Top Rankings
Oak Park ESD 97 School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 4 public preschools serving 1,786 students in Oak Park ESD 97 School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public pre schools in Illinois.
Public Preschools in Oak Park ESD 97 School District have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Illinois public pre school average of 22%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 25% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Illinois public preschool average of 58% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IL)
# Schools
10 Schools
1,387 Schools
# Students
5,596 Students
512,005 Students
# Teachers
464 Teachers
38,167 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
District Rank
Oak Park ESD 97 School District, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 844 school districts in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2020-2021 school year.
Overall District Rank
#134 out of 852 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)41%
28%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
65%
50%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.67
0.70
# American Indian Students
5 Students
1,218 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
186 Students
20,502 Students
% Asian Students
4%
4%
# Hispanic Students
819 Students
162,757 Students
% Hispanic Students
15%
32%
# Black Students
909 Students
94,002 Students
% Black Students
16%
18%
# White Students
2,908 Students
213,555 Students
% White Students
52%
42%
# Hawaiian Students
3 Students
447 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
712 Students
19,465 Students
% of Two or more races Students
13%
4%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
159
76,065
# Students in K Grade:
516
71,052
# Students in 1st Grade:
540
68,700
# Students in 2nd Grade:
610
66,332
# Students in 3rd Grade:
620
56,657
# Students in 4th Grade:
619
53,643
# Students in 5th Grade:
648
46,874
# Students in 6th Grade:
585
28,049
# Students in 7th Grade:
633
22,127
# Students in 8th Grade:
666
22,424
# Students in 9th Grade:
-
40
# Students in 10th Grade:
-
12
# Students in 11th Grade:
-
12
# Students in 12th Grade:
-
18
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $23,509 is higher than the state median of $21,990. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $23,648 is higher than the state median of $21,244. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$132 MM
$41,381 MM
Spending
$132 MM
$39,976 MM
Revenue / Student
$23,509
$21,990
Spending / Student
$23,648
$21,244
Best Oak Park ESD 97 School District Public Preschools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Whittier Elementary School
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
715 N Harvey Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 524-3115
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 524-3115
Grades: PK-5
| 370 students
Rank: #22.
Oliver W Holmes Elementary School
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
508 N Kenilworth Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 524-3100
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 524-3100
Grades: PK-5
| 534 students
Rank: #33.
William Hatch Elementary School
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1000 N Ridgeland Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 524-3095
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 524-3095
Grades: PK-5
| 365 students
Rank: #44.
Longfellow Elementary School
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
715 Highland Ave
Oak Park, IL 60304
(708) 524-3060
Oak Park, IL 60304
(708) 524-3060
Grades: PK-5
| 517 students
Recent Articles
Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
A six-year old in Aurora, Colorado, was suspended after singing an LMFAO song to a little girl in his class and reportedly “shaking his booty.” We look at the case and the sexual harassment problem in public schools today.
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
