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Average

#1670 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 44% in state

Walt Whitman Elem School

Elementary School · Wheeling CCSD 21

133 Wille Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090

Enrollment

409

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#1,670 of 3,813

In Wheeling

#2 of 7

public schools

In district

#5 of 12

Wheeling CCSD 21

School environment

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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Walt Whitman Elem School

6.5/10

Elementary School in Wheeling · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Oliver W Holmes Middle School

5.7/10

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

Literki Learning Care Center Inc.

Nearby

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

About Walt Whitman Elem School

Walt Whitman Elem School is a public elementary school in Wheeling, IL, part of Wheeling CCSD 21. Walt Whitman Elem School serves approximately 409 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Walt Whitman Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,670 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Walt Whitman Elem School show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • IL avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Walt Whitman Elem School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

31% of students at Walt Whitman Elem School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.48 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency8% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)13% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-5.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,330
Chronic Absenteeism30.8%

Walt Whitman Elem School — Students at Walt Whitman Elem School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 13%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 29.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 20.1% (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
71%
ELA
41%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
42%
2011
Math
66%
ELA
43%
2012
Math
41%
ELA
29%
2013
Math
43%
ELA
33%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
13%
ELA
10%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
13%
2018
Math
14%
ELA
13%
2019
Math
14%
ELA
13%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
ELA
7.5%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Walt Whitman Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
56th percentile in IL
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
7.3/10
Very Good
Environment
8.5/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

133 Wille Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Walt Whitman Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hickory Point Elem School (rated 10.0/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Northbrook), which scores notably higher. Another option is Earl Pritchett School (rated 9.2/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Buffalo Grove), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Indian Grove Elem School (rated 8.0/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Mount Prospect), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Wheeling, see our Wheeling schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Oliver W Holmes Middle School Wheeling 0.3 mi 5.7
LITERKI LEARNING CARE CENTER INC. Wheeling 0.8 mi
Mark Twain Elem School Wheeling 1.2 mi 6.1
ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wheeling 1.8 mi 6.6
POKO LOKO CHILD CARE CENTER Wheeling 1.5 mi
Wood Oaks Jr High School Northbrook 1.5 mi 9.7
Wheeling High School Wheeling 1.7 mi 7.2
Jack London Middle School Wheeling 1.7 mi 6.0
Eugene Field Elem School Wheeling 1.8 mi 5.5
ST ALPHONSUS LIGUORI SCHOOL Prospect Heights 2.5 mi 7.1
TORAH ACADEMY OF BUFFALO GROVE Buffalo Grove 2.1 mi
Robert Frost Elem School Mount Prospect 2.6 mi 5.8
Hickory Point Elem School Northbrook 2.1 mi 10.0
Booth Tarkington Elem School Wheeling 2.2 mi 6.1
RIVERWOODS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Riverwoods 2.9 mi
Earl Pritchett School Buffalo Grove 2.5 mi 9.2
GERTRUGE B NIELSEN CHILD CARE & LEARNING CENTER Northbrook 2.6 mi
WYSPA DZIECI LEARNING CENTER Northbrook 2.3 mi
CENTERVIEW THERAPEUTIC SCHOOL Northbrook 2.3 mi
Indian Grove Elem School Mount Prospect 3.2 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60090 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,449

Median Home Value

$243,500

Median Rent

$1,578/mo

Population

38,340

College Educated

40.5%

Homeownership

61.1%

Avg Commute

26.8 min

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

39.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ben-Gil Elementary School Gillespie, IL 6.5
Brennemann Elem School Chicago, IL 6.5
Briar Glen Elem School Wheaton, IL 6.5
CHRIST THE KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago, IL 6.5
CICS - Avalon/South Shore Chicago, IL 6.5
CICS - Basil Campus Chicago, IL 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Walt Whitman Elem School

What grades does Walt Whitman Elem School serve?

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

How many students attend Walt Whitman Elem School?

Walt Whitman Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 409 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Walt Whitman Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Walt Whitman Elem School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Walt Whitman Elem School rank in IL?

Walt Whitman Elem School ranks #1,670 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Walt Whitman Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Walt Whitman Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Walt Whitman Elem School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Walt Whitman Elem School has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Walt Whitman Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Walt Whitman Elem School a Title I school?

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

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

78.5% of students at Walt Whitman 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

Walk Score
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Cook County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.8%

District

Wheeling CCSD 21
District Enrollment
6,205
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,330
District Rank
#5 of 12

How we rate schools

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