The top reported proficiency rate is 81% in English language arts. The lowest is 61% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Arnett C Lines Elem School
Arnett C Lines is a regular elementary school in Barrington serving kindergarten through fifth grade, with a student body of roughly in the mid-size range for a suburban elementary school. The school sits in a solidly affluent residential community northwest of Chicago where the median home value is substantial and the housing market remains active, though inventory and price growth have moderated. The village itself retains a small-town character anchored by a walkable downtown, historic architecture, Metra rail access, and strong park and library resources.
Student composition is predominantly white, with a meaningful Hispanic enrollment and small populations of Asian and multiracial students. The school does not report free-or-reduced-price lunch rates or counts of students with IEPs or English learners in its public data, so a parent may want to contact the school directly to understand the full scope of student needs and support infrastructure. The broader district has undergone significant investment: voters approved a recent referendum for safety upgrades, instructional improvements, and new facilities, and a prior capital program completed sensory rooms in all elementary schools and other upgrades across the system.
On state testing, the school shows solid performance. In English language arts, proficiency rates for grades three, four, and five cluster around the upper seventies to mid-eighties, with fifth grade notably strong. Math proficiency is somewhat more uneven: fourth grade reaches the lower eighties, while third and fifth grades sit in the mid-seventies. Science proficiency in fifth grade is lower, sitting in the sixties. All tested grades show full participation rates. The school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among the county's districts, a meaningful signal of performance strength.
The school serves only kindergarten through fifth grade, so state testing does not extend to sixth grade and above; that accounts for the absence of results at those levels. Science is tested only in fifth and eighth grades under Illinois assessment design, which explains the sparse reporting in that subject.
Barrington CUSD 220 began offering free full-day kindergarten at all elementary schools in the 2024-25 school year, replacing the prior half-day model and eliminating a fee-based enrichment program. This is a significant change for families with kindergarteners. The district also recently completed a comprehensive capital improvement program that included adding dedicated sensory rooms to every elementary school.
The broader Barrington context is one of stability and measured growth. The village center remains a genuine civic hub with boutiques, restaurants, the Metra station, the library, and parks within walking distance. Several major residential development projects are underway, including a large luxury home community planned for the former PepsiCo site and a mixed-use downtown building with residential, retail, and restaurant space. The housing and property tax environment reflects the area's affluence: homeownership carries a meaningful financial commitment, and a recent district referendum will increase property taxes for school funding, with post-passage analyses suggesting the actual tax impact may be higher than originally projected. A prospective resident or parent should factor these costs into their housing decision.
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