Markham’s public schools score below 80% of Illinois districts on tests and graduation
In Markham, 12% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Illinois average (26%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Markham, 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.
Markham’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2021, 14% of tested students were proficient in reading and 12% in math, against 30% and 26% statewide; nearly all of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Bremen Community High School District 228 spends $25,258 per student and Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 144 $19,068, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
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 Markham’s grade
C−: better than 20% of Illinois school districts, #639 of 768 Illinois towns. Graduation is above the Illinois average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Markham, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Markham
Prairie-Hills Junior High School
Grades 6–8 · 766 students · 26:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Markham
Prairie-Hills Junior High School
Grades 6–8 · 766 students · 26:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Markham
Prairie-Hills Junior High School
Grades 6–8 · 766 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Markham runs its own schools through grade 8 (Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 144). From grade 9, students attend the Bremen Community High School District 228, shared with Bremen, Country Club Hills, Hazel Crest, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Posen and Tinley Park. Its elementary school is in Hazel Crest. Parts of Markham (20%, 11%, 10%, 9% and 7% of its land) are served by Thornton Township High School District 205, Posen-Robbins Elementary School District 143-5, Hazel Crest School District 152-5, Harvey School District 152 and Midlothian School District 143 instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Markham
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
Markham vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Markham’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Markham | C− | Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 144 PK–8 · Bremen Community High School District 228 9–12 |
| Harvey | D | Harvey School District 152 PK–8 · West Harvey-Dixmoor Public School District 147 PK–8 · Thornton Township High School District 205 9–12 |
| Oak Forest | C+ | Arbor Park School District 145 PK–8 · Forest Ridge School District 142 PK–8 · Bremen Community High School District 228 9–12 |
| Hazel Crest | C− | Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 144 PK–8 · Hazel Crest School District 152-5 PK–8 · Bremen Community High School District 228 9–12 |
| Country Club Hills | C− | Country Club Hills School District 160 PK–8 · Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 144 PK–8 · Bremen Community High School District 228 9–12 |
| Midlothian | C | Midlothian School District 143 PK–8 · Forest Ridge School District 142 PK–8 · Bremen Community High School District 228 9–12 |
| Posen | C | Posen-Robbins Elementary School District 143-5 PK–8 · Bremen Community High School District 228 9–12 |
5 of the 6 neighbors share Bremen Community High School District 228 with Markham for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Markham
12 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).
Questions about Markham’s schools
Are Markham’s schools good?
On Illinois’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Markham children attend score below 80% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #639 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 23%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Markham in?
Two districts: Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 144 runs grades PK–8, and Bremen Community High School District 228 runs grades 9–12, shared with Bremen, Country Club Hills, Hazel Crest, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Posen and Tinley Park.
Where do Markham kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Bremen High School, Oak Forest High School, Hillcrest High School and Tinley Park High School.
What is Markham’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Bremen Community High School District 228 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Markham spend per student?
$25,258 in Bremen Community High School District 228 and $19,068 in Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 144 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Markham families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Markham → 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.