Excellent
#221 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 6% in state
John Laidlaw Elem School
Elementary School · Western Springs SD 101
4072 Forest Ave, Western Springs, IL 60558
Enrollment
420
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
420
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Western Springs
#3 of 4
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#154 of 2,326
In district
#3 of 4
Western Springs SD 101
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About John Laidlaw Elem School
John Laidlaw Elem School is a public elementary school in Western Springs, IL, part of the Western Springs SD 101. The school serves approximately 420 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 94.2th percentile among IL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 74% proficiency in math and 66% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.2/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $218,839, where 82% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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John Laidlaw Elem School — Students at John Laidlaw Elem School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 3 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.2/10.
How John Laidlaw Elem School Compares
See how John Laidlaw Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 68% (2019) to 63% (2022).
Location
4072 Forest Ave, Western Springs, IL 60558
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John Laidlaw Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. The Lane Elem School (rated 9.8/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Hinsdale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oak Elem School (rated 9.7/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Hinsdale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Field Park Elem School (rated 9.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Western Springs, see our Western Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF WESTERN SPRINGS Western Springs | 0.5 mi | — |
| HINSDALE ADVENTIST ACADEMY Hinsdale | 0.5 mi | 8.1 |
| McClure Jr High School Western Springs | 0.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Field Park Elem School Western Springs | 0.7 mi | 9.2 |
| The Lane Elem School Hinsdale | 0.8 mi | 9.8 |
| Forest Hills Elem School Western Springs | 1.2 mi | 9.2 |
| ST JOHN OF THE CROSS PARISH SCHOOL Western Springs | 1.3 mi | 4.4 |
| NAZARETH ACADEMY La Grange Park | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| CREATIVE WORLD MONTESSORI SCHOOL La Grange | 1.3 mi | — |
| Hinsdale Middle School Hinsdale | 1.4 mi | 9.3 |
| Oak Elem School Hinsdale | 1.8 mi | 9.7 |
| Lyons Twp High Sch La Grange | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Park Junior High School La Grange Park | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Butler Junior High School Oak Brook | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL La Grange | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Ogden Ave Elem School La Grange | 1.6 mi | 8.6 |
| IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillside | 2.1 mi | 4.5 |
| DIVINE PROVIDENCE SCHOOL Westchester | 2.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Monroe Elem School Hinsdale | 1.7 mi | 8.2 |
| KENSINGTON SCHOOL OF LAGRANGE La Grange | 1.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60558 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$218,839
Median Home Value
$691,300
Median Rent
$1,932/mo
Population
13,353
College Educated
82%
Homeownership
95.5%
Avg Commute
30.3 min
Poverty Rate
2%
Median Age
41.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding John Laidlaw Elem School has a median household income of $218,839. It is a well-educated community where 82% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $691,300, with a median rent of $1,932/month. The local poverty rate of 2.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Black Magnet Elem School Chicago, IL | 8.5 |
| Carlinville Primary School Carlinville, IL | 8.5 |
| George B Carpenter Elem School Park Ridge, IL | 8.5 |
| Gower West Elem School Willowbrook, IL | 8.5 |
| John Jay Elem School Mount Prospect, IL | 8.5 |
| Kenneth E Neubert Elem School Algonquin, IL | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John Laidlaw Elem School
What grades does John Laidlaw Elem School serve?
John Laidlaw Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend John Laidlaw Elem School?
John Laidlaw Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 420 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John Laidlaw Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at John Laidlaw Elem School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John Laidlaw Elem School rank in IL?
John Laidlaw Elem School is ranked #221 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is John Laidlaw Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
John Laidlaw Elem School has a composite rating of 8.5 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 Laidlaw Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John Laidlaw Elem School has 74.0% math proficiency and 65.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is John Laidlaw Elem School a charter school?
No, John Laidlaw Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John Laidlaw Elem School a Title I school?
No, John Laidlaw Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Western Springs). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 420
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (708) 246-7673
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Western Springs SD 101- District Enrollment
- 1,437
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,700
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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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