Very Good
#1221 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 32% in state
Prairie Elem School
Elementary School · Naperville CUSD 203
500 S Charles Ave, Naperville, IL 60540
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Naperville
#18 of 40
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#770 of 2,326
In district
#12 of 22
Naperville CUSD 203
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Prairie Elem School
Prairie Elementary School serves 502 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Naperville, Illinois. With 35 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an 8.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #229 out of 3,819 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 94th percentile.
Prairie Elementary's academic score of 9.9 out of 10 reflects consistently high achievement, with 72% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels. Located at 500 S Charles Avenue, Prairie Elementary sits in the heart of Naperville's well-established residential areas. The surrounding 60540 ZIP code community is highly educated, with 72% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a median household income of $143,912.
With a low poverty rate of 4.9% and median home values around $482,200, the neighborhood reflects the stability and educational priorities that support student success. Prairie Elementary School operates within this affluent mid-size city environment, benefiting from strong community support and resources that complement its commitment to academic excellence.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Prairie Elem School — Students at Prairie Elem School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
8.4%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 5.0/10.
How Prairie Elem School Compares
See how Prairie Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 49% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 74% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
500 S Charles Ave, Naperville, IL 60540
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prairie Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ellsworth Elem School (rated 8.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Highlands Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Owen Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Naperville, see our Naperville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Highlands Elem School Naperville | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Ann Reid Early Childhood Center Naperville | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Ellsworth Elem School Naperville | 1.0 mi | 8.7 |
| SAINTS PETER & PAUL SCHOOL Naperville | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Kennedy Junior High School Lisle | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Lincoln Jr High School Naperville | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Elmwood Elem School Naperville | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Washington Jr High School Naperville | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| ST RAPHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Naperville | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Naper Elem School Naperville | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Beebe Elem School Naperville | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Maplebrook Elem School Naperville | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Naperville Central High School Naperville | 1.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Steeple Run Elem School Naperville | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Meadow Glens Elementary School Naperville | 1.8 mi | 7.2 |
| BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL Naperville | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Jefferson Jr High School Naperville | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Naperville North High School Naperville | 1.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Mill Street Elem School Naperville | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Owen Elementary School Naperville | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
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 Prairie Elem School 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 |
|---|---|
| Chopin Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.0 |
| Colene Hoose Elem School Normal, IL | 7.0 |
| Dunbar Elem School East Saint Louis, IL | 7.0 |
| Eisenhower Elem School Jacksonville, IL | 7.0 |
| Funston Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.0 |
| Husmann Elem School Crystal Lake, IL | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prairie Elem School
What grades does Prairie Elem School serve?
Prairie Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Prairie Elem School?
Prairie Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 502 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Elem School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Prairie Elem School rank in IL?
Prairie Elem School is ranked #1221 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Prairie Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie Elem School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Prairie Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie Elem School has 57.0% math proficiency and 67.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Prairie Elem School a charter school?
No, Prairie Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Prairie Elem School a Title I school?
No, Prairie Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Elem School?
8.4% of students at Prairie 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (968/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Naperville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 502
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 8.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- DuPage County
- Phone
- (630) 420-6348
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Naperville CUSD 203- District Enrollment
- 16,071
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,199
- District Rank
- #12 of 22
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
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