Very Good
#677 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 18% in state
Kerkstra Elem School
Elementary School · Forest Ridge SD 142
14950 Laramie Ave, Oak Forest, IL 60452
Enrollment
402
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
7.6
Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
402
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
7.6
Grades
1st – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Oak Forest
#2 of 10
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#444 of 2,326
In district
#1 of 4
Forest Ridge SD 142
Academic performance
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Kerkstra Elem School
Kerkstra Elementary School serves 402 students in grades 1-5 in Oak Forest, Illinois, and stands out as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranking 259th out of 3,819 Illinois schools, Kerkstra places in the 93rd percentile statewide. The school earns an impressive 9.0 academic score, with 52% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels.
The learning environment benefits from a favorable 12.6-to-1 student-teacher ratio, supported by 32 full-time equivalent teachers who can provide more individualized attention to students. This staffing level allows for smaller class sizes that support student engagement and academic success. Kerkstra Elementary draws families from a stable suburban community where the median household income reaches $90,812 and the poverty rate remains low at just 3.8%.
The surrounding neighborhood in the 60452 ZIP code has a population of 26,939, with 31% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and median home values of $233,600. The school sits in Oak Forest's large suburban setting in Cook County, providing students with access to a well-established community that values education and family stability.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Kerkstra Elem School — Students at Kerkstra Elem School score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.8%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How Kerkstra Elem School Compares
See how Kerkstra Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 23% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 43% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
14950 Laramie Ave, Oak Forest, IL 60452
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kerkstra Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Walter F Fierke Ed Center (rated 7.8/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Lee R Foster Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ST DAMIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Oak Forest, see our Oak Forest schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ridge Early Childhood Center Oak Forest | 0.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Oak Forest High School Oak Forest | 0.5 mi | 7.3 |
| ST DAMIAN SCHOOL Oak Forest | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Jack Hille Middle School Oak Forest | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Scarlet Oak Elementary School Oak Forest | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Lee R Foster Elem School Oak Forest | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Kolmar Elem School Midlothian | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| ST CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL Midlothian | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Nathan Hale Intermediate Crestwood | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Nathan Hale Middle School Crestwood | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Nathan Hale Primary School Crestwood | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Springfield Elem School Midlothian | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Bremen High School Midlothian | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Walter F Fierke Ed Center Oak Forest | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Fieldcrest Elem School Oak Forest | 2.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Kimberly Heights Elem School Tinley Park | 2.4 mi | 5.7 |
| ELIM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Crestwood | 2.6 mi | — |
| Central Park Elem School Midlothian | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Turner Elem School Crestwood | 2.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Arbor Park Middle School Oak Forest | 3.0 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60452 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,167
Median Home Value
$249,100
Median Rent
$1,287/mo
Population
26,511
College Educated
30.1%
Homeownership
79.3%
Avg Commute
31.2 min
Poverty Rate
5.2%
Median Age
40.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Kerkstra Elem School has a median household income of $89,167. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $249,100, with a median rent of $1,287/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Cantrall Elem School Cantrall, IL | 7.6 |
| Carl Sandburg Elem School Charleston, IL | 7.6 |
| Carroll Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.6 |
| Chaney-Monge School Crest Hill, IL | 7.6 |
| Creekside Elementary School Plainfield, IL | 7.6 |
| East Prairie Elem School Skokie, IL | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kerkstra Elem School
What grades does Kerkstra Elem School serve?
Kerkstra Elem School serves students in grades 1st through 5th.
How many students attend Kerkstra Elem School?
Kerkstra Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 402 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kerkstra Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Kerkstra Elem School is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kerkstra Elem School rank in IL?
Kerkstra Elem School is ranked #677 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Kerkstra Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Kerkstra Elem School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Kerkstra Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kerkstra Elem School has 30.0% math proficiency and 43.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Kerkstra Elem School a charter school?
No, Kerkstra Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kerkstra Elem School a Title I school?
No, Kerkstra Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kerkstra Elem School?
41.8% of students at Kerkstra 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
- Walk Score
- 43 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 27 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 36 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Average (531/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Oak Forest). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 1st – 5th
- Enrollment
- 402
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (708) 687-2860
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Forest Ridge SD 142- District Enrollment
- 1,511
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,878
- District Rank
- #1 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
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.