Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#3760 of 3,813 schools in IL

Willow Bend Elem School

Elementary School · Palatine CCSD 15

4700 Barker Ave, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

Enrollment

975

Student-Teacher

23.8:1

Score

3.6

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rolling Meadows

#6 of 6

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#2,279 of 2,326

In district

#19 of 19

Palatine CCSD 15

Academic performance

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Willow Bend Elem School

Willow Bend Elementary School serves 975 students in prekindergarten through sixth grade in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. With 41 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.8 to 1, providing educational opportunities in this established suburban community. The school ranks in the 55th percentile among Illinois elementary schools, placing #1718 out of 3819 statewide.

Academically, Willow Bend shows room for growth, with 36% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading across grade levels. The school's focus on student development continues as educators work with families to support learning outcomes. Willow Bend Elementary operates within Rolling Meadows' 60008 ZIP code area, where families benefit from a stable suburban environment.

The surrounding neighborhood reflects a median household income of $89,205 and median home values around $275,800. With 40% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 6.8%, the community demonstrates strong educational values and economic stability. Located at 4700 Barker Avenue, Willow Bend Elementary sits in the heart of this large suburban area, serving families who have chosen Rolling Meadows for its community-oriented atmosphere and convenient access to the greater Chicago metropolitan region.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Willow Bend Elem School is 23.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.5Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-10.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36%
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected+7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.7Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,762

Willow Bend Elem School — Students at Willow Bend Elem School score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
63%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
35%
ELA
37%
2022
ELA
36%

* 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: 1.5/10.

How Willow Bend Elem School Compares

See how Willow Bend Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.6/10
1th percentile in IL
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
1.5/10
Below average
Environment
1.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

Location

4700 Barker Ave, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Willow Bend Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Winston Campus Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Palatine), which scores notably higher. Another option is Forest View Elem School (rated 9.0/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Mount Prospect), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kimball Hill Elem School (rated 8.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rolling Meadows, see our Rolling Meadows schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Rolling Meadows High School Rolling Meadows 0.2 mi 7.1
Central Road Elem School Rolling Meadows 0.5 mi 7.1
Carl Sandburg Jr High School Rolling Meadows 0.8 mi 5.9
Kimball Hill Elem School Rolling Meadows 1.2 mi 8.9
Westgate Elem School Arlington Heights 1.4 mi 6.1
Juliette Low Elem School Arlington Heights 1.7 mi 6.3
OUR LADY OF THE WAYSIDE SCHOOL Arlington Heights 1.8 mi 6.3
Plum Grove Jr High School Rolling Meadows 2.0 mi 5.7
South Middle School Arlington Heights 1.9 mi 6.4
SOUTH CAMPUS Palatine 2.8 mi 7.0
Dryden Elem School Arlington Heights 2.4 mi 7.8
Winston Campus Elementary Palatine 3.3 mi 9.1
ST PETER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Arlington Heights 3.0 mi 6.3
Patton Elem School Arlington Heights 3.2 mi 5.6
Pleasant Hill Elem School Palatine 3.0 mi 5.7
Winston Campus Jr High Palatine 3.4 mi 7.5
J B Conant High School Hoffman Estates 2.9 mi 8.3
Holmes Jr High School Mount Prospect 2.7 mi 8.5
Forest View Elem School Mount Prospect 2.7 mi 9.0
Gray M Sanborn Elem School Palatine 3.5 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60008 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$96,213

Median Home Value

$295,000

Median Rent

$1,561/mo

Population

22,949

College Educated

38.6%

Homeownership

72.5%

Avg Commute

26.5 min

Poverty Rate

7.1%

Median Age

38.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Willow Bend Elem School has a median household income of $96,213. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $295,000, with a median rent of $1,561/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% 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
Gary D Wright Elem Sch Hampshire, IL 3.7
Goethe Elem School Chicago, IL 3.8
Long Beach Elem School Montgomery, IL 3.8
Thomas Jefferson Elem Sch Joliet, IL 3.8
Olney C Allen Elem School Aurora, IL 3.9
Tri-C Elementary School Carterville, IL 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Willow Bend Elem School

What grades does Willow Bend Elem School serve?

Willow Bend Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Willow Bend Elem School?

Willow Bend Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 975 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Willow Bend Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Willow Bend Elem School is 23.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Willow Bend Elem School rank in IL?

Willow Bend Elem School is ranked #3760 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Willow Bend Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Willow Bend Elem School has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Willow Bend Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Willow Bend Elem School has 49.0% math proficiency and 43.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Willow Bend Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Willow Bend Elem School a Title I school?

No, Willow Bend Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Willow Bend Elem School?

46.2% of students at Willow Bend 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
50 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
58 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,382/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rolling Meadows). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
975
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Cook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Palatine CCSD 15
District Enrollment
11,184
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,671
District Rank
#19 of 19

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.