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Oak Forest Community Guide

Community Overview

Oak Forest is a village of about 26,000 22 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. While Oak Forest is primarily residential, it has a strong industrial base and some companies are located in the Oak Forest Corporate Center. The town has an active Park District. Schoolchildren attend elementary districts 142, 144, 145 and 146 schools, and go on to Oak Forest High School (district 228). (See below for details on schools).

Transportation needs are served by area highways (I-57, I-80), and major local roads (Cicero Ave., 159th. St.). Commuter service to downtown is provided by Metra's Rock Island Line. Travel time to the downtown Chicago station is about 27 minutes. Local bus service is available from PACE. The RTA Travel Info. Number is 1-800-972-7000.

Important Phone Numbers:

City Hall: 708-687-4050 NICOR: 708-756-0450

Commonwealth Edison: 1-800-334-7661 Ameritech (Phone): 1-800-942-8163.

Fire Dept. For emergencies, 911. Otherwise, 708-687-6050

Police Dept.: 911 for emergencies. Otherwise, 708-687-1376

Public Library: 15624 Central. 708-687-3700

Litle Company of Mary Hospital: 708-422-6200 Christ Medical Center: 708-425-8000

Palos Community Hospital: 708-460-5300 St. Francis Hospital: 708-597-2000

Bremen Community High School District 228 - School District Report

All IGAP Test Scores are from the '97/'98 school year

Bremen Community High School District 228

15233 Pulaski Rd.

Midlothian, IL 60445

708-389-1175

School System Statistics: See table below.

District-Wide Programs: Art Instruction, Music Instruction, P.E. Classes, Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Counseling, Special Education, Foreign Language, Computer Literacy, Sports, Extra-Curricular Activities, Summer School, Hot Lunch Program.

Features: Music Room/Area, Art Room/Area, Gym(s), Swimming Pool, Library, Cafeteria, Outdoor Stadium/Arena, Auditorium/Stage, Science Labs, Computer(s)/Computer Lab(s).

Personnel: Teachers in academic curriculum areas, plus Art, Music, P.E., Library, Vocational Education, Special Education, Social Work, Guidance, Nurse, Gifted/Talented.

IGAP Test Scores (Average): See IGAP Scores Tables below.

Extras: Hot Lunch, Field Trips, Transportation.

Extracurricular: Band, Orchestra, Chorus, School Clubs, Sports, Theater/Drama.

District Schools (Oak Forest only):

Oak Forest High School. 152nd. & Central Ave., Oak Forest, IL 60452, 708-687-0500

Web Site Address: http://www.gsh.org/schools/USA/IL/OFH1841/

School System Statistics

School Name

Grade Levels

Enrollment - School/District

Number of teachers (district)

District % teachers with Bach. Degree only

District % teachers with Master's & above Degree

District Ave. - Pupil/ Teacher Ratio

District Per-Pupil Cost

Oak Forest High

9-12

1,361

4,659

255

28.8%

71.2%

20.6:1

$8,076

IGAP Scores - 10th. Grade Reading-Writing-Math; 11th. Grade Science-Social Studies

Bremen High School District 228

IGAP Scores - Grade 10

IGAP Scores - Grade 11

Graduation Rate

ACT Composite

Subjects

Reading

Math

Writing

Science

Social Studies

Statewide Averages

228

264

26.2

263

249

81.8%

21.5

District Averages

207

246

25.8

251

236

86.7%

20.3

School Averages

Oak Forest High

242

288

27.4

270

261

96.6%

21.9

Forest Ridge School District 142 - School District Report

All IGAP Test Scores are from the '97/'98 school year.

Forest Ridge School District 142

14950 Laramie Ave.

Oak Forest, IL 60452

708-687-3334

School System Statistics: See table below.

District-Wide Programs: Special Education, P.E. Classes, Art Instruction, Music Instruction, Hot Lunch Program, Early Childhood, Preschool Screening, English as a Second Language (ESL).

Features: Gym(s), Music Room/Area, Art Room/Area, Library, Cafeteria, Auditorium/Stage.

Personnel: Teachers in academic curriculum areas, plus Art, Music, P.E., Special Education.

