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, 708-687-0500Web 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.