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Very Good

#1148 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 30% in state

Pioneer Elem School

Elementary School · West Chicago ESD 33

615 Kenwood Ave, West Chicago, IL 60185

Enrollment

343

Student-Teacher

10.7:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In West Chicago

#3 of 11

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#732 of 2,326

In district

#2 of 8

West Chicago ESD 33

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Pioneer Elem School

Pioneer Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of West Chicago, Illinois. Situated at 615 Kenwood Ave, it serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 343 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.7:1, Pioneer Elem School ensures individual attention for each child.

The school has 32 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education. While the MySchoolScout rating is currently at 4.6 out of 10 and the academic score is 2.2 out of 10, placing it in the 30th percentile among Illinois schools, Pioneer Elem School remains committed to fostering a nurturing environment where students can grow and develop. With only 7% of students proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math across all grades, there is room for improvement and focus on academic support.

Pioneer Elem School is nestled in a large suburban area with easy access to local amenities and community resources. The school's setting offers a vibrant backdrop for learning and extracurricular activities, making it an integral part of the West Chicago community.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Pioneer Elem School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Overall Proficiency7%
Expected (poverty-adj.)15%
vs. Expected-7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,859

Pioneer Elem School — Students at Pioneer Elem School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 7.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 7.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
12%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
ELA
12%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Pioneer Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
70th percentile in IL
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

615 Kenwood Ave, West Chicago, IL 60185

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pioneer Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Norton Creek Elementary School (rated 9.5/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Winfield Primary School (rated 7.8/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Winfield), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Clifford Johnson School (rated 6.8/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Warrenville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in West Chicago, see our West Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
West Chicago Comm High School West Chicago 0.5 mi 5.1
Gary Elementary School West Chicago 0.7 mi 6.1
Leman Middle School West Chicago 0.7 mi 7.4
Early Learning Center West Chicago 0.8 mi 7.1
Turner Elem School West Chicago 1.5 mi 6.4
Currier Elementary School West Chicago 1.8 mi 6.5
Wegner Elementary School West Chicago 2.1 mi 5.6
Indian Knoll Elem School West Chicago 2.2 mi 4.6
Clifford Johnson School Warrenville 3.2 mi 6.8
THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF DUPAGE Warrenville 3.4 mi 6.6
CARMEL MONTESSORI ACADEMY & CHILDREN'S HOUSE Warrenville 3.7 mi 7.3
Winfield Central School Winfield 2.8 mi 7.1
Winfield Primary School Winfield 2.9 mi 7.8
Benjamin Middle School West Chicago 3.4 mi 6.6
Illinois Youth Center-Warrenville Naperville 4.4 mi
Norton Creek Elementary School West Chicago 4.2 mi 9.5
KENSINGTON SCHOOL OF ST CHARLES Saint Charles 3.7 mi
Evergreen Elementary School Carol Stream 4.3 mi 4.8
VANGUARD GIFTED ACADEMY Batavia 4.0 mi
ST FRANCIS HIGH SCHOOL Wheaton 4.0 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60185 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,063

Median Home Value

$313,600

Median Rent

$1,400/mo

Population

33,711

College Educated

32.6%

Homeownership

79%

Avg Commute

27.1 min

Poverty Rate

11%

Median Age

38.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pioneer Elem School has a median household income of $105,063. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $313,600, with a median rent of $1,400/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.0%. 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
Aldridge Elem School Chicago, IL 7.1
Butler Elem School Springfield, IL 7.1
C Henry Bloom Elem School Rockford, IL 7.1
Central Road Elem School Rolling Meadows, IL 7.1
Clearmont Elem School Elk Grove Village, IL 7.1
Clearview Elem School Waukegan, IL 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pioneer Elem School

What grades does Pioneer Elem School serve?

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

How many students attend Pioneer Elem School?

Pioneer Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 343 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Elem School is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pioneer Elem School rank in IL?

Pioneer Elem School is ranked #1148 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Pioneer Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pioneer Elem School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Pioneer Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pioneer Elem School has 7.3% math proficiency and 7.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pioneer Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Pioneer Elem School a Title I school?

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

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

74.1% of students at Pioneer 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 (805/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
343
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
DuPage County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Chicago ESD 33
District Enrollment
3,267
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,160
District Rank
#2 of 8

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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