Excellent
#342 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 9% 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
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
564
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Naperville
#7 of 40
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#243 of 2,326
In district
#3 of 32
Indian Prairie CUSD 204
Academic performance
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary
Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary is a public elementary school in Naperville, IL, part of the Indian Prairie CUSD 204. The school serves approximately 564 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 91.1th percentile among IL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 46% proficiency in math and 42% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $155,866, where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a midsize city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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 5 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: 8.3/10.
How Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary Compares
See how Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 46% (2019) to 45% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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. Arlene Welch Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is White Eagle Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Robert Clow Elem Sch (rated 6.8/10, 2.6 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 6.3 |
| 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 | 5.4 |
| NAPERVILLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Naperville | 1.9 mi | — |
| ALL ABOUT KIDS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Aurora | 1.6 mi | — |
| Still Middle School Aurora | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Prairie Children Preschool Aurora | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC ACADEMY Naperville | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Arlene Welch Elementary School Naperville | 2.3 mi | 8.3 |
| HIGH ROAD OF NAPERVILLE Naperville | 2.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Thayer J Hill Middle School Naperville | 2.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Robert Clow Elem Sch Naperville | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Brookdale Elementary School Naperville | 2.7 mi | 4.6 |
| White Eagle Elementary Naperville | 2.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Gordon Gregory Middle School Naperville | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary has a median household income of $155,866. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $504,900, with a median rent of $1,982/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Altamont Grade School Altamont, IL | 8.2 |
| Concord Elem School Darien, IL | 8.2 |
| De Diego Elem Community Academy Chicago, IL | 8.2 |
| Dr Julian Rogus School Frankfort, IL | 8.2 |
| Madison Elem School Skokie, IL | 8.2 |
| Peter M Gombert Elementary Sch Aurora, IL | 8.2 |
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 is ranked #342 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary has 45.5% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- Walk Score
- 55 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 24 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 48 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (968/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Naperville). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (630) 428-6100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Indian Prairie CUSD 204- District Enrollment
- 25,950
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,127
- District Rank
- #3 of 32
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.