The top reported proficiency rate is 82% in English language arts. The lowest is 68% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Braeside Elem School
Braeside Elementary is a small school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Highland Park, an affluent North Shore suburb north of Chicago. The school enrolls students in roughly equal-sized grade cohorts across its grade span, with a student population that is predominantly white and drawn largely from the surrounding affluent residential neighborhood.
In state assessments on the Illinois Assessment of Reading and Mathematics (IAR), Braeside's proficiency results show uneven performance across grades. In third grade, students achieved strong proficiency in both math and reading. Fourth-grade math proficiency dipped noticeably lower, while reading held steady. Fifth grade math rebounded to a mid-range level, with reading proficiency among the highest in the school. Science proficiency in fifth grade was the school's weakest result. The school maintained near-universal test participation rates, indicating consistent engagement with state assessments.
Compared to the broader Lake County district universe, Braeside's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among its peer districts. This strong comparative standing reflects solid foundational performance, though the grade-to-grade variation and the particularly lower science result suggest areas where instruction and student support may warrant closer attention.
The school sits within North Shore SD 112, a district actively engaged in facility modernization. In November 2022, voters approved a substantial bond referendum to renovate all ten schools in the district, including security upgrades, air-quality improvements, accessibility work, and general modernization. Braeside is scheduled for renovation in the near term, following completion at four other schools. This capital investment comes with an estimated increase in property taxes, a factor families should account for when considering residence in the district.
A significant district decision made in June 2025 may affect the school's population and boundaries. The board voted to close Red Oak Elementary at the end of 2026-27 and consolidate the district's dual-language program into Oak Terrace Elementary beginning in 2027-28. The consolidation, driven by declining enrollment in the dual-language program and a decrease in Hispanic student enrollment since 2020-21, will reshape attendance zones across the district. Families currently in or considering the dual-language pathway should clarify how their enrollment at Braeside or another school may be affected by this change.
Highland Park itself is undergoing active residential development. A major townhome and housing project on the former Solo Cup manufacturing site is planned to break ground in the second half of 2026, described as the largest housing project in the community in generations. This growth may gradually shift school enrollment patterns and neighborhood composition, though such change typically unfolds over years. The community is also home to Ravinia Festival and serves as a transit hub with multiple Metra stations, giving families access to Chicago's job centers.
Housing values in the 60035 zip code remain substantial, reflecting the community's affluent character. The affordability picture is tight: estimated monthly mortgage costs and rent-to-income ratios suggest housing is expensive relative to typical household income. Families considering a move should evaluate whether the school's academic standing and facility improvements justify the housing premium.
For parents seeking a small elementary school with solid overall proficiency standing in a wealthy, stable community supported by recent capital investment, Braeside represents a mainstream choice. The uneven grade-level performance and lower science result are worth examining in detail with school leadership, and the dual-language consolidation and potential boundary shifts from district growth are practical considerations to track as plans unfold over the next two years.
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