The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in Science. The lowest is 30% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Emerson Elem School
Emerson Elementary is a small K–5 school in Berwyn with a strongly Hispanic student body (a substantial majority of enrollment) and a meaningful presence of Black and white students as well. The school sits in a dense, walkable residential neighborhood known for brick bungalows and long-time families, with the Cermak Road commercial corridor nearby and Metra rail access within the community.
The school's academic profile shows students working below the midpoint in proficiency relative to other Cook County district schools. In math, state test results across the tested grades show ranges from low teen performance in grade 4 to roughly mid-range performance in grade 3 and grade 5. English language arts proficiency climbs noticeably by grade 5, where students show substantially higher proficiency than they do in lower grades, suggesting either developmental gains, targeted intervention in upper elementary, or both. Grade 4 ELA performance remains relatively low. Science testing, available only for grade 5, shows just under half the students reaching proficiency. The school tests all students who are enrolled—participation is complete—but the proficiency levels overall tell a parent that this school's students are struggling to meet state standards across subjects. A parent considering Emerson may want to look further into what literacy and math support structures exist, especially given that the district recently adopted the Amplify CKLA literacy program and Bridges in Mathematics, which are evidence-aligned curricula meant to build strong foundational skills. The fact that fifth-grade ELA performance is materially better than fourth-grade suggests the school's upper grades may be a different instructional environment.
The school is part of Berwyn South School District 100, which publicly emphasizes its adoption of science-of-reading aligned literacy and structured math curricula, and has expanded a K–8 dual-language Spanish/English program across multiple schools. Families in the district now have the option to enroll in bilingual pathways that run from kindergarten through middle school rather than ending in elementary. This is a district choice for families to make rather than a default at Emerson itself, so interested parents should check with the school on how to access dual-language instruction if that is a priority.
Berwyn itself is a dense, near-Chicago suburb built on compact residential blocks, highly walkable, with public library, Metra rail service, and park access well integrated into neighborhood life. Housing in the zip code where Emerson sits is moderately priced relative to Cook County, and the market has shifted from a seller's advantage to a more balanced one in recent years, with homes spending moderate time on the market and prices holding steady. The city attracts families and first-time homebuyers to its combination of walkability, urban density, and proximity to downtown Chicago without a distant-suburb footprint.
Data on free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility was not available in the enrollment file, so a parent cannot immediately see what share of Emerson's families qualify for food assistance. Similarly, the district does not report enrollment of students with individualized education plans or English learners at the school level, which would help a parent understand support infrastructure. State testing data was not available for grades 6 and above, which reflects that Emerson is a K–5 building and does not serve those grades. A parent seeking a fuller picture of what academic and social-emotional support exists at Emerson, or how the new curricula are playing out in classrooms, might reach out directly to the school to observe a math or reading lesson, ask about intervention structures, and understand what peer group and daily school culture feel like.
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