Skip to main content

Excellent

#297 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 8% in state

Bernard J Ward Elem School

Elementary School · Valley View CUSD 365U

200 Recreation Dr, Bolingbrook, IL 60440

Enrollment

375

Student-Teacher

11:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bolingbrook

#1 of 14

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#208 of 2,326

In district

#1 of 20

Valley View CUSD 365U

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Bernard J Ward Elem School

Bernard J Ward Elem School is a public elementary school in Bolingbrook, IL, part of the Valley View CUSD 365U. The school serves approximately 375 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 11:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 92.2th percentile among IL schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 13% proficiency in math and 13% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $95,120, where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a small city setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)13%
vs. Expected+1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,866

Bernard J Ward Elem School — Students at Bernard J Ward Elem School score 14% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 13%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 13.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 13.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
14%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2022
ELA
17%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.

How Bernard J Ward Elem School Compares

See how Bernard J Ward Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.3/10
92th percentile in IL
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

200 Recreation Dr, Bolingbrook, IL 60440

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bernard J Ward Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Edgewood Elem School (rated 8.6/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Woodridge), with a very similar rating. Another option is John L Sipley Elem School (rated 7.3/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Woodridge), a more accessible option. Additionally, ST SCHOLASTICA PARISH SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Woodridge), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bolingbrook, see our Bolingbrook schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
MIDWEST CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI ACADEMY Bolingbrook 0.4 mi 6.7
ST DOMINIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bolingbrook 0.5 mi 6.3
John R Tibbott Elem School Bolingbrook 0.9 mi 6.8
Jonas E Salk Elem School Bolingbrook 1.3 mi 3.9
Hubert H Humphrey Middle School Bolingbrook 1.4 mi 5.9
Wood View Elem School Bolingbrook 1.7 mi 4.3
Brooks Middle School Bolingbrook 1.4 mi 7.6
Oak View Elem School Bolingbrook 1.6 mi 6.1
Bolingbrook High School Bolingbrook 1.7 mi 7.7
Independence Elem School Bolingbrook 2.1 mi 7.1
ST ALPHONSUS/ST PATRICK SCHOOL Lemont 2.2 mi 5.2
John L Sipley Elem School Woodridge 3.0 mi 7.3
Dr. James Mitchem Erly Chldhd Ctr Romeoville 2.8 mi 7.1
Edgewood Elem School Woodridge 3.4 mi 8.6
Robert C Hill Elem School Romeoville 3.3 mi 5.1
Jane Addams Middle School Bolingbrook 2.7 mi 6.6
ST SCHOLASTICA PARISH SCHOOL Woodridge 3.7 mi 7.3
William F Murphy Elem School Woodridge 3.7 mi 6.2
ST ANDREW THE APOSTLE Romeoville 3.5 mi 6.4
Jamie McGee Elementary School Bolingbrook 3.0 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60440 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,120

Median Home Value

$262,100

Median Rent

$1,648/mo

Population

52,074

College Educated

31.1%

Homeownership

75.1%

Avg Commute

27.7 min

Poverty Rate

9.3%

Median Age

37.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bernard J Ward Elem School has a median household income of $95,120. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $262,100, with a median rent of $1,648/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Anderson Elem School Saint Charles, IL 8.3
East Dubuque Elem School East Dubuque, IL 8.3
Eastland Elementary School Shannon, IL 8.3
Edison Elem Regional Gifted Cntr Chicago, IL 8.3
Elmer H Franzen Intermediate Sch Itasca, IL 8.3
Jesse C White Learning Academy Hazel Crest, IL 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bernard J Ward Elem School

What grades does Bernard J Ward Elem School serve?

Bernard J Ward Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Bernard J Ward Elem School?

Bernard J Ward Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 375 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bernard J Ward Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bernard J Ward Elem School is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bernard J Ward Elem School rank in IL?

Bernard J Ward Elem School is ranked #297 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Bernard J Ward Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bernard J Ward Elem School has a composite rating of 8.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bernard J Ward Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bernard J Ward Elem School has 13.0% math proficiency and 13.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bernard J Ward Elem School a charter school?

No, Bernard J Ward Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bernard J Ward Elem School a Title I school?

No, Bernard J Ward Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bernard J Ward Elem School?

77.9% of students at Bernard J Ward Elem School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
52 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (969/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bolingbrook). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Will County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Valley View CUSD 365U
District Enrollment
14,847
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,208
District Rank
#1 of 20

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.