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Below Average

#3418 of 3,813 schools in IL

Mark Twain Elem School

Elementary School · Wheeling CCSD 21

515 E Merle Ln, Wheeling, IL 60090

Enrollment

447

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wheeling

#7 of 7

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#2,037 of 2,326

In district

#12 of 12

Wheeling CCSD 21

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Mark Twain Elem School

Mark Twain Elem School is a public elementary school in Wheeling, Illinois, located at 515 E Merle Ln. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 447 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.8:1, providing a relatively low ratio that supports individual attention for each child. Mark Twain Elem School is situated in a large suburban area within Cook County.

The school’s academic performance currently ranks at the 8th percentile among Illinois schools, with MySchoolScout giving it a rating of 3.4 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.7 out of 10. In terms of proficiency rates in ELA/Reading and Math, only 9% and 12% of students are considered proficient or above, respectively. These numbers indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and growth.

While Mark Twain Elem School faces challenges academically, it is part of a supportive suburban community that values education and works to provide its students with the best possible learning environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.6Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.21 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.5%
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)13%
vs. Expected-8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,863

Mark Twain Elem School — Students at Mark Twain Elem School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 13%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 11.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 8.7%
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
21%
ELA
16%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
ELA
7.5%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Mark Twain Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
10th percentile in IL
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

515 E Merle Ln, Wheeling, IL 60090

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mark Twain Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. J W Riley Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Arlington Heights), which scores notably higher. Another option is Betsy Ross Elem School (rated 7.4/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Prospect Heights), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eugene Field Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Wheeling, see our Wheeling schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
POKO LOKO CHILD CARE CENTER Wheeling 0.3 mi
Wheeling High School Wheeling 0.4 mi 7.3
Jack London Middle School Wheeling 0.8 mi 8.1
Eugene Field Elem School Wheeling 1.0 mi 7.2
Oliver W Holmes Middle School Wheeling 1.0 mi 6.9
Booth Tarkington Elem School Wheeling 1.0 mi 6.6
Walt Whitman Elem School Wheeling 1.2 mi 6.8
Anne Sullivan Elem School Prospect Heights 1.7 mi 5.6
ST ALPHONSUS LIGUORI SCHOOL Prospect Heights 1.8 mi 7.1
Betsy Ross Elem School Prospect Heights 1.7 mi 7.4
MacArthur Middle School Prospect Heights 1.7 mi 8.0
TORAH ACADEMY OF BUFFALO GROVE Buffalo Grove 1.9 mi
ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wheeling 1.7 mi 6.6
LITERKI LEARNING CARE CENTER INC. Wheeling 1.6 mi
Earl Pritchett School Buffalo Grove 2.1 mi 7.1
BUFFALO GROVE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Buffalo Grove 1.8 mi
Joyce Kilmer Elem School Buffalo Grove 1.9 mi 5.2
Dwight D Eisenhower Elem School Prospect Heights 2.4 mi 6.9
J W Riley Elem School Arlington Heights 1.9 mi 7.9
John Hersey High School Arlington Heights 2.3 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60090 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,449

Median Home Value

$243,500

Median Rent

$1,578/mo

Population

38,340

College Educated

40.5%

Homeownership

61.1%

Avg Commute

26.8 min

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

39.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mark Twain Elem School has a median household income of $83,449. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $243,500, with a median rent of $1,578/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% 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
Acero Chtr - Carlos Fuentes Elem Chicago, IL 4.6
Auburn Elem School Auburn, IL 4.6
Balmoral Elem Sch Crete, IL 4.6
Bonfield Grade School Bonfield, IL 4.6
Bret Harte Elem School Chicago, IL 4.6
Brighton North Primary School Brighton, IL 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mark Twain Elem School

What grades does Mark Twain Elem School serve?

Mark Twain Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Mark Twain Elem School?

Mark Twain Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 447 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mark Twain Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mark Twain Elem School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mark Twain Elem School rank in IL?

Mark Twain Elem School is ranked #3418 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Mark Twain Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mark Twain Elem School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Mark Twain Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mark Twain Elem School has 11.8% math proficiency and 8.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mark Twain Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Mark Twain Elem School a Title I school?

No, Mark Twain Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mark Twain Elem School?

78.3% of students at Mark Twain 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 (972/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.3%
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
#12 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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