Curriculum: Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, Art, Music, P.E.

Extras: Hot Lunch, Field Trips, Transportation.

IGAP Test Scores (Average): See IGAP Scores Tables below.

District Schools:

Kerkstra Middle. 14950 Laramie Ave., Oak Forest, IL 60452, 708-687-2860.

Ridge Elementary. 5151 149th. St., Oak Forest, IL 60452, 708-687-2964.

L.R. Foster Elementary. 5931 School St., Oak Forest, IL 60452, 708-687-4763.

Jack Hille Elementary. 5800 151st. St., Oak Forest, IL 60452, 708-687-5550.

School System Statistics

School Name

Grade Levels

Enrollment - School/District

Number of teachers (district)

District % teachers with Bach. Degree only

District % teachers with Master's & above Degree

District Ave. - Pupil/ Teacher Ratio

District Per-Pupil Cost

G Kerkstra Middle

6-8

577

1,745

100

57%

43%

19.9:1

$4,679

Ridge Elementary

K-5

307

1,745

100

57%

43%

19.9:1

$4,679

Lee R Foster Elementary

PK-5

499

1,745

100

57%

43%

19.9:1

$4,679

Jack Hille Elementary

K-5

362

1,745

100

57%

43%

19.9:1

$4,679

IGAP Scores - Reading-Math-Writing, 3rd, 6th. & 8th. Grades

Forest Ridge District 142

IGAP Scores - Reading

IGAP Scores - Math

IGAP Scores - Writing

Grades

3

6

8

3

6

8

3

6

8

Statewide Averages

246

248

237

287

282

290

18.7

22.6

24.5

District Averages

288

275

248

340

283

298

20.7

23.3

26.4

School Averages

G Kerkstra Middle

N/A

275

248

N/A

283

298

N/A

23.3

26.4

Ridge Elementary

295

N/A

N/A

356

N/A

N/A

21.1

N/A

N/A

Lee R Foster Elementary

303

N/A

N/A

331

N/A

N/A

21.1

N/A

N/A

Jack Hille Elementary

266

N/A

N/A

342

N/A

N/A

19.9

N/A

N/A

IGAP Scores - Science-Social Studies, 4th & 7th. Grades

Forest Ridge District 142

IGAP Scores Science

IGAP Scores Social Studies

Grades

4

7

4

7

Statewide Averages

251

260

269

261

District Averages

277

276

309

280

School Averages

G Kerkstra Middle

N/A

276

N/A

280

Ridge Elementary

287

N/A

326

N/A

Lee R Foster Elementary

276

N/A

310

N/A

Jack Hille Elementary

266

N/A

287

N/A

Arbor Park School District 145 - School District Report

All IGAP Test Scores are from the '97/'98 school year.

Arbor Park School District 145

15901 Forest Ave.

Oak Forest, IL 60452

708-687-8040

School System Statistics: See table below.

District-Wide Programs: Special Education, P.E. Classes, Art Instruction, Music Instruction, Hot Lunch Program, Counseling, Early Childhood, Preschool Screening, Gifted Program, Before/After-school Care, Computer Literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL).

Features: Gym(s), Music Room/Area, Art Room/Area, Library, Computers/Computer Lab(s), Auditorium/Stage, Outdoor Playground (Grades K-5), Cafeteria.

Personnel: Teachers in academic curriculum areas, plus Art, Music, P.E., Special Education.

Curriculum: Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, Art, Music, P.E.

Extras: Hot Lunch, Field Trips, Transportation, Before- & After-School Care (Grades K-5).

IGAP Test Scores (Average): See IGAP Scores Table below.

District Schools:

Arbor Park Middle. 15900 Oak Ave., Oak Forest, IL 60452, 708-687-5330.

Morton Gingerwood Elementary. 16936 Forest Ave., Oak Forest, IL 60452, 708-560-0092.

Scarlet Oak Elementary. 5731 Albert Dr., Oak Forest, IL 60452, 708-687-5822.

Kimberly Heights Elementary. 6141 Kimberly Dr., Tinley Park, IL 60477, 708-532-6434.

