Average
#2514 of 3,813 schools in IL
John Gates Elem School
Elementary School · Aurora East USD 131
800 7th Ave, Aurora, IL 60505
Enrollment
430
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
430
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Aurora
#21 of 45
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,501 of 2,326
In district
#6 of 18
Aurora East USD 131
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Strong
About John Gates Elem School
John Gates Elem School is a public elementary school located in Aurora, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 430 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.3:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is within a large suburban area, providing a blend of urban amenities and community support.
John Gates Elem School focuses on nurturing early childhood education and elementary learning in a supportive environment. While the current academic performance shows room for improvement, with an average proficiency rate of just 9% in reading and math, the school continues to work diligently on student development and growth. The MySchoolScout Rating is 3.1 out of 10, ranking it at number 3626 among 3819 schools in Illinois.
John Gates Elem School sits in a bustling suburban neighborhood where families actively engage with their community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at John Gates Elem School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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John Gates Elem School — Students at John Gates Elem School score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.8%
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: 7.4/10.
How John Gates Elem School Compares
See how John Gates Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 11% (2019) to 5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 13% (2019) to 7% (2022).
Location
800 7th Ave, Aurora, IL 60505
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John Gates Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. C I Johnson Elem School (rated 7.3/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is N CAMPUS OF POPE ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC ACADEMY (rated 7.1/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| East High School Aurora | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II CATH. ACADEMY-SOUTH CAMPUS Aurora | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| K D Waldo Middle School Aurora | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| W S Beaupre Elem School Aurora | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| G N Dieterich Elem School Aurora | 0.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Fred Rodgers Magnet Acad Aurora | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Edna Rollins Elem School Aurora | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| L D Brady Elem School Aurora | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| C M Bardwell Elem School Aurora | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Olney C Allen Elem School Aurora | 1.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Rose E Krug Elem School Aurora | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Oak Park Elem School Aurora | 1.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Henry W Cowherd Middle School Aurora | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| N CAMPUS OF POPE ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC ACADEMY Aurora | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Nicholas A Hermes Elem School Aurora | 2.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Hill Elem School Aurora | 2.3 mi | 4.7 |
| HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Aurora | 2.1 mi | 6.9 |
| C I Johnson Elem School Aurora | 2.3 mi | 7.3 |
| C F Simmons Middle School Aurora | 2.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Greenman Elem School Aurora | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60505 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,306
Median Home Value
$192,500
Median Rent
$1,230/mo
Population
58,176
College Educated
13.2%
Homeownership
57.8%
Avg Commute
24.5 min
Poverty Rate
14.6%
Median Age
31.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding John Gates Elem School has a median household income of $70,306. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,500, with a median rent of $1,230/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Breese, IL | 5.6 |
| ALPHONSUS ACADEMY & CENTER FOR THE ARTS Chicago, IL | 5.6 |
| Anne Sullivan Elem School Prospect Heights, IL | 5.6 |
| Benavides Steam Academy Aurora, IL | 5.6 |
| Benjamin Franklin Elem School Glen Ellyn, IL | 5.6 |
| Bridgeview Elem School Bridgeview, IL | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John Gates Elem School
What grades does John Gates Elem School serve?
John Gates Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend John Gates Elem School?
John Gates Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 430 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John Gates Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at John Gates Elem School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John Gates Elem School rank in IL?
John Gates Elem School is ranked #2514 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is John Gates Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
John Gates Elem School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 John Gates Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John Gates Elem School has 8.0% math proficiency and 9.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is John Gates Elem School a charter school?
No, John Gates Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John Gates Elem School a Title I school?
No, John Gates Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John Gates Elem School?
75.8% of students at John Gates 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
- City Safety
- High (1,522/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Aurora). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 430
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Kane County
- Phone
- (630) 299-5600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Aurora East USD 131- District Enrollment
- 12,260
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,690
- District Rank
- #6 of 18
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
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