Computer Literacy, Art Instruction, Music Instruction, P.E. Classes, Foreign Language, Early Childhood, Band, Orchestra, Chorus, Sports, Extra-Curricular Activities, Counseling, Tutoring, Preschool Screening, PTA.

IGAP Test Scores (Average): Third Grade Reading - 177. Third Grade Math - 225. Third Grade Writing - 16.7. Fourth Grade Science - 179. Fourth Grade Social Studies - 180. Sixth Grade Reading - 162. Sixth Grade Math - 221. Sixth Grade Writing - 20.5. Seventh Grade Science - 200. Seventh Grade Social Studies - 186. Eighth Grade Reading - 177. Eighth Grade Math - 226. Eighth Grade Writing - 22.4. Tenth Grade Reading - 160. Tenth Grade Writing - 23.5. Tenth Grade Math - 190. Eleventh Grade Science - 210. Eleventh Grade Social Studies - 190. Composite ACT - 17.1. High School Graduation Rate - 65.2%.

Magnet School Programs: Application periods are November 15-January 16 for the High Schools and November 15-December 16 for the Elementary and Middle Schools. Information about Magnet School programs is available in the school system's publication "Options for Knowledge," which can be obtained at any local school or from the district office (magnet school descriptions below have been taken from this publication).

Taft High School. 6545 W. Hurlbut St., Chicago, IL 60631, 773-534-1000

Magnet Programs: Four schools-within-a-school, each offers combined career and college prep. programs: Business Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship; Communication Arts; Engineering and Manufacturing Technology; and Environmental and Health Science.

Voluntary Transfer School: (offers educational opportunities not available at the neighborhood schools). Students accepted on a space available basis if the transfer furthers desegregation at the receiving school.

Oriole Park Elementary. 5424 N. Oketo Ave., Chicago, IL 60656, 773-534-1201

Magnet Programs: Math/Science, Instrumental Music, Gifted Program.

Ebinger Elementary. 7350 W. Pratt Ave., Chicago, IL 60631, 773-534-1070

Magnet Programs: Voluntary Transfer School - grades 1-8.

Onahan Elementary. 6634 W. Raven St., Chicago, IL 60631, 773-534-1180

Magnet Programs: Voluntary Transfer School, Grades 1-8

Dirksen Elementary. 8601 W. Foster Ave., Chicago, IL 60656, 773-534-1080

Magnet Programs: Vocabulary Language Development. Voluntary Transfer School.

Edison School. 6220 N. Olcott Ave., Chicago, IL 60631, 773-534-1209

Regional Gifted Center (provides appropriate services for children identified as gifted, including a curriculum that is faster-paced, broader in scope and presenting subject matter in greater depth than the programs in most neighborhood schools). Testing is required for the regional gifted center program (773-534-3690 for info.).

Farnsworth Elementary. 5414 N. Linder Ave., Chicago, IL 60630, 773-534-3535

Magnet Programs: Voluntary Transfer School.

Edgebrook Elementary. 6525 N. Hiawatha Ave., Chicago, IL 60646, 773-534-1194

Magnet Programs: Voluntary Transfer School.

Norwood Park Elementary. 5900 N. Nina Ave., Chicago, IL 60631, 773-534-1198.

Magnet Programs: Literature-based Instruction; Writing Across the Curriculum; Hands-on Problem-Solving Activities in Math, Science, and Technology; Voluntary Transfer School - Grades 1-8.

Beaubien Elementary. 5025 N. Laramie Ave., Chicago, IL 60630, 773-534-3500

Magnet Programs: Regional Gifted Center (testing is required, 773-534-3690 for information); Computer and Science Lab; Voluntary Transfer School.

Palmer Elementary. 5051 N. Kenneth Ave., Chicago, IL 60630, 773-534-3704

Magnet Program: Bilingual/Bicultural program for grades 5-8 (instruction in both English and Spanish, incorporates students' cultural diversity into the program).

Hitch Elementary. 5625 N. McVicker Ave., Chicago, IL 60646, 773-534-1189

Sauganash Elementary. 6040 N. Kilpatrick Ave., Chicago, IL 60646, 773-534-3470

Wildwood Elementary. 6950 N. Hiawatha Ave., Chicago, IL 60646, 773-534-1188

Garvy Elementary. 5225 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60656, 773-534-1186

Prussing Elementary. 4650 N. Menard Ave., Chicago, IL 60630, 773-534-3460.

