Skip to main content

Excellent

#367 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 10% in state

Pierce Downer Elem School

Elementary School · Downers Grove GSD 58

1436 Grant St, Downers Grove, IL 60515

Enrollment

342

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Downers Grove

#4 of 17

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#263 of 2,326

In district

#4 of 13

Downers Grove GSD 58

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Pierce Downer Elem School

Pierce Downer Elementary School serves 342 students in grades pre-K through 6 in Downers Grove, Illinois. This regular public school maintains a favorable 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio with 24 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.6 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 90th percentile statewide at #400 out of 3,819 Illinois elementary schools.

Students show solid achievement in core subjects, with 52% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics and 44% in English language arts and reading across all tested grades. Pierce Downer Elementary benefits from its location in an affluent and highly educated community. The surrounding 60515 ZIP code area has a median household income of $116,601 and a low poverty rate of just 5%.

With 61% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the neighborhood reflects a strong commitment to education that supports student success. The school sits at 1436 Grant Street in this small city setting within DuPage County, where families enjoy the advantages of suburban living while maintaining access to quality educational opportunities. This combination of academic achievement and community support makes Pierce Downer Elementary an attractive option for families seeking a well-rounded elementary education.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.7Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,577

Pierce Downer Elem School — Students at Pierce Downer Elem School score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 3 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
52%
ELA
45%
2022
ELA
42%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.

How Pierce Downer Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
90th percentile in IL
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Location

1436 Grant St, Downers Grove, IL 60515

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pierce Downer Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kingsley Elem School (rated 9.0/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Belle Aire Elem School (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, AVERY COONLEY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Downers Grove, see our Downers Grove schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Herrick Middle School Downers Grove 0.2 mi 4.6
Comm H S Dist 99 - North H S Downers Grove 0.4 mi 8.1
Belle Aire Elem School Downers Grove 0.7 mi 8.2
ST JOSEPH Downers Grove 0.7 mi 5.0
Highland Elem School Downers Grove 0.9 mi 8.1
AVERY COONLEY SCHOOL Downers Grove 1.2 mi 8.2
DOWNERS GROVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Downers Grove 1.2 mi 6.2
Henry Puffer School Downers Grove 1.1 mi 7.2
DOWNERS GROVE ADVENTIST SCHOOL Downers Grove 1.4 mi
BRIGHT HORIZONS CHILD CARE & EARLY EDUCATION Downers Grove 1.4 mi
PATHWAY MONTESSORI Downers Grove 1.5 mi
Hillcrest Elem School Downers Grove 1.7 mi 7.5
Whittier Elem School Downers Grove 1.5 mi 6.9
Lester Elem School Downers Grove 1.4 mi 7.1
O Neill Middle School Downers Grove 2.1 mi 6.7
Indian Trail Elem School Downers Grove 2.2 mi 6.9
Comm H S Dist 99 - South High Sch Downers Grove 2.4 mi 6.4
Fairmount Elem School Downers Grove 2.2 mi 5.8
Kingsley Elem School Downers Grove 2.5 mi 9.0
Butterfield Elem School Lombard 2.4 mi 4.3

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 Pierce Downer 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
Bernard Long Elem Sch Madison, IL 8.1
Central Elem School Riverside, IL 8.1
Coal City Intermediate School Coal City, IL 8.1
Countryside Elem School Barrington, IL 8.1
Eagle Ridge School Silvis, IL 8.1
Emerson Elem School Wheaton, IL 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pierce Downer Elem School

What grades does Pierce Downer Elem School serve?

Pierce Downer Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Pierce Downer Elem School?

Pierce Downer Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 342 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pierce Downer Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pierce Downer Elem School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pierce Downer Elem School rank in IL?

Pierce Downer Elem School is ranked #367 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Pierce Downer Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pierce Downer Elem School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Pierce Downer Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pierce Downer Elem School has 52.0% math proficiency and 43.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pierce Downer Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Pierce Downer Elem School a Title I school?

No, Pierce Downer Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
65 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
30 Some Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,001/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
DuPage County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

Related 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.