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Average

#421 of 716 private schools in IL

Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy

Elementary School

525 63RD ST, Downers Grove, IL 60516

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 17 schools in Downers Grove. Learn more

Enrollment

51

Student-Teacher

9.1:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Downers Grove

#4 of 5

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#256 of 471

Academic performance

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy

Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy serves pre-kindergarten through 8th grade in Downers Grove, Illinois, within DuPage County. With 51 students, 6 full-time teachers, and a 9.1:1 student-teacher ratio, the school provides Lutheran faith-based elementary education in a well-regarded Chicago suburb. No standardized test data is available.

Downers Grove is a large suburban community along the Burlington Northern corridor where median household income tops $113,000, home values average $406,000, and 54% of adults hold college degrees — a well-established, family-oriented community with a charming downtown, mature neighborhoods, and one of the best suburban environments in the western Chicago area. The modest enrollment creates a tight-knit community where students and teachers know each other well. Families in the area reflect a community invested in their children's futures, and the school draws from a neighborhood where education is a clear priority.

The suburban setting gives families access to community amenities while maintaining the neighborhood character that makes this a popular choice for local families.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 51 students, Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1, Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy compares to 15 public schools serving similar grades in Downers Grove, IL

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.1:1
This School
vs
14.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
51
This School
vs
371
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.1
This School
vs
7.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 78.4% vs 0%
Black 11.8% vs 0%
Asian 5.9% vs 0%
Hispanic 3.9% vs 0%
Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy Downers Grove Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy (this school) 6.1
Fairmount Elem School 5.8
O Neill Middle School 6.7
El Sierra Elem School 7.8
Kingsley Elem School 9.0
Hillcrest Elem School 7.5
Whittier Elem School 6.9
Indian Trail Elem School 6.9
Lester Elem School 7.1
Prairieview Elementary School 5.5
Lakeview Jr High School 6.6
Herrick Middle School 4.6
Pierce Downer Elem School 8.1
Henry Puffer School 7.2
Highland Elem School 8.1
Belle Aire Elem School 8.2

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in IL.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 7.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,169.6
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 6.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 37%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 3.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 51
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in IL

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 78.4%
Black 11.8%
Asian 5.9%
Hispanic 3.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

525 63RD ST, Downers Grove, IL 60516

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kingsley Elem School (rated 9.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is AVERY COONLEY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, El Sierra Elem School (rated 7.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Downers Grove, see our Downers Grove schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Fairmount Elem School Downers Grove 0.3 mi 5.8
O Neill Middle School Downers Grove 0.5 mi 6.7
El Sierra Elem School Downers Grove 0.7 mi 7.8
Kingsley Elem School Downers Grove 0.9 mi 9.0
Whittier Elem School Downers Grove 1.4 mi 6.9
DOWNERS GROVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Downers Grove 1.4 mi 6.2
Comm H S Dist 99 - South High Sch Downers Grove 1.1 mi 6.4
MARQUETTE MANOR BAPTIST ACADEMY Downers Grove 1.6 mi 6.7
Hillcrest Elem School Downers Grove 1.3 mi 7.5
Westview Hills Middle School Willowbrook 1.3 mi 7.3
Maercker Elem School Westmont 1.4 mi 6.4
AVERY COONLEY SCHOOL Downers Grove 1.5 mi 8.2
Eisenhower Jr High School Darien 1.6 mi 8.5
Elizabeth Ide Elem School Darien 1.8 mi 5.0
South School Westmont 1.7 mi 6.4
ST JOSEPH Downers Grove 1.9 mi 5.0
Lace Elem School Darien 1.8 mi 6.9
Mark DeLay School Darien 1.6 mi 7.7
Indian Trail Elem School Downers Grove 1.6 mi 6.9
Lester Elem School Downers Grove 2.2 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60516 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$118,780

Median Home Value

$423,000

Median Rent

$1,636/mo

Population

28,594

College Educated

53.9%

Homeownership

77.6%

Avg Commute

29 min

Poverty Rate

4%

Median Age

42

Community Profile

The community surrounding Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy has a median household income of $118,780. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $423,000, with a median rent of $1,636/month. The local poverty rate of 4.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Morton, IL 6.1
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Frankfort, IL 6.1
ACARATH MONTESSORI CENTER Schaumburg, IL 6.0
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF LONG GROVE Long Grove, IL 6.0
PYTHAGORAS CHILDRENS ACADEMY Elmhurst, IL 6.0
GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pontiac, IL 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy

What grades does Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy serve?

Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy?

Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy has an enrollment of approximately 51 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy rank in IL?

Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy is ranked #421 out of 716 private schools in IL.

What is Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy 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.

Is Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy a private school?

Yes, Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy is a private coeducational school with a Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy a religious school?

Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy has a Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,001/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
51
Gender Split
41% M / 59% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
172 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
DUPAGE
Data Year
2022–2023

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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