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#2960 of 3,813 schools in IL

Joyce Kilmer Elem School

Elementary School · Wheeling CCSD 21

655 Golfview Ter, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

Enrollment

579

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Buffalo Grove

#11 of 12

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#1,756 of 2,326

In district

#10 of 12

Wheeling CCSD 21

School environment

7.0 / 10

Strong

About Joyce Kilmer Elem School

Joyce Kilmer Elementary School is a regular public school nestled in the suburban community of Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Joyce Kilmer has an enrollment of 579 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.1:1 with 36 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. While the MySchoolScout rating is currently 5.0 out of 10, indicating room for academic growth, Joyce Kilmer Elementary focuses on nurturing young minds through supportive educational programs and dedicated teaching staff.

The school’s state ranking at #2315 among 3819 schools in Illinois suggests there are opportunities to enhance student performance further, with current proficiency rates standing at 18% for ELA/Reading and 24% for Math. Joyce Kilmer Elementary is situated in a large suburban area that provides a safe and community-oriented environment. The school’s setting offers students easy access to local parks, libraries, and other educational resources within the Buffalo Grove neighborhood.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.23 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)18%
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,863

Joyce Kilmer Elem School — Students at Joyce Kilmer Elem School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 17.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
30%
ELA
26%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
12%
2022
ELA
15%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Joyce Kilmer Elem School Compares

See how Joyce Kilmer Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
22th percentile in IL
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

655 Golfview Ter, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joyce Kilmer Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. J W Riley Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Arlington Heights), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tripp School (rated 7.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ivy Hall Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Buffalo Grove, see our Buffalo Grove schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
BUFFALO GROVE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Buffalo Grove 0.3 mi
ST MARY SCHOOL Buffalo Grove 0.8 mi 6.6
J W Riley Elem School Arlington Heights 1.0 mi 7.9
Booth Tarkington Elem School Wheeling 0.9 mi 6.6
Buffalo Grove High School Buffalo Grove 1.0 mi 7.2
Henry W Longfellow Elem School Buffalo Grove 1.1 mi 4.9
Eugene Field Elem School Wheeling 1.1 mi 7.2
Cooper Middle School Buffalo Grove 1.1 mi 8.5
NEWHOPE ACADEMY Arlington Heights 1.2 mi 7.9
Jack London Middle School Wheeling 1.1 mi 8.1
Earl Pritchett School Buffalo Grove 1.3 mi 7.1
TORAH ACADEMY OF BUFFALO GROVE Buffalo Grove 1.5 mi
Edgar A Poe Elem School Arlington Heights 1.5 mi 7.4
CHICAGO FUTABAKAI JAPANESE SCHOOL Arlington Heights 1.7 mi 7.2
Tripp School Buffalo Grove 1.8 mi 7.9
Ivy Hill Elem School Arlington Heights 1.9 mi 5.7
POKO LOKO CHILD CARE CENTER Wheeling 1.6 mi
Willow Grove Early Learning Ctr Buffalo Grove 1.9 mi 7.5
Wheeling High School Wheeling 1.7 mi 7.3
Ivy Hall Elementary School Buffalo Grove 2.0 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60089 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$129,932

Median Home Value

$393,000

Median Rent

$2,042/mo

Population

42,781

College Educated

66.7%

Homeownership

81.5%

Avg Commute

27.5 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

42.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Joyce Kilmer Elem School has a median household income of $129,932. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $393,000, with a median rent of $2,042/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Abe Lincoln Elem School Cicero, IL 5.2
Acero Chtr - Officer Marquez Elem Chicago, IL 5.2
Drexel Elem School Cicero, IL 5.2
Elmwood Elem School Naperville, IL 5.2
Forest Elem School Des Plaines, IL 5.2
George T Wilkins Elem School Justice, IL 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joyce Kilmer Elem School

What grades does Joyce Kilmer Elem School serve?

Joyce Kilmer Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Joyce Kilmer Elem School?

Joyce Kilmer Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 579 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joyce Kilmer Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Joyce Kilmer Elem School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Joyce Kilmer Elem School rank in IL?

Joyce Kilmer Elem School is ranked #2960 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Joyce Kilmer Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Joyce Kilmer Elem School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Joyce Kilmer Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joyce Kilmer Elem School has 23.5% math proficiency and 17.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Joyce Kilmer Elem School a charter school?

No, Joyce Kilmer Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Joyce Kilmer Elem School a Title I school?

No, Joyce Kilmer Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joyce Kilmer Elem School?

67.2% of students at Joyce Kilmer 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (752/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Cook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wheeling CCSD 21
District Enrollment
6,205
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,330
District Rank
#10 of 12

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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