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Average

#1884 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 49% in state

Cherokee Elem School

Elementary School · Lake Forest SD 67

475 Cherokee Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045

Enrollment

339

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lake Forest

#6 of 7

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#1,161 of 2,326

In district

#4 of 5

Lake Forest SD 67

School environment

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Cherokee Elem School

Cherokee Elementary School serves 339 students in kindergarten through fourth grade in Lake Forest, Illinois, with an impressive student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1 supported by 33 full-time equivalent teachers. This public elementary school has earned strong recognition, ranking in the 90th percentile statewide at #370 out of 3,819 Illinois elementary schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with an 8.0 academic score, though reading and language arts proficiency rates show room for continued growth at 42% of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.

The small class sizes likely contribute to more individualized attention for students as they build foundational skills in these early elementary years. Cherokee Elementary sits in the heart of Lake Forest's affluent community, where the median household income reaches $201,847 and home values average $880,200. The neighborhood reflects a highly educated population, with 81% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low 4% poverty rate among the area's 21,159 residents.

Located on Cherokee Road in this large suburban setting, the school serves families in one of Lake County's most prosperous and education-focused communities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+5.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$30,179

Cherokee Elem School — Students at Cherokee Elem School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 72.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
42%
2022
ELA
42%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Cherokee Elem School Compares

See how Cherokee Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
51th percentile in IL
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Location

475 Cherokee Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cherokee Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wayne Thomas Elem School (rated 9.6/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Highland Park), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sheridan Elem School (rated 9.1/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bannockburn School (rated 8.8/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Bannockburn), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lake Forest, see our Lake Forest schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
WOODLANDS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART Lake Forest 0.8 mi 8.6
LAKE FOREST COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Lake Forest 0.8 mi 7.7
Wayne Thomas Elem School Highland Park 1.5 mi 9.6
SCHOOL OF ST MARY Lake Forest 1.6 mi 7.0
Northwood Middle School Highland Park 1.6 mi 8.0
Deer Path Middle Sch East Lake Forest 1.7 mi 7.1
Deer Path Middle Sch West Lake Forest 1.7 mi 5.8
SCHOOL OF ST MARY UPPER GRADE CENTER Lake Forest 1.7 mi 7.1
Oak Terrace Elem School Highwood 2.1 mi 7.6
Sheridan Elem School Lake Forest 2.7 mi 9.1
Lake Forest High School Lake Forest 2.7 mi 8.2
Everett Elem School Lake Forest 2.1 mi 7.6
Deerfield High School Deerfield 2.8 mi 8.9
Bannockburn School Bannockburn 2.7 mi 8.8
ARLYN DAY SCHOOL Highland Park 2.5 mi 8.0
Highland Park High School Highland Park 2.8 mi 8.9
Walden Elem School Deerfield 3.4 mi 6.1
Lake Bluff Middle School Lake Bluff 3.5 mi 5.6
Indian Trail Elem School Highland Park 3.1 mi 8.4
Edgewood Middle School Highland Park 3.2 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60045 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$225,551

Median Home Value

$899,200

Median Rent

$2,321/mo

Population

20,957

College Educated

81.2%

Homeownership

89.2%

Avg Commute

33.1 min

Poverty Rate

3.9%

Median Age

46.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cherokee Elem School has a median household income of $225,551. It is a well-educated community where 81% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $899,200, with a median rent of $2,321/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Blackhawk Elem School Freeport, IL 6.3
Carruthers Elementary School Murphysboro, IL 6.3
Carver Primary School Chicago, IL 6.3
Centennial Elem School Polo, IL 6.3
Costello School Lyons, IL 6.3
Devonshire Elem School Skokie, IL 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cherokee Elem School

What grades does Cherokee Elem School serve?

Cherokee Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Cherokee Elem School?

Cherokee Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 339 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Elem School is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cherokee Elem School rank in IL?

Cherokee Elem School is ranked #1884 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Cherokee Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cherokee Elem School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Cherokee Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cherokee Elem School has 72.0% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cherokee Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Cherokee Elem School a Title I school?

No, Cherokee Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (646/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
339
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lake County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lake Forest SD 67
District Enrollment
1,657
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$30,131
District Rank
#4 of 5

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

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