Lowell Elem School vs Madison Elem School

Lowell Elem School and Madison Elem School sit 2.1 miles apart in Wheaton, Illinois, and are closely matched at the top of the state — but Lowell Elem School holds a 0.3-point overall edge (9.4/10 vs 9.1/10). That gap is backed by state rankings: Lowell Elem School sits at #51 of 3,813 Illinois schools, while Madison Elem School ranks #103 of 3,813 — a meaningful 52-position difference when you're already in the top 3% statewide.

The academic picture runs in opposite directions depending on what you prioritize. Madison Elem School leads on the academic score (9.5/10 vs 9.2/10), meaning its students test at a higher proficiency level. Lowell Elem School counters with a significantly stronger growth score — 9.6/10 versus Madison Elem School's 8.9/10 — a 0.7-point gap indicating that Lowell students gain more learning per year relative to expectations. Families who care whether the school is actively accelerating kids forward, not just enrolling high-performers, will find that distinction meaningful.

Lowell Elem School enrolls 266 students compared to Madison Elem School's 356, and that size difference shows up in the classroom: Lowell's student-teacher ratio is 10.6:1 versus Madison's 12.7:1, meaning each Lowell teacher works with roughly two fewer students. Lowell also has a slightly higher free/reduced lunch share — 29% versus Madison's 24% — suggesting it serves a modestly broader economic mix within the same district.

One concrete structural difference is grade span. Madison Elem School opens enrollment at Pre-K, giving families the option to start a child as early as age 3 or 4 within the same school community. Lowell Elem School begins at Kindergarten, so Pre-K families would need a separate program before transitioning in at KG.