Very Good
#491 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 13% in state
J W Riley Elem School
Elementary School · Wheeling CCSD 21
1209 E Burr Oak Dr, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Enrollment
315
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
315
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Arlington Heights
#4 of 13
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#338 of 2,326
In district
#3 of 12
Wheeling CCSD 21
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About J W Riley Elem School
J W Riley Elementary School serves 315 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Arlington Heights, with a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1 supported by 27 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns strong recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks in the 90th percentile statewide, placing 392nd among Illinois's 3,819 elementary schools. Academically, J W Riley shows solid performance with 44% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 35% meeting proficiency standards in English language arts and reading.
The school's academic score of 7.9 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement across all grade levels. The school draws from an affluent and well-educated community where 60% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $117,720. With a low poverty rate of just 6.4% and median home values of $404,400, the neighborhood reflects a stable, family-oriented environment that values education.
J W Riley Elementary is situated in Arlington Heights' large suburban setting, providing students with the benefits of a well-established community while maintaining the personalized attention that comes with a moderately-sized elementary school environment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
J W Riley Elem School — Students at J W Riley Elem School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.8%
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: 7.0/10.
How J W Riley Elem School Compares
See how J W Riley Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 42% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
1209 E Burr Oak Dr, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering J W Riley Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Edgar A Poe Elem School (rated 7.4/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Betsy Ross Elem School (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Prospect Heights), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Eugene Field Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Wheeling), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Arlington Heights, see our Arlington Heights schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BUFFALO GROVE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Buffalo Grove | 0.7 mi | — |
| Ivy Hill Elem School Arlington Heights | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Joyce Kilmer Elem School Buffalo Grove | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| CHICAGO FUTABAKAI JAPANESE SCHOOL Arlington Heights | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Booth Tarkington Elem School Wheeling | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| NEWHOPE ACADEMY Arlington Heights | 1.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Edgar A Poe Elem School Arlington Heights | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Buffalo Grove High School Buffalo Grove | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Henry W Longfellow Elem School Buffalo Grove | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| John Hersey High School Arlington Heights | 1.7 mi | 8.6 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Buffalo Grove | 1.8 mi | 6.6 |
| MacArthur Middle School Prospect Heights | 1.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Eugene Field Elem School Wheeling | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Jack London Middle School Wheeling | 1.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Cooper Middle School Buffalo Grove | 1.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Thomas Middle School Arlington Heights | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Anne Sullivan Elem School Prospect Heights | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Betsy Ross Elem School Prospect Heights | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Wheeling High School Wheeling | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| POKO LOKO CHILD CARE CENTER Wheeling | 1.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60004 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$124,962
Median Home Value
$415,100
Median Rent
$1,703/mo
Population
51,884
College Educated
58.7%
Homeownership
77.3%
Avg Commute
29.1 min
Poverty Rate
6.1%
Median Age
42
Community Profile
The community surrounding J W Riley Elem School has a median household income of $124,962. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $415,100, with a median rent of $1,703/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% 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 |
|---|---|
| Douglas Elem School Belleville, IL | 7.9 |
| Field Stevenson Elem School Forest Park, IL | 7.9 |
| Franklin Elementary School Dolton, IL | 7.9 |
| Gregory Intermediate Moweaqua, IL | 7.9 |
| Hawthorn Sch of Dual Language Vernon Hills, IL | 7.9 |
| Hudson Elem School Hudson, IL | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about J W Riley Elem School
What grades does J W Riley Elem School serve?
J W Riley Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend J W Riley Elem School?
J W Riley Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 315 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at J W Riley Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at J W Riley Elem School is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does J W Riley Elem School rank in IL?
J W Riley Elem School is ranked #491 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is J W Riley Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
J W Riley Elem School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 J W Riley Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, J W Riley Elem School has 44.5% math proficiency and 35.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is J W Riley Elem School a charter school?
No, J W Riley Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is J W Riley Elem School a Title I school?
No, J W Riley Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J W Riley Elem School?
30.8% of students at J W Riley 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Arlington Heights). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 315
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (847) 670-3400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wheeling CCSD 21- District Enrollment
- 6,205
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,330
- District Rank
- #3 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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
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.