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Very Good

#739 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 19% 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

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#739 of 3,813

In Downers Grove

#3 of 17

public schools

In district

#2 of 13

Downers Grove GSD 58

Academic performance

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Lester Elem School

7.7/10

Elementary School in Downers Grove · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Whittier Elem School

7.8/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

C E Miller Elem School

8.0/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Lester Elem School

Lester Elem School is a public elementary school in Downers Grove, IL, part of Downers Grove GSD 58. Lester Elem School serves approximately 546 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 18.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Lester Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #739 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Lester Elem School show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2019) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.7
  • IL avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61% (2019 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency59% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,037
Chronic Absenteeism13.2%

Lester Elem School — Students at Lester Elem School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 66.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2019)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 68.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 23 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
91%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
94%
2011
Math
96%
ELA
94%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
38%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
33%
ELA
45%
2016
Math
46%
ELA
41%
2017
Math
56%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
61%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
61%
ELA
64%
2022
ELA
56%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.

How Lester Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
81th percentile in IL
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
7.8/10
Very Good
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Maercker Elem School (rated 8.3/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Westmont), which scores slightly higher. Another option is AVERY COONLEY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, C E Miller Elem School (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Westmont), with a very similar rating. 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 7.8
C E Miller Elem School Westmont 0.7 mi 8.0
ST JOSEPH Downers Grove 0.9 mi 5.0
J T Manning Elem School Westmont 1.0 mi 7.6
DOWNERS GROVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Downers Grove 1.1 mi 6.2
Comm H S Dist 99 - North H S Downers Grove 1.0 mi 8.8
South School Westmont 1.1 mi 7.0
Highland Elem School Downers Grove 1.2 mi 6.1
Herrick Middle School Downers Grove 1.2 mi 6.0
O Neill Middle School Downers Grove 1.7 mi 5.7
Pierce Downer Elem School Downers Grove 1.4 mi 6.5
Fairmount Elem School Downers Grove 1.9 mi 7.1
Belle Aire Elem School Downers Grove 1.6 mi 6.7
Maercker Elem School Westmont 1.8 mi 8.3
AVERY COONLEY SCHOOL Downers Grove 1.7 mi 8.2
Westmont Jr High School Westmont 1.8 mi 8.3
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 9.3
Westmont High School Westmont 1.9 mi 9.7

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Acero Chtr - Officer Marquez Elem Chicago, IL 7.7
Albion Grade School Albion, IL 7.7
Anderson Elem School Saint Charles, IL 7.7
Bower Elem School Warrenville, IL 7.7
Cantrall Elem School Cantrall, IL 7.7
Clinton Elem School Clinton, IL 7.7

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 ranks #739 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Lester Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lester Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Lester Elem School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lester Elem School has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2019) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
56 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.2%

District

Downers Grove GSD 58
District Enrollment
4,838
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,037
District Rank
#2 of 13

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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