Wayne Thomas Elem School vs Sherwood Elem School

Wayne Thomas Elementary School holds a 9.6/10 overall rating against Sherwood Elementary School's 9.0/10 — a gap of 0.6 points that translates into a significant difference in state standing. Wayne Thomas ranks #16 of 3,813 Illinois elementary schools, placing it in the top 0.5 percent statewide. Sherwood ranks #83 of 3,813, which is still an elite position — top 2.2 percent — but trails its Highland Park neighbor by 67 spots on the same scale.

The academic and growth scores drive most of that separation. Wayne Thomas Elementary School scores 9.3/10 on academics versus Sherwood Elementary School's 8.2/10, an 1.1-point delta that reflects meaningfully higher proficiency levels in tested subjects. On growth — how much students advance relative to peers with similar starting points — Wayne Thomas scores 9.9/10 against Sherwood's already-strong 9.2/10. Both schools cover grades KG–05, so families are comparing equivalent grade spans with no structural difference in years served.

The two schools diverge on size and staffing ratios. Sherwood Elementary School enrolls 354 students with a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, one of the lowest ratios attainable at a school this size, meaning more individualized attention per child. Wayne Thomas Elementary School serves 442 students — 88 more — at a 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio. That ratio is still well below state and national averages, but families prioritizing the smallest possible class environment will find Sherwood's numbers meaningfully tighter.

Both schools sit 2.8 miles apart within the same Highland Park district, making them direct geographic alternatives for many families. The programs, grade configuration, and district context are shared — the differences come down to scale and outcomes. Wayne Thomas leads on every performance metric published, while Sherwood counters with a smaller enrollment footprint and a staffing ratio that is 3.8 students per teacher lower.