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Irene C. Hernandez Middle School for the Advancement of Science

CPS choice · 6-8

CPS-published· verified Oct 2026

At a glance

91% of teachers stayed from one year to the next - above what's typical for CPS elementary schools (ISBE Report Card 2025). Instruction was rated ‘Strong’ on the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages). The state's 2025 summative designation is Targeted - ISBE has identified the school for additional support. In 2025–26, 15 applications were recorded for 8 offers (GoCPS, 2025–26 school year - the most recent seat data SchoolNav has).

Cultural fit
28% of students were chronically absent in 2025 - about what's typical for CPS elementary schools (ISBE Report Card 2025). Family involvement was rated ‘Neutral’ on the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages).
Academic performance
The state's 2025 summative designation is Targeted - ISBE has identified the school for additional support (ISBE Report Card 2025).
Social-emotional fit
The school’s supportive environment was rated ‘Weak’ on the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages).

Computed from published data with its source and year on every clause - a description, never a grade.

Basics

CPS-published · verified Nov 2024

Address
3510 W 55TH ST
Neighborhood
Gage Park
Phone
(773)535-8850
Hours
Unknown - not verified yet
Website
https://hernanms.enschool.org/splash/
Before and after care
Unknown - SchoolNav found no before or after care listed for this school. Ask on a tour.
Arts and creative

Drawing, Film and Video, Painting, Plays/Acting, Theater, Crochet, Ethnic/Folk Dance, Mosaics, Student Art Club, Culinary Classes, Graphic Design, Murals, Student Music Club, Dance, Guitar, Media and Production Workshops, Drama, Origami, Sketching

From the school’s CPS profile, for the 2026-27 school year. Checked Sep 2026. Offerings change each year, so confirm on a tour.

Sports

Football, Girls' Basketball, Girls' Soccer, Girls' Volleyball, Boys' Baseball, Boys' Track, Yoga/Pilates, Boys' Basketball, Boys' Soccer, Boys' Volleyball, Conditioning and Fitness, Girls' Cross Country, Running, Basketball, Soccer, Boys' Cross Country, Girls' Track, Softball, Volleyball

From the school’s CPS profile, for the 2026-27 school year. Checked Sep 2026. Offerings change each year, so confirm on a tour.

Climate survey
Involved families
Neutral
Supportive environment
Weak
Ambitious instruction
Strong
Effective leaders
Strong
Collaborative teachers
Strong
Safety (student-reported)
Very Weak
Overall organization
Organized

UChicago 5Essentials levels from the spring 2024 survey (CPS Progress Reports SY2425, verified 2026-09-25) - benchmarked categories relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages. A school can answer mostly positively and still rate below the benchmark typical.

5Essentials - the latest survey in detail

Instructional Leadership, Teacher-Principal Trust, and Parent Influence on Decision Making in Schools are rated above the CPS average; Academic Press, English Instruction, and Teacher-Teacher Trust are rated below it this year.

From the 2026 CPS 5Essentials survey (25-26). Scores are benchmarked 1–99 (not percentages) - higher is stronger, and each is shown against the CPS average that same year. This is a newer survey on a different benchmark than the component levels above, so the two aren’t directly comparable.

Show all measures ▸

Ambitious Instruction

64 ▼ below the CPS average (70)

Supportive Environment

62 ▬ about the CPS average (64)

Collaborative Teachers

76 ▲ above the CPS average (70)

Effective Leaders

81 ▲ above the CPS average (66)

Involved Families

71 ▬ about the CPS average (68)

Supplemental measures

Additional survey topics UChicago reports outside the five core measures.

CPS-published · verified Jul 2026Response rates: students 99%, teachers 82%, parents 0%Full 2026 measures report (UChicago)

UChicago Consortium — the 2026 cycle (school year 25-26) is re-benchmarked to spring 2024 (SY25+); it is NOT level-comparable to the spring-2013-benchmarked component levels shown elsewhere.

Programs (1)

ProgramEntry gradesHow seats are offeredTest requiredEvidence

STEM

Open enrollment

6–8Lottery
NoCPS-published · verified Oct 2026

Local School Council

CPS-published· verified Oct 2026

The Local School Council is a group of parents, staff, and neighbors who help run this school. They vote on the budget and the school plan. Their meetings are open to the public, so you can go and listen.

Next meetings

  • Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 8:45 AM
  • Thursday, December 3, 2026 at 8:45 AM
  • Thursday, January 14, 2027 at 8:45 AM

CPS lists the date and time. Ask the school office where the meeting will be held.

Members for 2026 to 2028

  • Kate J Graham-Mchugh · Principal
  • Fanny Serrano Villalobos · Parent
  • Karla Lopez · Parent
  • Sugey Lopez · Parent
  • Margarita Garcia · Community member
  • Yolanda Barrios · Community member
  • Lilian K Sackett · Teacher
  • Luis Ballesteros · Teacher
  • Jeannette M Gutierrez · School staff (non-teaching)
  • Emily Miguel Campeano · Student

CPS keeps the official list of council meetings and members. See the CPS council list.

Parent questions & conversation

What parents and people who know this school are asking, answering, and talking about - their own words, experiences and opinions rather than verified facts.

Parent notes on this school are visible to signed-in Chicago families. Sign in to read and ask.

SchoolNav is not affiliated with CPS. Details change - each fact above shows when it was last verified. Application decisions should always be confirmed in GoCPS.