Average
#1421 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 37% 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
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wheeling
#5 of 7
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#899 of 2,326
In district
#8 of 12
Wheeling CCSD 21
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Walt Whitman Elem School
Walt Whitman Elem School is a regular public elementary school nestled in the bustling suburb of Wheeling, Illinois. Serving students from pre-K through fifth grade, Walt Whitman offers a nurturing environment with an enrollment of 409 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, ensuring each child receives individualized attention. The school’s dedicated staff includes 32 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support every student's educational journey.
While the academic performance data indicates room for improvement—showing proficiency rates in ELA at 9% and math at 11%, compared to state rankings of #2655 out of 3819 schools (placing it in the 30th percentile)—the school remains committed to student development. Walt Whitman Elem School is situated in a vibrant suburban area, providing children with a rich community experience that complements their academic growth. Walt Whitman Elem School stands as an integral part of the Wheeling neighborhood, fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment for its young scholars.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Walt Whitman 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Walt Whitman Elem School — Students at Walt Whitman Elem School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 13%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.5%
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: 7.4/10.
How Walt Whitman Elem School Compares
See how Walt Whitman Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 14% (2019) to 7.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 13% (2019) to 7.5% (2022).
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 9.8/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Northbrook), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eugene Field Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Robert Frost Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Mount Prospect), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Wheeling, see our Wheeling schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Walt Whitman Elem School has a median household income of $83,449. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $243,500, with a median rent of $1,578/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Army Trail Elem School Addison, IL | 6.8 |
| Butterfield School Libertyville, IL | 6.8 |
| Carol Stream Elem School Carol Stream, IL | 6.8 |
| Christopher Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.8 |
| Cleveland Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.8 |
| Clifford Johnson School Warrenville, IL | 6.8 |
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 is ranked #1421 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Walt Whitman Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Walt Whitman Elem School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Walt Whitman Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walt Whitman Elem School has 10.8% math proficiency and 9.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (972/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wheeling). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (847) 520-2795
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wheeling CCSD 21- District Enrollment
- 6,205
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,330
- District Rank
- #8 of 12
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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