The top reported proficiency rate is 70% in Math. The lowest is 60% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Indian Trail Elem School
Indian Trail Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Highland Park, an affluent North Shore community along Lake Michigan. The school is part of North Shore School District 112, which spans two affluent suburbs north of Chicago and has been managing significant transitions in both its facilities and program structure.
The school enrollment is small, under a few hundred students distributed fairly evenly across its six grade levels. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller populations of Asian, Hispanic, and multiracial students. Data on free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility and special education or English learner populations was not available in the school profile, which limits visibility into economic diversity or support intensity at the school.
Math proficiency across the tested grades shows a range. Third grade performed well above the midpoint, but fourth and fifth grades showed lower performance—fourth grade particularly so. English language arts results are more mixed, with third grade notably weaker, fourth grade at the same level as math, and fifth grade stronger. Science proficiency in fifth grade was similarly modest. Overall, the school's proficiency index places it above the midpoint among Lake County school districts, a solid standing but not at the highest tier. State testing adopted new cut scores in recent years, so year-over-year trend data is not available; a parent may want to ask the school directly about academic direction.
The school sits in a neighborhood setting on Saint Johns Avenue, distinct from downtown Highland Park's commercial core, and serves as a neighborhood anchor in the residential community. Highland Park itself is experiencing active redevelopment with multiple housing projects underway, including significant townhome and affordable units now in planning or construction. The city has strong civic infrastructure—a walkable downtown with the Metra station, public library, and arts institutions—and is home to major employers in healthcare, culture, and education. Housing values are substantial, reflecting the area's affluence.
District 112 is mid-cycle through a major facilities renovation program funded by a recent bond referendum. Four of the district's ten elementary schools have already completed renovations; Braeside is next in the pipeline, and Wayne Thomas construction is set to begin in 2026. These upgrades include security systems, air quality improvements, accessibility work, and general modernization. For families at Indian Trail, the renovation timeline is still ahead, which is a factor in both the school's long-term physical condition and the district's tax structure.
The district has also announced a significant consolidation: Red Oak Elementary will close at the end of the 2026-27 school year, and the district's dual-language program will consolidate into Oak Terrace Elementary starting in the 2027-28 school year. This reshaping reflects a substantial decline in dual-language enrollment since 2020-21 and reflects broader demographic shifts in the district. For families considering the area or seeking bilingual programming, this is a material change to the district's offerings.
Indian Trail is a neighborhood elementary school in a wealthy, stable community with adequate but not exceptional test results, set within a district undergoing renovation and program restructuring. Its appeal depends largely on fit with the local residential area and comfort with the district's current transition period.
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