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James Madison Elementary School

CPS choice · PK,K-8

CPS-published· verified Oct 2026

At a glance

Instruction was rated ‘Strong’ on the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages). 16% 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). In 2021–22, 4 applications were recorded for 4 offers (GoCPS, 2021–22 school year - the most recent seat data SchoolNav has).

Cultural fit
52% of students were chronically absent in 2025 - above what's typical for CPS elementary schools (ISBE Report Card 2025).
Academic performance
21% of students met or exceeded standards on the 2025 IAR - in the middle 50% of CPS elementary schools with published results (ISBE Report Card 2025). Adjusted for low-income share, results sit in the middle 50% of CPS schools with published IAR results (adjusted view, disclosed method - ISBE Report Card 2025).

Computed from published data with its source and year on every clause - a description, never a grade. How the adjusted view works

Basics

CPS-published · verified Nov 2024

Address
7433 S DORCHESTER AVE
Neighborhood
South Shore
Phone
(773)535-0551
Hours
Unknown - not verified yet
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

Painting, Plays/Acting, Band/Orchestra, Rock Band, Student Art Club, Fashion, Art Studio, Dance, Talent Show, Choir/Chorus, 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, Exercise, Football, Wrestling, Jump Rope, Conditioning and Fitness, Basketball, Girls on Track, Double Dutch, 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
Weak
Supportive environment
Neutral
Ambitious instruction
Strong
Effective leaders
Neutral
Collaborative teachers
Neutral
Safety (student-reported)
Weak
Overall organization
Moderately 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

Academic Personalism, Academic Engagement, and Collaborative Practices are rated above the CPS average; Parent Involvement in School, Teacher-Parent Trust, and School Safety 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

63 ▲ above the CPS average (56)

Supportive Environment

60 ▲ above the CPS average (51)

Collaborative Teachers

59 ▲ above the CPS average (52)

Effective Leaders

53 ▬ about the CPS average (52)

Involved Families

42 ▼ below the CPS average (53)

Supplemental measures

Additional survey topics UChicago reports outside the five core measures.

CPS-published · verified Jul 2026Response rates: students 94%, teachers 84%, 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: full, with a waitlist, as of Sep 24, 2026.

Quality rating
ExceleRate Silver Circle of Quality

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

Programs (1)

ProgramEntry gradesHow seats are offeredTest requiredEvidence

Fine & Performing Arts

Magnet cluster

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

  • Tuesday, December 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM
  • Tuesday, February 9, 2027 at 10:00 AM
  • Tuesday, April 13, 2027 at 10:00 AM

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

Members for 2026 to 2028

  • Talisa L Martin · Principal
  • Tytus Cousins · Parent
  • Vanessa Hunter · Parent
  • Alex Robinson · Parent
  • Keena Dunford · Parent
  • Chantasia Jones · Parent
  • Atajene Anderson · Parent
  • Cortez McDaniel · Community member
  • Victor Hunter · Community member
  • Barbara A Appleberry-Tillman · Teacher
  • Marlon J Morgan · Teacher
  • Reginald Lewis · School staff (non-teaching)

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.