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#2131 of 3,813 schools in IL

Gary Elementary School

Elementary School · West Chicago ESD 33

130 E Forest Ave, West Chicago, IL 60185

Enrollment

415

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In West Chicago

#8 of 11

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#1,295 of 2,326

In district

#6 of 8

West Chicago ESD 33

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Gary Elementary School

Gary Elementary School is a regular public elementary school nestled in the heart of West Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, Gary Elementary has an enrollment of 415 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.6:1 with 33 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school’s setting is in a large suburban area, offering a blend of community resources and family-friendly environments.

While the academic performance metrics suggest there is room for growth—with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and a state ranking at #2492 among 3819 Illinois schools—Gary Elementary focuses on fostering student development through dedicated teachers and engaging programs designed to meet the needs of its diverse student body. Located in DuPage County, Gary Elementary is part of a vibrant community that supports families with children’s education. The school setting provides easy access to local amenities and parks, making it an inviting place for students and their families to engage in both academic and extracurricular activities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Overall Proficiency13%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-8.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,859

Gary Elementary School — Students at Gary Elementary School score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 15.7%
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
24%
ELA
21%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
14%
2022
ELA
12%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Gary Elementary School Compares

See how Gary Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
44th percentile in IL
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

130 E Forest Ave, West Chicago, IL 60185

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gary Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bower Elem School (rated 9.1/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Warrenville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Winfield Primary School (rated 7.8/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Winfield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pioneer Elem School (rated 7.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in West Chicago, see our West Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Early Learning Center West Chicago 0.1 mi 7.1
Leman Middle School West Chicago 0.2 mi 7.4
West Chicago Comm High School West Chicago 0.6 mi 5.1
Pioneer Elem School West Chicago 0.7 mi 7.1
Currier Elementary School West Chicago 1.1 mi 6.5
Turner Elem School West Chicago 1.7 mi 6.4
Indian Knoll Elem School West Chicago 1.8 mi 4.6
Wegner Elementary School West Chicago 2.5 mi 5.6
Clifford Johnson School Warrenville 2.9 mi 6.8
Winfield Central School Winfield 2.2 mi 7.1
Winfield Primary School Winfield 2.3 mi 7.8
THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF DUPAGE Warrenville 3.1 mi 6.6
CARMEL MONTESSORI ACADEMY & CHILDREN'S HOUSE Warrenville 3.3 mi 7.3
Benjamin Middle School West Chicago 3.4 mi 6.6
Illinois Youth Center-Warrenville Naperville 4.1 mi
ST FRANCIS HIGH SCHOOL Wheaton 3.4 mi 5.1
Wheaton Warrenville South H S Wheaton 3.8 mi 7.8
Jefferson Early Childhood Center Wheaton 3.5 mi 6.3
Bower Elem School Warrenville 4.5 mi 9.1
Evergreen Elementary School Carol Stream 4.2 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60185 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,063

Median Home Value

$313,600

Median Rent

$1,400/mo

Population

33,711

College Educated

32.6%

Homeownership

79%

Avg Commute

27.1 min

Poverty Rate

11%

Median Age

38.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gary Elementary School has a median household income of $105,063. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $313,600, with a median rent of $1,400/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.0%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Ariel Elem Community Academy Chicago, IL 6.1
Barack Obama Sch of Ldership Chicago Heights, IL 6.1
Beethoven Elem School Chicago, IL 6.1
CHRIST THE KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Springfield, IL 6.1
Caledonia Elem School Caledonia, IL 6.1
Cloverdale Elem School Carol Stream, IL 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gary Elementary School

What grades does Gary Elementary School serve?

Gary Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Gary Elementary School?

Gary Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 415 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gary Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gary Elementary School is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gary Elementary School rank in IL?

Gary Elementary School is ranked #2131 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Gary Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gary Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Gary Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gary Elementary School has 19.0% math proficiency and 15.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gary Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Gary Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Gary Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gary Elementary School?

59.3% of students at Gary Elementary 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

City Safety
Elevated (805/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
DuPage County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Chicago ESD 33
District Enrollment
3,267
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,160
District Rank
#6 of 8

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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