School System Statistics

School Name

Grade Levels

Enrollment - School/District

Number of teachers (district)

District % teachers with Bach. Degree only

District % teachers with Master's & above Degree

District Ave. - Pupil/ Teacher Ratio

District Per-Pupil Cost

Arbor Park Middle

5-8

531

1,290

85

73.4%

26.6%

17.9:1

$5,708

Kimberly Heights Elementary

PK-K

230

1,290

85

73.4%

26.6%

17.9:1

$5,708

Scarlet Oak Elementary

3-4

262

1,290

85

73.4%

26.6%

17.9:1

$5,708

Morton Gingerwood Elementary

1-2

267

1,290

85

73.4%

26.6%

17.9:1

$5,708

IGAP Scores - Reading-Math-Writing, 3rd, 6th. & 8th. Grades

Arbor Park District 145

IGAP Scores - Reading

IGAP Scores - Math

IGAP Scores - Writing

Grades

3

6

8

3

6

8

3

6

8

Statewide Averages

246

248

237

287

282

290

18.7

22.6

24.5

District Averages

269

263

258

270

294

326

18.3

24

27.4

School Averages

Arbor Park Middle

N/A

263

258

N/A

294

326

N/A

24

27.4

Scarlet Oak Elementary

269

N/A

N/A

270

N/A

N/A

18.3

N/A

N/A

IGAP Scores - Science-Social Studies, 4th & 7th. Grades

Arbor Park District 145

IGAP Scores Science

IGAP Scores Social Studies

Grades

4

7

4

7

Statewide Averages

251

260

269

261

District Averages

261

277

301

284

School Averages

Arbor Park Middle

N/A

277

N/A

284

Scarlet Oak Elementary

261

N/A

301

N/A

Tinley Park School District 146 - School District Report

All IGAP Test Scores are from the '97/'98 school year.

Tinley Park School District 146

17316 Oak Park Ave.

Tinley Park, IL 60477

708-614-4510

School System Statistics: See table below.

District-Wide Programs: Hot Lunch Program (Junior High, sack lunches for Grade School children), Early Childhood (Special Education), Tutoring, Art Instruction, Music Instruction, P.E. Classes, Extra-Curricular Activities (Junior High), Sports (Junior High), Industrial Arts (Junior High), Home Economics (Junior High), Foreign Language - Spanish or French (Junior High), Counseling, Band (Grades 5-8), Orchestra (Junior High), Chorus (Junior High), PTA, Special Education, Preschool Screening, Foreign Language - French or Spanish (Junior High), Gifted Program, Computer Literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL).

Features: Library, Cafeteria, Music Room/Area, Gym(s), Art Room/Area, Auditorium/Stage, Computer(s)/Computer Lab(s), Outdoor Playground (Grades K-5).

Personnel: Teachers in academic curriculum areas, plus Art, Music, P.E., Library, Special Education, Social Work, Nurse, Guidance, Vocational Education, (Home Economics, Industrial Arts, Career Exploration).

Curriculum: Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, Art, Music, P.E., Library, Foreign Language.

Extras: Hot Lunch, Field Trips, Transportation.

Special Needs: Behavior Disordered, Emotionally Disturbed, Mildly/Moderately Retarded, Physically Handicapped, Hearing-Impaired, Sight-Impaired, Learning Disabled students. Speech Therapy, Counseling, Some services and classes through the Southwest Cook County Coop. for Special Education & the South Metropolitan Association for Low-Incidence Handicapped (SMA) provided.

Extracurricular (Middle School): Sports, Band, School Clubs, Chorus.

IGAP Test Scores (Average): See IGAP Scores Tables below.

District Schools (Oak Forest grade schools only):

Central Middle. 17248 67th. Ave., Tinley Park, IL 60477, 708-614-4510.

Fierke Education Center. 6535 Victoria Dr., Oak Forest, IL 60452, 708-614-4520.