Editor's Note: Annual tuition quoted in this table is for one child, Full-day Kindergarten (if available)/Grades 1-8 for Elementary Schools and Grades 9-12 for High Schools. For Catholic Schools, annual tuition quoted is for parishioners. For other denominations, annual tuition quoted is for members (whenever there is a difference between member/nonmember tuition). Any school with an asterisk (*) offers before- and/or after-school care. While we make a reasonable effort to maintain accuracy, we don't guarantee that all information is correct.

Editor's Note: Tuition quoted is the weekly rate for full-time care. Codes in parenthesis: I for Infant, T for Toddler, 2 for Age 2, P for Preschool (Ages 2-5 or 3-5), K for Kindergarten, SA for school-age. For part-time preschool programs (2, 3, or 5 mornings or afternoons per week), the tuition quoted is monthly, with 2x, 3x, or 5x in parenthesis to indicate the number of days per week for each program. While we make a reasonable effort to maintain accuracy, we don't guarantee that all information is correct. For any categories that are blank, please call the center for that information.

Equipment/Physical Features: Sports Fields, Basketball Court(s), Outdoor Playground(s), Fieldhouse, Kitchen, Meeting Room.

Parent/Tot & Children's Classes/Leagues/Camps: Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Parent/Tot Class.

Adult Classes/Leagues/Activities: Softball.

Equipment/Physical Features: Sports Fields, Tennis Court(s), Basketball Court(s), Volleyball Court(s), Outdoor Playground(s), Gym(s), Fieldhouse, Meeting Rooms, Kitchen, Spray Pool.

Parent/Tot & Children's Classes/Leagues/Camps: Baseball, Soccer, Football, Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, Play Group.

Adult Classes/Leagues/Activities: Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball.

Equipment/Physical Features: Sports Fields, Volleyball Court(s), Basketball Court(s), Tennis Court(s), Outdoor Playground(s), Gym(s), Fieldhouse, Meeting Rooms, Kitchen, Spray Pool.

Parent/Tot & Children's Classes/Leagues/Camps: Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Sewing, Arts & Crafts, Parent/Tot Class, Gymnastics, Hockey.

Adult Classes/Leagues/Activities: Softball, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, Sewing, Arts & Crafts, Gymnastics, Hockey.

Other Services: Preschool.

Equipment/Physical Features: Basketball Court(s), Outdoor Playground(s), Volleyball Court(s).

Parent/Tot & Children's Classes/Leagues/Camps: Basketball, Arts & Crafts, Gymnastics, Hockey, Volleyball.

Adult Classes/Leagues/Activities: Basketball, Volleyball.

Equipment/Physical Features: Outdoor Playground(s), Fieldhouse, Meeting Rooms, Kitchen.

Parent/Tot & Children's Classes/Leagues/Camps: Theater, Playschool, Reading/Stories.

Other Services: Preschool.

Equipment/Physical Features: Outdoor Playground(s), Basketball Court(s), Fieldhouse, Spray Pool, Kitchen, Meeting Rooms.

Parent/Tot & Children's Classes/Leagues/Camps: Basketball, T-Ball, Arts & Crafts, Guitar, Music, Reading/Stories, Gymnastics, Seasonal Sports.

Adult Classes/Leagues/Activities: Basketball, Fitness, Guitar.

Other Services: Preschool.

Equipment/Physical Features: Sports Fields, Swimming Pool(s), Volleyball Court(s), Basketball Court(s), Tennis Court(s), Gym(s), Ice Rink(s), Outdoor Playground(s), Spray Pool, Lagoon, Fieldhouse, Auditorium/Stage, Meeting Rooms, Kitchen.

Parent/Tot & Children's Classes/Leagues/Camps: Soccer, Baseball, Softball, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Swimming, Dance, Gardening, Gymnastics, Reading/Stories

Adult Classes/Leagues/Activities: Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, Softball, Swimming, Gardening.

Senior Adult Classes/Clubs/Services/Programs: Fitness.

Other Services: Preschool.

Equipment/Physical Features: Swimming Pool(s), Sports Fields, Volleyball Court(s), Tennis Court(s), Basketball Court(s), Outdoor Playground(s), Gym(s), Auditorium/Stage, Meeting Rooms, Kitchen, Spray Pool.

Parent/Tot & Children's Classes/Leagues/Camps: Swimming, Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Football, Volleyball, Tennis, Basketball, Arts & Crafts, Theater, Parent/Tot Class, Playschool, Gymnastics, Hockey.

Adult Classes/Leagues/Activities: Swimming, Softball, Volleyball, Tennis, Basketball, Acting, Fitness, Music.

Other Services: Preschool.

