The top reported proficiency rate is 81% in English language arts. The lowest is 67% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Patton Elem School
Patton Elementary is a small public school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Arlington Heights, a northwest Chicago suburb with an active downtown and major employers including Northwest Community Healthcare, Amazon, and United Airlines. The school sits on a residential campus, separate from the village's transit-oriented downtown core, and draws families from a neighborhood setting rather than an urban walk-to-school model.
The school's student body is predominantly white, with smaller representations of Asian, Hispanic, and other backgrounds. Enrollment is modest, with about 415 students across the grade band. Data on free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility and special education populations was not available, so parents may want to contact the school directly to understand the full scope of economic diversity and support services available.
On state assessments administered in spring 2025, Patton's performance shows solid results in reading and mathematics across the lower elementary grades where testing occurs. In English language arts, third grade students reached proficiency at a rate above three-quarters, and fourth and fifth graders performed stronger still, with the fourth grade reaching proficiency well above that threshold. Mathematics results are somewhat lower: third grade reached approximately four-fifths proficiency, fourth grade near that level, and fifth grade around three-quarters. Science proficiency in fifth grade was notably lower, at about two-thirds. The school does not administer or report state assessments for grades above fifth, as those grades are not part of Patton's structure.
When compared to other public schools in Cook County, Patton's overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile, indicating academic performance above the county median. This is a genuine strength. However, science results suggest a softer spot, and families with students heading into sixth grade will transition out of Patton's building.
The district recently completed a major transition: voters approved full-day kindergarten beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, replacing the prior half-day model. This structural change brought new classroom construction and came with a modest property tax increase, a durable consideration for families evaluating the district. The referendum passed narrowly, reflecting the community's mixed views on the expansion.
Arlington Heights itself is a market in flux. Home values in the area have appreciated modestly, and rental costs are moderate relative to the region. The downtown has seen redevelopment centered on restaurants, retail, and transit-oriented housing near the Metra station. The largest pending project is the former Arlington Park racetrack site, purchased by the Chicago Bears in 2023 with plans for a stadium and mixed-use development, though timing remains uncertain and the Bears have also explored other options.
For a family considering Patton, the school offers solid elementary academics, particularly in reading, and sits in a stable residential neighborhood within a commuter-friendly suburb. The full-day kindergarten expansion signals district investment in early learning, though it also reflects a significant tax commitment. State test data covers only through fifth grade, so families should ask the school about transitions and middle school preparation.
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