The top reported proficiency rate is 55% in English language arts. The lowest is 47% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on South Elem School
South Elem School is a small elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Des Plaines, Illinois, with an enrollment of about two hundred thirty students. The school sits in a diverse, mixed-income suburb northwest of Chicago, adjacent to O'Hare International Airport, where the community is actively pursuing downtown revitalization and transit-oriented development.
The student body at South Elem is predominantly Hispanic, with substantial representation from Asian and white students and smaller numbers of students from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. Data on free or reduced-price lunch eligibility and special populations such as English learners and students receiving special education services were not available, so a parent may want to contact the school directly to understand the full profile of student needs and support services.
On state testing, South Elem's results show mixed performance. In English language arts, fifth graders demonstrate the strongest achievement, while fourth-grade ELA proficiency sits at about half of tested students meeting state standards. In math, third and fourth graders show proficiency rates in the mid-range, with fifth graders reaching a higher level of mastery. Fifth-grade science proficiency is just under half. None of these results are trends; state assessment cut scores changed this year, making year-to-year comparison unreliable. The school participates fully in state testing, and performance in both math and ELA generally rises from third to fifth grade. Across tested subjects and grades, South Elem's overall proficiency index places it above the midpoint among schools in Cook County, a meaningful but not exceptional position. A parent may want to ask the school about the instructional strategies in place for students not yet proficient, particularly in third- and fourth-grade math.
South Elem is part of CCSD 62, a district that serves Des Plaines and is implementing major structural changes affecting families. Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, the district will move to full-day kindergarten, a shift from half-day instruction that will reshape daily schedules and childcare planning for families with kindergarteners. The district also adopted a new five-year strategic plan in 2024 centered on five goals: academic growth and readiness for transition to high school, an inclusive learning culture, workforce investment, family and community partnerships, and effective use of resources. This plan shapes the pedagogy and programs families will encounter throughout their child's experience in the district.
Des Plaines itself is a roughly fifteen-square-mile inner-ring suburb characterized by a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial uses. The downtown core near the Metra station on the Union Pacific Northwest line is walkable and seeing active redevelopment, including a renovated historic theater, mixed-use apartments, and retail anchors. Outside the downtown, the city is more car-oriented, with businesses dispersed across the footprint. The public library, Metra station, and Pace bus hub sit in the downtown area. Housing values have appreciated modestly, and the median listing price reflects a stable market with reasonable affordability relative to the region. The area is home to major employers including Allstate, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Rivers Casino, and other corporate and industrial tenants tied to the O'Hare market.
South Elem's school website was not identified in available data, so a parent seeking detailed information about curriculum, daily schedule, classroom organization, or school culture should reach out to the school directly.
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