Photo: Teemu08 · CC BY-SA 3.0Cicero’s public schools score below 89% of Illinois districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 7% of Cicero’s students scored proficient, below the Illinois average (26%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Cicero, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Illinois, not nationally.
From Illinois state tests taken in spring 2021, when nearly all of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Cicero’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 1495 Illinois towns with household incomes within a quarter of Cicero’s, its schools beat 6%, lower than their 11% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Cicero runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares
Unity Jr High School (7–8) is Cicero’s own. From grade 9, students attend the J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 with Berwyn, Berwyn, Forest View, Lyons, McCook, Stickney and Stickney: J Sterling Morton East High Sch. The high school’s own results earn a C−, the highest on the path. See the path ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2021, 13% of tested students were proficient in reading and 7% in math, against 30% and 26% statewide; nearly all of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Cicero School District 99 spends $25,646 per student and J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 $19,103, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Our Lady of Charity School (private) and St. Frances of Rome (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Cicero’s grade
D: better than 11% of Illinois school districts, #718 of 768 Illinois towns. Both inputs trail the Illinois average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Cicero, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Cicero
J Sterling Morton Freshman Cntr
Grades 9 · 941 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Cicero
J Sterling Morton East High Sch
Grades 10–12 · 3,394 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Cicero runs its own schools through grade 8 (Cicero School District 99). From grade 9, students attend the J. Sterling Morton High School District 201, shared with Berwyn, Berwyn, Forest View, Lyons, McCook, Stickney and Stickney. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Cicero
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Cicero vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Cicero’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Cicero | D | Cicero School District 99 PK–8 · J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 9–12 |
| Chicago | C | Chicago Public School District 299 PK–12 · Maine Township High School District 207 9–12 · Township High School District 214 9–12 |
| Stickney | C− | Burbank School District 111 PK–8 · Central Stickney School District 110 PK–8 · Reavis Township High School District 220 9–12 |
| Stickney (village) | C− | Central Stickney School District 110 PK–8 · Lyons School District 103 PK–8 · J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 9–12 |
| Berwyn | — | Berwyn South School District 100 PK–8 · Berwyn North School District 98 PK–8 · J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 9–12 |
| Berwyn (city) | C− | Berwyn South School District 100 PK–8 · Berwyn North School District 98 PK–8 · J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 9–12 |
4 of the 5 neighbors share J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 with Cicero for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Cicero
19 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Illinois’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (J Sterling Morton Alternative Sch).
Questions about Cicero’s schools
Are Cicero’s schools good?
On Illinois’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Cicero children attend score below 89% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #718 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 6%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Cicero in?
Two districts: Cicero School District 99 runs grades PK–8, and J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 runs grades 9–12, shared with Berwyn, Berwyn, Forest View, Lyons, McCook, Stickney and Stickney.
Where do Cicero kids go to high school?
J Sterling Morton East High Sch, with 3,394 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Cicero’s graduation rate?
79% of the class of 2023 in J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Cicero spend per student?
$25,646 in Cicero School District 99 and $19,103 in J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Cicero?
Yes: Our Lady of Charity School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 184 students) and St. Frances of Rome (Catholic, grades K–8, 149 students).
Parents talk
What Cicero families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Cicero → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2020–21, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Illinois. Stars are from neighbors.