At a glance
Reported students
305
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
19.25
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
15.8:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
KG–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Illinois elementary enrollment
36th percentile
Compared with 2,323 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
377
Talala Elementary in Park Forest: 305 reported students.
State peer staffing position
86th percentile
15.8:1 reported; state peer median 13.1:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 231
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26.31
- Student–teacher ratio
- 8.8:1
What the reported data says about Talala Elementary in Park Forest
Talala Elementary in Park Forest is a public elementary school serving grades KG–05 in Park Forest. It is one of 8 current school records connected to Crete Monee CUSD 201U. NCES reports 305 students for 2024–25.
Among 2,323 elementary schools in Illinois with comparable records, this school is smaller than the reported median of 365 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 36th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 15.8:1, above the Illinois median of 13.1:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Black (59.3%) and Hispanic or Latino (33.4%). English learners represent 1.3% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 17.7%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking Talala Elementary in Park Forest
- 1How do the reported 15.8:1 student–teacher ratio and 19.25 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 0 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 1.3%
- Students with disabilities
- 17.7%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 85.2%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- Social workers (FTE)
- 1
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White1.3%
- Hispanic33.4%
- Black59.3%
- Asian0.3%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.7%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial4.9%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Not reported as offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Crete Monee CUSD 201U
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Coretta Scott King Magnet School in University Park
Elementary · Grades KG–05
293 reported students
Monee Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
373 reported students
Crete Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
381 reported students
Balmoral Elem Sch
Elementary · Grades KG–05
472 reported students
Crete-Monee Early Childhood Cntr
Other · Grades PK–PK
256 reported students
Crete-Monee Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
1,002 reported students
Public schools near Talala Elementary in Park Forest
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackhawk Primary Center Elementary · Park Forest - Chicago Heights School District 163 | KG–03 | 167 | 0.6 mi |
| Mohawk Primary Center Elementary · Park Forest - Chicago Heights School District 163 | KG–03 | 283 | 0.7 mi |
| 21st Century Primary Center Elementary · Park Forest - Chicago Heights School District 163 | KG–03 | 152 | 1 mi |
| Neil Armstrong Elem School Elementary · ESD 159 | KG–05 | 266 | 2.2 mi |
| Matteson Elem School Elementary · Matteson ESD 162 | KG–03 | 420 | 2.4 mi |
| Coretta Scott King Magnet School in University Park Elementary · Crete Monee CUSD 201U | KG–05 | 293 | 2.5 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Talala Elementary in Park Forest
What grades does Talala Elementary in Park Forest serve?
Talala Elementary in Park Forest reports grades KG–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Crete Monee CUSD 201U.
How many students attend Talala Elementary in Park Forest?
Talala Elementary in Park Forest reported 305 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 36th percentile among 2,323 Illinois elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 231 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Talala Elementary in Park Forest?
The calculated ratio is 15.8:1, based on 305 students and 19.25 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Illinois median for the same school level is 13.1:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Talala Elementary in Park Forest a public, charter, or magnet school?
Talala Elementary in Park Forest is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Crete Monee CUSD 201U attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Talala Elementary in Park Forest students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
85.2% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Talala Elementary in Park Forest in?
Talala Elementary in Park Forest is part of Crete Monee CUSD 201U, based in Crete, IL, which operates 8 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Talala Elementary in Park Forest?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Blackhawk Primary Center (0.6 mi), Mohawk Primary Center (0.7 mi), 21st Century Primary Center (1 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.