Taft High School is a public four-year high school located in the Norwood Park neighborhood on the northwest side of Chicago, Illinois, United States.
Serving 4,416 students in grades 7-12, Taft High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Illinois for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 25% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 28%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 32% (which is higher than the Illinois state average of 30%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Illinois state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Illinois state average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 7-12
- Enrollment: 4,416 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 59%
- Graduation Rate: 88% (Top 50% in IL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 25% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 32% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 37% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Taft High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
Taft High School's student population of 4,416 students has grown by 29% over five school years.
The teacher population of 275 teachers has grown by 43% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 7-12
Total Students
4,416 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
275 teachers
Year Founded
1939
Colors
Blue, Silver
School Rankings
Taft High School ranks within the top 50% of all 3,426 schools in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Taft High School is 0.64, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1257 out of 3426 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)25%
28%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
50%
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
7%
6%
Hispanic
44%
28%
Black
3%
16%
White
41%
45%
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
4%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
88%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
42%
43%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (13-14)
14%
3%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Eagles
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Taft High School's ranking?
Taft High School is ranked #1257 out of 3,426 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Illinois.
What schools are Taft High School often compared to?
Taft High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Lane Technical High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
25% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 28% IL state average), while 32% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 30% IL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Taft High School?
The graduation rate of Taft High School is 88%, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 87%.
How many students attend Taft High School?
4,416 students attend Taft High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
44% of Taft High School students are Hispanic, 41% of students are White, 7% of students are Asian, 4% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Taft High School?
Taft High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 13:1.
What grades does Taft High School offer ?
Taft High School offers enrollment in grades 7-12
What school district is Taft High School part of?
Taft High School is part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District.
In what neighborhood is Taft High School located?
Taft High School is located in the Norwood Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL. There are 4 other public schools located in Norwood Park.
School Reviews
Review Taft High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
