Very Good
#1094 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 29% in state
Lester Elem School
Elementary School · Downers Grove GSD 58
236 Indianapolis Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher
18.8:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher
18.8:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Downers Grove
#9 of 17
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#702 of 2,326
In district
#8 of 13
Downers Grove GSD 58
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Lester Elem School
Lester Elem School serves 546 students in grades PK through 6 in Downers Grove, Illinois, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 18.8:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public elementary school has earned strong recognition, ranking #745 out of 3,819 Illinois schools and placing in the 80th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with an impressive 9.3 out of 10 academic score.
In English Language Arts and Reading, 56% of students across all grade levels achieve proficient or above status, reflecting the school's commitment to literacy development. This academic strength aligns well with the educational priorities of the surrounding community. Located at 236 Indianapolis Avenue, Lester Elementary sits in an affluent neighborhood within DuPage County, where the median household income reaches $116,601 and median home values are $437,300.
The community strongly values education, with 61% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 5.0%. This small city setting in the 60515 ZIP code, home to 29,112 residents, provides students with both suburban amenities and a close-knit community atmosphere that supports educational achievement.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Lester Elem School — Students at Lester Elem School score 58% 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: 7.3/10.
How Lester Elem School Compares
See how Lester Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 56% (2022).
Location
236 Indianapolis Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lester Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. C E Miller Elem School (rated 9.5/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Westmont), which scores notably higher. Another option is Belle Aire Elem School (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, AVERY COONLEY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Downers Grove, see our Downers Grove schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Whittier Elem School Downers Grove | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| C E Miller Elem School Westmont | 0.7 mi | 9.5 |
| ST JOSEPH Downers Grove | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| J T Manning Elem School Westmont | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| DOWNERS GROVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Downers Grove | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Comm H S Dist 99 - North H S Downers Grove | 1.0 mi | 8.1 |
| South School Westmont | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Highland Elem School Downers Grove | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Herrick Middle School Downers Grove | 1.2 mi | 4.6 |
| O Neill Middle School Downers Grove | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Pierce Downer Elem School Downers Grove | 1.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Fairmount Elem School Downers Grove | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Belle Aire Elem School Downers Grove | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Maercker Elem School Westmont | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| AVERY COONLEY SCHOOL Downers Grove | 1.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Westmont Jr High School Westmont | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN ACADEMY Downers Grove | 2.2 mi | 6.1 |
| CREME DE LA CREME - WESTMONT Westmont | 1.9 mi | — |
| Clarendon Hills Middle School Clarendon Hills | 1.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Westmont High School Westmont | 1.9 mi | 9.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60515 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$121,358
Median Home Value
$453,300
Median Rent
$1,563/mo
Population
29,045
College Educated
61.3%
Homeownership
76.9%
Avg Commute
27.3 min
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Median Age
43.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lester Elem School has a median household income of $121,358. It is a well-educated community where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $453,300, with a median rent of $1,563/month. The local poverty rate of 5.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Aux Sable Minooka, IL | 7.1 |
| Butler Elem School Springfield, IL | 7.1 |
| C Henry Bloom Elem School Rockford, IL | 7.1 |
| Central Road Elem School Rolling Meadows, IL | 7.1 |
| Cherry Valley Elementary School Rockford, IL | 7.1 |
| Clearmont Elem School Elk Grove Village, IL | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lester Elem School
What grades does Lester Elem School serve?
Lester Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Lester Elem School?
Lester Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 546 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lester Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lester Elem School is 18.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lester Elem School rank in IL?
Lester Elem School is ranked #1094 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Lester Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lester Elem School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Lester Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lester Elem School has 61.0% math proficiency and 60.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lester Elem School a charter school?
No, Lester Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lester Elem School a Title I school?
No, Lester Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,001/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Downers Grove). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 546
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- DuPage County
- Phone
- (630) 719-5855
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Downers Grove GSD 58- District Enrollment
- 4,838
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,037
- District Rank
- #8 of 13
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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