Very Good
#1105 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 29% in state
Hawthorn Elem School South
Elementary School · Hawthorn CCSD 73
430 N Aspen Dr, Vernon Hills, IL 60061
Enrollment
517
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
517
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
1st – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Vernon Hills
#7 of 9
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#707 of 2,326
In district
#6 of 9
Hawthorn CCSD 73
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Hawthorn Elem School South
Hawthorn Elementary School South serves 517 students in grades 1-5 in Vernon Hills, providing a strong academic foundation with a favorable 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio across its 45 full-time equivalent teaching staff. The school has earned recognition as one of Illinois' top-performing elementary schools, ranking #167 out of 3,819 schools statewide and placing in the 96th percentile with an impressive 8.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. Academically, Hawthorn Elementary South demonstrates solid performance with 49% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels.
The school's academic score of 8.8 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence and student achievement. The school draws families from a well-established community where 66% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an environment that values education. The surrounding Vernon Hills neighborhood features a median household income of $118,371 and median home values of $374,800, with a low poverty rate of just 4.5%.
This affluent suburban setting of nearly 28,000 residents provides a stable, supportive backdrop for the school's educational mission, fostering an atmosphere where students can thrive academically in Lake County's thriving suburban landscape.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Hawthorn Elem School South — Students at Hawthorn Elem School South score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 5.1/10.
How Hawthorn Elem School South Compares
See how Hawthorn Elem School South performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 49% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 49% (2022).
Location
430 N Aspen Dr, Vernon Hills, IL 60061
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hawthorn Elem School South may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hawthorn Elem School North (rated 8.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hawthorn Sch for Young Learners (rated 8.7/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Meridian School (rated 8.1/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Buffalo Grove), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Vernon Hills, see our Vernon Hills schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60061 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$121,588
Median Home Value
$390,300
Median Rent
$1,862/mo
Population
27,883
College Educated
66.4%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
26.9 min
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Median Age
41.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hawthorn Elem School South has a median household income of $121,588. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $390,300, with a median rent of $1,862/month. The local poverty rate of 5.5% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Aux Sable Minooka, IL | 7.1 |
| Butler Elem School Springfield, IL | 7.1 |
| C Henry Bloom Elem School Rockford, IL | 7.1 |
| Central Road Elem School Rolling Meadows, IL | 7.1 |
| Cherry Valley Elementary School Rockford, IL | 7.1 |
| Clearmont Elem School Elk Grove Village, IL | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hawthorn Elem School South
What grades does Hawthorn Elem School South serve?
Hawthorn Elem School South serves students in grades 1st through 5th.
How many students attend Hawthorn Elem School South?
Hawthorn Elem School South has an enrollment of approximately 517 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hawthorn Elem School South?
The student-teacher ratio at Hawthorn Elem School South is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hawthorn Elem School South rank in IL?
Hawthorn Elem School South is ranked #1105 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Hawthorn Elem School South's MySchoolScout rating?
Hawthorn Elem School South has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Hawthorn Elem School South?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hawthorn Elem School South has 54.5% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hawthorn Elem School South a charter school?
No, Hawthorn Elem School South is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hawthorn Elem School South a Title I school?
No, Hawthorn Elem School South is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hawthorn Elem School South?
29.4% of students at Hawthorn Elem School South qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Vernon Hills). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 1st – 5th
- Enrollment
- 517
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (847) 990-4800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hawthorn CCSD 73- District Enrollment
- 3,508
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,084
- District Rank
- #6 of 9
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 methodologyRelated reading
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