Wayne Thomas Elem School

Wayne Thomas Elementary School is a public school in Highland Park, Illinois, serving kindergarten through fifth grade with 442 students. It earns a composite score of 9.6 out of 10, rating Exceptional overall, with academic and growth scores of 9.3 and 9.9 respectively. That growth score in particular signals students are advancing well beyond expected levels year over year.

The numbers place Wayne Thomas among the very best public schools in the state. It ranks 14th out of 2,326 elementary schools in Illinois and sits at 16th out of 3,813 public schools statewide — putting it in the top fraction of a percent. Within Highland Park, it ranks first among nine public schools.

A student-teacher ratio of 13.4 to 1 keeps class sizes manageable, giving students more direct access to instruction. Wayne Thomas is a regular public school, meaning these results come without selective admissions or entrance requirements — any student in the attendance zone can access one of Illinois's strongest elementary programs. Families comparing schools in Highland Park or the broader North Shore area will find few public options that match this combination of academic achievement and consistent student growth.