Mahalia Jackson Elementary School
CPS choice · PK,K-8
At a glance
On the 5Essentials survey, Instruction was rated ‘Very Strong’ and the school’s supportive environment was rated ‘Strong’ (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages). 19% 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, 12 applications were recorded for 10 offers (GoCPS, 2021–22 school year - the most recent seat data SchoolNav has).
- Cultural fit
- 54% of students were chronically absent in 2025 - above what's typical for CPS elementary schools (ISBE Report Card 2025).
- Academic performance
- The state's 2025 summative designation is Comprehensive - ISBE has identified the school for additional support (ISBE Report Card 2025).
- Academic fit
- Instruction was rated ‘Very Strong’ on the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages). 65% of teachers stayed from one year to the next - below what's typical for CPS elementary schools (ISBE Report Card 2025).
- Social-emotional fit
- The school’s supportive environment was rated ‘Strong’ on the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages). 19% 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
- 917 W 88TH ST
- Neighborhood
- Auburn Gresham
- Phone
- (773)535-3341
- Hours
- Unknown - not verified yet
- Website
- http://www.mjacksoncps.com/
- 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
Film and Video, Modern/Hip-Hop Dance, Painting, Plays/Acting, Theater, Band/Orchestra, Student Art Club, Culinary Classes, Student Music Club, Art Studio, Dance, Guitar, Media and Production Workshops, 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, Football, Girls' Basketball, Girls' Volleyball, Boys' Track, Boys' Basketball, Boys' Soccer, Girls' Cross Country, Basketball, Dance, Soccer, Boys' Cross Country, 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
- Neutral
- Supportive environment
- Strong
- Ambitious instruction
- Very Strong
- Effective leaders
- Neutral
- Collaborative teachers
- Neutral
- 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
Parent Supportiveness, Emotional Health, and Course Clarity are rated above the CPS average 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 ▸Hide measures ▾
Ambitious Instruction
78 ▲ above the CPS average (56)- Academic Press· students-reported71 ▲ above the CPS average (53)
- English Instruction· students-reported88 ▲ above the CPS average (59)
- Math Instruction· students-reported75 ▲ above the CPS average (57)
- Quality of Student Discussion· teachers-reportednot enough responses
Supportive Environment
64 ▲ above the CPS average (51)- Academic Personalism· students-reported66 ▲ above the CPS average (51)
- Peer Support for Academic Work· students-reported73 ▲ above the CPS average (53)
- Safety· students-reported58 ▲ above the CPS average (48)
- Student-Teacher Trust· students-reported58 ▲ above the CPS average (50)
Collaborative Teachers
- Collaborative Practices· teachers-reportednot enough responses
- Collective Responsibility· teachers-reportednot enough responses
- Quality Professional Development· teachers-reportednot enough responses
- School Commitment· teachers-reportednot enough responses
- Teacher-Teacher Trust· teachers-reportednot enough responses
Effective Leaders
- Instructional Leadership· teachers-reportednot enough responses
- Program Coherence· teachers-reportednot enough responses
- Teacher Influence· teachers-reportednot enough responses
- Teacher-Principal Trust· teachers-reportednot enough responses
Involved Families
- Parent Influence on Decision Making in Schools· teachers-reportednot enough responses
- Parent Involvement in School· teachers-reportednot enough responses
- Teacher-Parent Trust· teachers-reportednot enough responses
Supplemental measures
Additional survey topics UChicago reports outside the five core measures.
- Academic Engagement· students-reported82 ▲ above the CPS average (57)
- Classroom Disruptions· teachers-reportednot enough responses
- Classroom Rigor· students-reported69 ▲ above the CPS average (53)
- Course Clarity· students-reported93 ▲ above the CPS average (54)
- Emotional Health· students-reported96 ▲ above the CPS average (55)
- Human & Social Resources in the Community· students-reported54 ▲ above the CPS average (47)
- Innovation· teachers-reportednot enough responses
- Inquiry-Based Science Instruction· students-reported73 ▲ above the CPS average (59)
- Parent Supportiveness· students-reported96 ▲ above the CPS average (48)
- Reflective Dialogue· teachers-reportednot enough responses
- Rigorous Study Habits· students-reported54 ▲ above the CPS average (48)
- School Connectedness· students-reported65 ▲ above the CPS average (53)
- School Safety· students-reported63 ▲ above the CPS average (54)
- Socialization of New Teachers· teachers-reportednot enough responses
- Student Peer Relationships· students-reported75 ▲ above the CPS average (54)
- Student Responsibility· teachers-reportednot enough responses
- Teacher Safety· teachers-reportednot enough responses
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 2026This 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)
| Program | Entry grades | How seats are offered | Test required | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Open Enrollment (general program, seats by lottery) Open enrollment | K–8 | Lottery | No | CPS-published · verified Oct 2026 |
Local School Council
CPS-published· verified Oct 2026The 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, November 17, 2026 at 3:15 PM
- Tuesday, December 15, 2026 at 3:15 PM
- Tuesday, January 19, 2027 at 3:15 PM
CPS lists the date and time. Ask the school office where the meeting will be held.
Members for 2026 to 2028
- Tracey Redmond · Principal
- Nina Woodard · Parent
- Chana Wilson · Parent
- Brittany Hogan · Parent
- Sayoni Bond · Parent
- ESTELLA JOHNSON SOLID · Parent
- Hardaway Georgette · Parent
- Bernadette Hogan · Community member
- Gayle Parker · Community member
- Susie McNeal · Teacher
- Jennifer McDonald · Teacher
- Renee Pettigrew · 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.