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Excellent

#24 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 1% in state

The Joseph Sears School

Elementary School · Kenilworth SD 38

542 Abbotsford Rd, Kenilworth, IL 60043

Enrollment

480

Student-Teacher

9.1:1

Score

9.6

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#24 of 3,813

School environment

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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The Joseph Sears School

9.6/10

Elementary School in Kenilworth · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

New Trier Township H S Winnetka

9.6/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Greeley Elem School

9.8/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About The Joseph Sears School

The Joseph Sears School is a public elementary school in Kenilworth, IL, part of Kenilworth SD 38. The Joseph Sears School serves approximately 480 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 9.1:1 student-teacher ratio. The Joseph Sears School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.6 out of 10 and ranks #24 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for The Joseph Sears School show 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares3.4 pts above IL schools
  • This school 9.6 · Excellent
  • IL avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 9.1:1 students to teachers, The Joseph Sears School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.47 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency70% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency74% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+24.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
Resources & Environment10.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$32,163
Chronic Absenteeism9.6%

The Joseph Sears School — Students at The Joseph Sears School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 83.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 82.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
98%
ELA
96%
2010
Math
99.5%
ELA
98%
2011
Math
99.5%
ELA
99.5%
2012
Math
91%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
91%
ELA
91%
2014
Math
74%
ELA
80%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
75%
ELA
76%
2017
Math
74%
ELA
82%
2018
Math
74%
ELA
73%
2019
Math
74%
ELA
73%
2020*
Math
77%
ELA
76%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
76%
2022
ELA
70%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How The Joseph Sears School Compares

See how The Joseph Sears School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.6/10
99th percentile in IL
Academic
9.9/10
Excellent
Growth
9.2/10
Excellent
Environment
10.0/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.6%

Location

542 Abbotsford Rd, Kenilworth, IL 60043

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Joseph Sears School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Greeley Elem School (rated 9.8/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Winnetka), with a very similar rating. Another option is Romona Elem School (rated 9.4/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Wilmette), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Central Elem School (rated 9.3/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Wilmette), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Kenilworth, see our Kenilworth schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
New Trier Township H S Winnetka Winnetka 0.3 mi 9.6
Greeley Elem School Winnetka 0.6 mi 9.8
RONALD KNOX MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wilmette 0.7 mi
NORTH SHORE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Winnetka 0.8 mi 7.3
THE SCHOOL OF SAINTS FAITH, HOPE & CHARITY Winnetka 0.9 mi 6.8
McKenzie Elem School Wilmette 1.1 mi 8.7
Harper Elem School Wilmette 1.0 mi 8.8
Central Elem School Wilmette 1.2 mi 9.3
Highcrest Middle School Wilmette 1.3 mi 9.2
Willard Elem School Evanston 1.6 mi 8.1
ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL Wilmette 1.4 mi 7.2
Wilmette Junior High School Wilmette 1.6 mi 9.0
THE BARBEREUX SCHOOL Evanston 1.9 mi
Crow Island Elem School Winnetka 1.6 mi 9.2
Marie Murphy School Wilmette 1.6 mi 9.5
Lincolnwood Elem School Evanston 2.1 mi 8.9
Romona Elem School Wilmette 1.8 mi 9.4
The Skokie School Winnetka 1.8 mi 9.3
Highland Elementary School Skokie 2.3 mi 6.3
Haven Middle School Evanston 2.2 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60043 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$250,001

Median Home Value

$1,409,800

Median Rent

$3,501/mo

Population

2,543

College Educated

91.9%

Homeownership

96.1%

Avg Commute

34.1 min

Poverty Rate

1.1%

Median Age

41.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Madison Elem School Hinsdale, IL 9.6
Wescott Elementary School Northbrook, IL 9.6
Copeland Manor Elem School Libertyville, IL 9.5
Decatur Classical Elem School Chicago, IL 9.7
Elm Elem School Burr Ridge, IL 9.7
Forest Hills Elem School Western Springs, IL 9.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Joseph Sears School

What grades does The Joseph Sears School serve?

The Joseph Sears School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend The Joseph Sears School?

The Joseph Sears School has an enrollment of approximately 480 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Joseph Sears School?

The student-teacher ratio at The Joseph Sears School is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does The Joseph Sears School rank in IL?

The Joseph Sears School ranks #24 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is The Joseph Sears School's MySchoolScout rating?

The Joseph Sears School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at The Joseph Sears School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, The Joseph Sears School has 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is The Joseph Sears School a charter school?

No, The Joseph Sears School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is The Joseph Sears School a Title I school?

No, The Joseph Sears School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
59 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
66 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
480
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Cook County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.6%

District

Kenilworth SD 38
District Enrollment
480
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$32,163
District Rank
#1 of 1

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