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John B Murphy Elementary School

CPS choice · PK,K-8

CPS-published· verified Oct 2026

At a glance

44% of students met or exceeded standards on the 2025 IAR, placing the school in the top 20% of CPS elementary schools with published results (ISBE Report Card 2025). 89% of teachers stayed from one year to the next—above what's typical for CPS elementary schools. In 2021–22, 91 applications were recorded for 10 offers (GoCPS, 2021–22 school year - the most recent seat data SchoolNav has).

Cultural fit
Family involvement was rated ‘Strong’ on the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages).
Academic fit
89% 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).
Social-emotional fit
64% of students with IEPs spend most of the school day in general classrooms - about what's typical for CPS elementary schools (ISBE Report Card 2025). There is 1 school counselor per 514 students.

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

Basics

CPS-published · verified Nov 2024

Address
3539 W GRACE ST
Neighborhood
Irving Park
Phone
(773)534-5223
Hours
Unknown - not verified yet
Website
http://www.murphy.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

Clay Creations, Drawing, Film and Video, Modern/Hip-Hop Dance, Painting, Plays/Acting, Theater, Band/Orchestra, Ethnic/Folk Dance, Fundamentals/Theory of Music, Mosaics, Rock Band, Animation/Cartoon, Bookmaking, Murals, Percussion, Student Music Club, Violin/Strings, Art Studio, Ceramics, Dance, Guitar, Media and Production Workshops, Musicals, Photography, Talent Show, Choir/Chorus, Drama, Mixed Media, Origami, Piano/Keyboard, Recorder

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, Girls' Soccer, Girls' Volleyball, Boys' Basketball, Running, Basketball, Soccer, Boys' Cross Country, 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
Strong
Supportive environment
Neutral
Ambitious instruction
Strong
Effective leaders
Neutral
Collaborative teachers
Neutral
Safety (student-reported)
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

Teacher Influence, Human & Social Resources in the Community, and Teacher-Teacher Trust are rated above the CPS average; Math Instruction, English Instruction, and Quality of Student Discussion 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

41 ▼ below the CPS average (56)

Supportive Environment

48 ▬ about the CPS average (51)

Collaborative Teachers

54 ▬ about the CPS average (52)

Effective Leaders

56 ▲ above the CPS average (52)

Involved Families

61 ▲ above the CPS average (53)

Supplemental measures

Additional survey topics UChicago reports outside the five core measures.

CPS-published · verified Jul 2026Response rates: students 87%, teachers 66%, 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.

  • Half-day Pre-K · for children age 3 and age 4

    Seats: full, with a waitlist, as of Sep 24, 2026.

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

    Seats: full, with a waitlist, 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

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

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

  • Lorelei R Shick · Principal
  • Christina Navarro · Parent
  • Bridgette Bertran · Parent
  • Woodsum Kelly · Parent
  • Joseph Olivier · Parent
  • Gretchen Siffring · Parent
  • Kirsten Hair · Parent
  • DICKRONOUHI Nichols · Community member
  • Jennifer Henderson · Community member
  • Maureen Murphy · Teacher
  • Sonia Zamarron · Teacher
  • Guadalupe Color · 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.