The top reported proficiency rate is 64% in English language arts. The lowest is 31% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on James Hart School
James Hart School is a grades 6–8 middle school in Homewood, in Cook County. The school enrolls a modestly sized student body across three grade levels, with slightly more sixth graders than seventh and eighth grade cohorts. The student population is predominantly Black, with substantial Hispanic and white representation and smaller numbers of students identifying as multiracial or Asian. The school's demographic profile reflects the broader character of Homewood, a south-suburban village south of Chicago that has retained a historic downtown and residential character while hosting the U.S. headquarters of Canadian National Railway and serving as a hub for regional logistics and transportation work.
State assessment results for James Hart in reading and math show a clear divide by subject. In English language arts, the school's proficiency runs substantially stronger. Sixth-grade students showed proficiency at a fairly high level, seventh graders at a moderate level, and eighth graders at roughly the moderate mark as well. These results suggest students are grasping reading and writing at rates notably above the school's math performance. In mathematics, however, proficiency is low across all tested grades. Sixth-grade math proficiency sits below one-third, seventh-grade proficiency at roughly one-third, and eighth-grade proficiency at about the same. This is a significant soft spot. Science results, available only for eighth grade, fall between the math and reading rates. When averaged across tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index sits above the midpoint among districts in Cook County, a position that reflects the strength in reading even as math performance drags the aggregate down. A parent may want to look into whether the school has specific math interventions underway or planned.
Test participation in the grades where results are available runs at very high levels, suggesting the school has strong completion and engagement in testing. Enrollment data by specific demographic group and information about students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch are not available in the data provided, so a prospective parent seeking detail on socioeconomic composition or specific needs support should reach out to the district directly. Similarly, the school's staffing levels, discipline policies, attendance patterns, and course offerings are not included here; the school's website or a call to the main office can clarify those details.
The broader context matters. Homewood voters approved a property tax increase in 2022 specifically to stabilize the district's long-term finances and move away from relying on short-term bond referendums. That vote reflects parent and community commitment to maintaining school operations. The community itself is investing in its downtown and transit infrastructure through a transit-oriented development master plan centered on the recently rebuilt Metra/Amtrak station and Pace connections, which completed renovations in late 2024. This suggests an active civic investment in the village's future.
The housing market in the Homewood zip code shows modest home values relative to state and national benchmarks, with rental costs in the moderate range for the region. Supply of homes for sale is elevated, reflecting a wider market picture. Mortgage rates and local unemployment sit near national levels, and the affordability calculation suggests renting is substantially more expensive than the estimated mortgage on a median-listed home, though the rent-to-income ratio is still steep for many families.
James Hart serves a particular neighborhood and student body. Its marked strength in reading, contrasted with significantly weaker results in mathematics, creates a clear area where families should ask the school about intervention and support if their child struggles with math. The school's position above the midpoint overall in the Cook County comparison is real, but it masks a subject-level gap worth understanding before enrollment.
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