School System Statistics

School Name

Grade Levels

Enrollment - School/District

Number of teachers (district)

District % teachers with Bach. Degree only

District % teachers with Master's & above Degree

District Ave. - Pupil/ Teacher Ratio

District Per-Pupil Cost

Central Middle

7-8

544

2,519

180

49.3%

50.7%

17.8:1

$6,334

Walter F Fierke Elementary

K-6

415

2,519

180

49.3%

50.7%

17.8:1

$6,334

IGAP Scores - Reading-Math-Writing, 3rd, 6th. & 8th. Grades

Tinley Park District 146

IGAP Scores - Reading

IGAP Scores - Math

IGAP Scores - Writing

Grades

3

6

8

3

6

8

3

6

8

Statewide Averages

246

248

237

287

282

290

18.7

22.6

24.5

District Averages

287

283

251

328

308

319

20.4

24.2

26

School Averages

Central Middle

N/A

N/A

251

N/A

N/A

319

N/A

N/A

26

Walter F Fierke Elementary

291

306

N/A

328

337

N/A

19.7

25

N/A

IGAP Scores - Science-Social Studies, 4th & 7th. Grades

Tinley Park District 146

IGAP Scores Science

IGAP Scores Social Studies

Grades

4

7

4

7

Statewide Averages

251

260

269

261

District Averages

264

271

283

275

School Averages

Central Middle

N/A

271

N/A

275

Walter F Fierke Elementary

266

N/A

305

N/A

Prairie Hills School District 144 - School District Report

All IGAP Test Scores are from the '97/'98 school year.

Prairie Hills School District 144

P.O. Box 233

Hazel Crest, IL 60429

708-210-2888

School System Statistics: See table below.

District-Wide Programs: Hot Lunch Program, Special Education, P.E. Classes, Art Instruction, Music Instruction, English as a Second Language (ESL) - less than 1% of school population district-wide qualifies, Tutoring (Chapter 1 - Math & Reading Remediation), Computer Literacy, PTA, Early Childhood, Preschool Screening, Learning Centers, Gifted Program (Math & Reading for Elementary school students; Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Spanish for Junior High students.), School Uniform (White top & navy blue bottom for Grade School students, White or light blue top & navy blue bottoms for Junior High students. No blue jeans, t-shirts or sweatshirts.).

Features: Gym(s), Music Room/Area, Art Room/Area, Library, Auditorium/Stage, Cafeteria, Computer(s)/Computer Lab(s), Outdoor Playground (Grades K-5).

Personnel: Teachers in academic curriculum areas, plus Special Education, Social Work, Gifted/Talented, Art, Music, P.E.

Curriculum: Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, Art, Music, P.E.

Special Needs: Gifted, Learning Disabled students. Tutoring, Counseling provided.

IGAP Test Scores (Average): See IGAP Scores Tables below.

District Schools (Oak Forest grade schools only):

Prairie Hills Junior High. 3035 W. 163rd. St., Markham, IL 60426, 708-210-2860.

Fieldcrest Elementary. 4100 Wagman St., Oak Forest, IL 60452, 708-210-2872.

School System Statistics

School Name

Grade Levels

Enrollment - School/District

Number of teachers (district)

