Average
#2631 of 3,813 schools in IL
South Elem School
Elementary School · CCSD 62
1535 Everett Ave, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Enrollment
233
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
233
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Plaines
#13 of 17
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,571 of 2,326
In district
#7 of 11
CCSD 62
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About South Elem School
South Elem School serves 233 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Des Plaines, Illinois, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking #117 out of 3,819 Illinois elementary schools, the school places in the 97th percentile statewide for academic achievement. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 10.1 to 1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.
Academic performance is strong, with 52% of students demonstrating proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels. The school's academic score of 9.0 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence. Located at 1535 Everett Ave, South Elem School sits in a stable residential community where the median household income is $75,528 and median home value reaches $287,800.
The surrounding neighborhood in the 60018 ZIP code is home to nearly 29,000 residents, with 26% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and an 11% poverty rate. This small city setting provides students with a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to quality educational opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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South Elem School — Students at South Elem School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.8%
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: 1.6/10.
How South Elem School Compares
See how South Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 37% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
1535 Everett Ave, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. George B Carpenter Elem School (rated 8.5/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Park Ridge), which scores notably higher. Another option is SCIENCE & ARTS ACADEMY (rated 8.4/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PLATO ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Plaines, see our Des Plaines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Iroquois Community School Des Plaines | 0.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Plainfield Elem School Des Plaines | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Central Elem School Des Plaines | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Orchard Place Elem School Des Plaines | 1.2 mi | 4.7 |
| SCIENCE & ARTS ACADEMY Des Plaines | 1.3 mi | 8.4 |
| PLATO ACADEMY Des Plaines | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Maine West High School Des Plaines | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Forest Elem School Des Plaines | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Algonquin Middle School Des Plaines | 1.2 mi | 7.3 |
| WILLOWS ACADEMY Des Plaines | 1.5 mi | 8.6 |
| North Elementary School Des Plaines | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| GUARDIAN ANGEL ORTHODOX DAY SCHOOL Des Plaines | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Franklin Elementary School Park Ridge | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Maine East High School Park Ridge | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Rosemont Elem School Rosemont | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| George B Carpenter Elem School Park Ridge | 1.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Terrace Elem School Des Plaines | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Maine South High School Park Ridge | 2.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Cumberland Elem School Des Plaines | 2.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Devonshire School Des Plaines | 2.1 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60018 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,415
Median Home Value
$302,400
Median Rent
$1,174/mo
Population
29,302
College Educated
26.4%
Homeownership
72.1%
Avg Commute
24.8 min
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Median Age
41.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Elem School has a median household income of $85,415. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $302,400, with a median rent of $1,174/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| CALVIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL South Holland, IL | 5.5 |
| CATHEDRAL OF ST RAYMOND SCHOOL Joliet, IL | 5.5 |
| Clark Elementary School South Beloit, IL | 5.5 |
| Dimmick Comm Cons SD 175 La Salle, IL | 5.5 |
| Erie Elem School Erie, IL | 5.5 |
| Gordon School Posen, IL | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Elem School
What grades does South Elem School serve?
South Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend South Elem School?
South Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 233 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Elem School is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Elem School rank in IL?
South Elem School is ranked #2631 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is South Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Elem School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 South Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Elem School has 52.0% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Elem School a charter school?
No, South Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Elem School a Title I school?
No, South Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Elem School?
49.8% of students at South 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 (1,264/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Plaines). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 233
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (847) 824-1566
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CCSD 62- District Enrollment
- 4,480
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,359
- District Rank
- #7 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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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