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James Farmer Jr Elementary School

CPS choice · PK,K-8

CPS-published· verified Oct 2026

At a glance

On the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages), Instruction was rated ‘Strong’ and Family involvement was rated ‘Very Weak’. In 2025–26, 12 applications were recorded for 5 offers (GoCPS, 2025–26 school year - the most recent seat data SchoolNav has).

Cultural fit
Family involvement was rated ‘Very Weak’ 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).
Academic fit
Instruction was rated ‘Strong’ on the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages). On the 5Essentials survey, school leadership was rated ‘Weak’ and teacher collaboration was rated ‘Very Weak’.
Social-emotional fit
27% of students with IEPs spend most of the school day in general classrooms - below what's typical for CPS elementary schools (ISBE Report Card 2025).

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

Basics

CPS-published · verified Nov 2024

Address
4214 S ST LAWRENCE AVE
Neighborhood
Grand Boulevard
Phone
(773)535-1687
Hours
Unknown - not verified yet
Website
http://fuller.cps.edu/
Before and after care

Supplemental care not found.

SchoolNav searched the school’s website and the main care providers’ pages in Sep 2026 and found no before or after care. Some programs are never posted online, so ask the school office or on a tour.

Arts and creative

Theater, Student Art Club, Drama

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

Cheerleading, Football, Boys' Track, Basketball, Dance, Soccer, Girls' Track, 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
Very Weak
Supportive environment
Weak
Ambitious instruction
Strong
Effective leaders
Weak
Collaborative teachers
Very Weak
Safety (student-reported)
Very Weak
Overall organization
Not Yet 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

Parent Involvement in School, School Commitment, and Teacher-Parent 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

49 ▼ below the CPS average (56)

Supportive Environment

35 ▼ below the CPS average (51)

Collaborative Teachers

33 ▼ below the CPS average (52)

Effective Leaders

41 ▼ below the CPS average (52)

Involved Families

22 ▼ below the CPS average (53)

Supplemental measures

Additional survey topics UChicago reports outside the five core measures.

CPS-published · verified Jul 2026Response rates: students 96%, teachers 69%, 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.

Pre-K

CPS-published· verified Sep 2026

This school has Pre-K. Families apply for Pre-K through Chicago Early Learning, not GoCPS.

  • Full-day Pre-K · for children age 4

    Seats: limited availability, as of Sep 24, 2026.

Quality rating
ExceleRate Gold Circle of Quality

Apply through Chicago Early Learning · How Pre-K applications work

Programs (1)

ProgramEntry gradesHow seats are offeredTest requiredEvidence

Open Enrollment (general program, seats by lottery)

Open enrollment

K–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

CPS has not posted any upcoming meetings for this council yet.

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

Members for 2026 to 2028

  • Marla E Reid · Principal
  • Navi Cathey · Parent
  • Debbenita Butler · Parent
  • Danielle Alston · Community member
  • Marcus Smith · Community member
  • Cierra T Foster · Teacher
  • Gwendolyn McElmurry · Teacher
  • Tonya Paul · School staff (non-teaching)
  • Brooklyn Tweh · 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.