District % teachers with Bach. Degree only

District % teachers with Master's & above Degree

District Ave. - Pupil/ Teacher Ratio

District Per-Pupil Cost

Prairie-Hills Junior High

7-8

617

3,059

163

66.9%

33.1%

21.6:1

$5,549

Fieldcrest Elementary

K-6

335

3,059

163

66.9%

33.1%

21.6:1

$5,549

IGAP Scores - Reading-Math-Writing, 3rd, 6th. & 8th. Grades

Prairie Hills District 144

IGAP Scores - Reading

IGAP Scores - Math

IGAP Scores - Writing

Grades

3

6

8

3

6

8

3

6

8

Statewide Averages

246

248

237

287

282

290

18.7

22.6

22.8

District Averages

210

199

182

239

242

199

16.2

21.4

School Averages

Prairie-Hills Junior High

N/A

N/A

182

N/A

N/A

199

N/A

N/A

22.8

Fieldcrest Elementary

223

209

N/A

284

230

N/A

16.2

21.3

N/A

IGAP Scores - Science-Social Studies, 4th & 7th. Grades

Prairie Hills District 144

IGAP Scores Science

IGAP Scores Social Studies

Grades

4

7

4

7

Statewide Averages

251

260

269

261

District Averages

192

217

208

199

School Averages

Prairie-Hills Junior High

N/A

217

N/A

199

Fieldcrest Elementary

217

N/A

216

N/A

Private Schools

Editor's Note: Annual tuition quoted in this table is for one child, Full-day Kindergarten (if available)/Grades 1-8 for Elementary Schools and Grades 9-12 for High Schools. For Catholic Schools, annual tuition quoted is for parishioners. For other denominations, annual tuition quoted is for members (whenever there is a difference between member/nonmember tuition). Any school with an asterisk (*) offers before- and/or after-school care. While we make a reasonable effort to maintain accuracy, we don't guarantee that all information is correct.

Name

Address

Phone

Grade Levels

Tuition

Oak Forest Christian Academy*

5217 149th. St.

708-687-1510

PreK - 12th.

$2330

St. Damian School*

5300 W. 155th. St.

708-687-4230

K - 8th.

$1524

Child Care & Preschool Programs

Editor's Note: Tuition quoted is the weekly rate for full-time care. Codes in parenthesis: I for Infant, T for Toddler, 2 for Age 2, P for Preschool (Ages 2-5 or 3-5), K for Kindergarten, SA for school-age. For part-time preschool programs (2, 3, or 5 mornings or afternoons per week), the tuition quoted is monthly, with 2x, 3x, or 5x in parenthesis to indicate the number of days per week for each program. While we make a reasonable effort to maintain accuracy, we don't guarantee that all information is correct. For any categories that are blank, please call the center for that information.

Name

Address

Phone

Ages Enrolled

Hours

Tuition

Acorn Child Care

4815 W. 155th. St.

708-687-9600

6 weeks to 12

6:00 - 6:00

 

Step by Step Preschool & Day Care

5540 W. 159th. St.

708-535-3225

6 weeks to 12

6:00 AM - 6:30 PM

$130 (I); $105 (T); $97 (2); $87 (P); $70 (K); $60 (SA)

Our Savior's Friendship Learning Center

5940 W. 159th. St.

708-687-5268

2 to 10

6:00 - 6:00

$80

Resurrection Preschool

151st. & Central Ave.

708-687-2170

3 to 5

9:00 - 2:45

$55 (2x), $75 (3x)

Oak Forest Preschool

159th. & Lorel Ave.

708-687-2748

3 to 5

9:00 - 3:00

$80

Triple R Child Care

5500 147th. St.

708-385-7474

6 weeks to 12

6:00 AM-6:30 PM

$140 (I); $130 (T); $115 (2); $105 (P); $90 (K)

KinderCare

15700 S. Central Ave.

708-535-2233

6 weeks to 12

6:15 - 6:15

 

Recreation

Oak Forest Park District

15601 S. Central Ave.

Oak Forest, IL 60452

708-687-7270

Equipment/Physical Features: Swimming Pool(s), Tennis Court(s), Outdoor Playground(s), Gym(s), Ice Rink(s), Sports Fields, Golf Course.

Parent/Tot & Children's Classes/Leagues/Camps: Gymnastics, Baton, Ballet, Dance, Arts & Crafts, Hockey, Cooking, Music, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Theater, Flag Football, Karate, Horseback Riding, Piano/Keyboard, Magic, Tae Kwon Do, Wrestling, Babysitting, Ice Skating, Swimming.

Adult Classes/Leagues/Activities: Fitness, Pet Obedience Training, Dance, Basketball, Golf, Arts & Crafts, Ice Skating, Sewing, Keyboard/Organ, Tae Kwon Do, Volleyball, Fashion/Appearance, First Aid, CPR, Financial Planning, Swimming.

Senior Adult Classes/Clubs/Services/Programs: Driving, Men's Group, Women's Group, Bridge, Crafts, Euchre, Pinochle, Trips.

Special Needs: Physically Handicapped, Developmentally Delayed, Hearing-Impaired, Sight-Impaired.

Special Services: Adapted Materials, Remedial Help, Adapted Equipment, Member of South Suburban Special Recreation Association (SRA), 708-481-2390.

Other Services: Preschool.