Very Good
#908 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 24% in state
Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary
Elementary School · Indian Prairie CUSD 204
1212 Sanctuary Ln, Naperville, IL 60540
Enrollment
564
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
564
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#908 of 3,813
In Naperville
#37 of 40
public schools
In district
#24 of 32
Indian Prairie CUSD 204
Academic performance
8.8 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary
Elementary School in Naperville · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Icn Noor Academy
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
May Watts Elementary School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary
Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary is a public elementary school in Naperville, IL, part of Indian Prairie CUSD 204. Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary serves approximately 564 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #908 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.5 · Very Good
- District avg 7.5
- IL avg 6.2
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary — Students at Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.7/10.
How Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary Compares
See how Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1212 Sanctuary Ln, Naperville, IL 60540
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Robert Clow Elem Sch (rated 8.9/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is May Watts Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Arlene Welch Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Naperville, see our Naperville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ICN NOOR ACADEMY Naperville | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
| ICN NOOR ACADEMY Naperville | 0.4 mi | 6.2 |
| ICN NOOR ACADEMY Naperville | 0.4 mi | 4.5 |
| May Watts Elementary School Naperville | 0.9 mi | 8.0 |
| THE GODDARD SCHOOL Naperville | 1.4 mi | — |
| TURNING POINTE CN DAY SCHOOL Naperville | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| COSMIC MONTESSORI COMMUNITY Aurora | 1.2 mi | — |
| CASA DEI BAMBINI Aurora | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| NAPERVILLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Naperville | 1.9 mi | — |
| ALL ABOUT KIDS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Aurora | 1.6 mi | — |
| Still Middle School Aurora | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Prairie Children Preschool Aurora | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC ACADEMY Naperville | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Arlene Welch Elementary School Naperville | 2.3 mi | 7.9 |
| HIGH ROAD OF NAPERVILLE Naperville | 2.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Thayer J Hill Middle School Naperville | 2.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Robert Clow Elem Sch Naperville | 2.6 mi | 8.9 |
| Brookdale Elementary School Naperville | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| White Eagle Elementary Naperville | 2.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Gordon Gregory Middle School Naperville | 2.7 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60540 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$155,866
Median Home Value
$504,900
Median Rent
$1,982/mo
Population
42,660
College Educated
71.8%
Homeownership
75.2%
Avg Commute
28.7 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
41.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Acero Chtr - Sandra Cisneros Elem Chicago, IL | 7.5 |
| Bernard Long Elem Sch Madison, IL | 7.5 |
| Budlong Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.5 |
| Euclid Elem School Mount Prospect, IL | 7.5 |
| Frederick Nerge Elem School Roselle, IL | 7.5 |
| Glen Hill Elementary School Glendale Heights, IL | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary
What grades does Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary serve?
Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary?
Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 564 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary rank in IL?
Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary ranks #908 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary a charter school?
No, Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary a Title I school?
No, Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary?
28.5% of students at Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 564
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- DuPage County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 23.2%
- Phone
- (630) 428-6100
Resources & Links
District
Indian Prairie CUSD 204- District Enrollment
- 25,950
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,127
- District Rank
- #24 of 32
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.
See how we rateRelated 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.