Equipment/Physical Features: Sports Fields, Volleyball Court(s), Basketball Court(s), Outdoor Playground(s), Ice Rink(s), Fieldhouse, Auditorium/Stage, Meeting Rooms, Kitchen, Spray Pool.

Parent/Tot & Children's Classes/Leagues/Camps: Soccer, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, T-Ball, Softball, Arts & Crafts, Parent/Tot Class, Playschool, Open Gym, Gymnastics, Active Games.

Adult Classes/Leagues/Activities: Basketball, Volleyball, Softball.

Other Services: Preschool.

Equipment/Physical Features: Swimming Pool(s), Sports Fields, Track, Basketball Court(s), Tennis Court(s), Outdoor Playground(s), Ice Rink(s), Cross Country Ski Trail, Fieldhouse, Kitchen, Meeting Room.

Parent/Tot & Children's Classes/Leagues/Camps: Swimming, Baseball, Soccer, Football, Basketball, Tennis, Arts & Crafts, Parent/Tot Class, Playschool, Active Games, Hockey.

Adult Classes/Leagues/Activities: Swimming, Basketball, Tennis, Arts & Crafts.

Senior Adult Classes/Clubs/Services/Programs: Arts/Crafts.

Other Services: Preschool.

Equipment/Physical Features: Sports Fields, Volleyball Court(s), Basketball Court(s), Tennis Court(s), Outdoor Playground(s), Gym(s), Cross Country Ski Trails, Spray Pools, Fieldhouse, Meeting Rooms, Kitchen.

Parent/Tot & Children's Classes/Leagues/Camps: Baseball, Football, Softball, Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Ballet, Dance, Guitar, Music, Playschool, Tiny Tots Class, Open Gym, Gymnastics, Hockey.

Adult Classes/Leagues/Activities: Softball, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, Arts & Crafts, Fitness, Piano.

Equipment/Physical Features: Sports Fields, Basketball Court(s), Volleyball Court(s), Tennis Court(s), Outdoor Playground(s), Ice Rink(s), Gym(s), Bicycle Path, Cross Country Ski Trail, Meeting Rooms, Kitchen, Fieldhouse.

Parent/Tot & Children's Classes/Leagues/Camps: Soccer, Baseball, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Arts & Crafts, Parent/Tot Class, Gymnastics.

Adult Classes/Leagues/Activities: Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Arts & Crafts.

Other Services: Preschool.

Equipment/Physical Features: Sports Fields, Basketball Court(s), Volleyball Court(s), Tennis Court(s), Outdoor Playground(s), Spray Pool, Meeting Rooms.

Parent/Tot & Children's Classes/Leagues/Camps: Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Arts & Crafts, Ballet, Dance, Parent/Tot Class, Gymnastics, Hockey

Adult Classes/Leagues/Activities: Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Fitness.

Other Services: Preschool.

Equipment/Physical Features: Sports Fields, Basketball Court(s), Tennis Court(s), Outdoor Playground(s), Ice Rink(s), Gym(s), Fieldhouse, Auditorium/Stage, Meeting Rooms, Kitchen, Volleyball Court(s).

Parent/Tot & Children's Classes/Leagues/Camps: Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Tennis, Arts & Crafts, Dance, Theater, Music, Parent/Tot Class, Volleyball, Soccer.

Adult Classes/Leagues/Activities: Softball, Basketball, Tennis, Arts & Crafts, Fitness, Piano, Volleyball.

Senior Adult Classes/Clubs/Services/Programs: Arts/Crafts, Piano.

Other Services: Preschool.

Equipment/Physical Features: Sports Fields, Basketball Court(s), Tennis Court(s), Volleyball Court(s), Ice Rink(s), Gym(s), Outdoor Playground(s), Fieldhouse, Assembly Hall, Spray Pool.

Parent/Tot & Children's Classes/Leagues/Camps: Baseball, Soccer, Softball, Football, Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, Gymnastics, Hockey.

Adult Classes/Leagues/Activities: Softball, Basketball, Tennis, Volleyball.

Equipment/Physical Features: Sports Fields, Volleyball Court(s), Basketball Court(s), Tennis Court(s), Outdoor Playground(s), Fieldhouse, Auditorium/Stage, Meeting Rooms, Kitchens.

Parent/Tot & Children's Classes/Leagues/Camps: Soccer, Baseball, Softball, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Arts & Crafts, Ballet, Dance, Theater, Parent/Tot Class, Preschool. Gym, Gymnastics, Hockey.

Adult Classes/Leagues/Activities: Softball, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, Arts & Crafts, Acting.

Other Services: Preschool.