The top reported proficiency rate is 58% in English language arts. The lowest is 48% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Washington Elem School
Washington Elementary School is a neighborhood elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Evanston. The school sits on Ashland Avenue in the downtown core and is part of Evanston CCSD 65, a district managing significant transitions and structural fiscal challenges that will reshape the school landscape over the next few years.
The school's academic performance shows mixed results. In the most recent state assessment, proficiency in math and English language arts varied substantially by grade. In third grade, students met or exceeded state proficiency targets in math and English language arts at rates slightly above the midpoint. By fourth and fifth grade, proficiency in math dropped noticeably, while English language arts proficiency held more stable in the mid-range. Fifth-grade science proficiency was measured at a level below both math and English. Across the school, participation in testing was very high, indicating consistent assessment access. When compared against the sample of all other school districts in Cook County, Washington Elementary's overall proficiency sits above the midpoint, though the school has weaker performance than the highest-performing schools in the county and stronger performance than the lowest-achieving ones.
The school enrolls a small-to-moderate number of students distributed across grades. The student body is mixed in racial and ethnic composition, with White and Hispanic students making up the largest shares, followed by Black students, multiracial students, and a smaller Asian population. The racial mix reflects Evanston's diverse residential character. Data on free or reduced-price lunch eligibility was not available, so a parent cannot assess the school's economic composition from the materials provided.
Evanston itself is a mixed-character lakeside city just north of Chicago, home to Northwestern University and anchored by a walkable downtown. The city has kept population roughly stable over recent years, though a new strategic housing plan aims to add substantial new units; several major residential projects are underway or approved. Median home values in the broader Evanston zip code are in the mid-range for the region, and rental costs are moderate relative to median income. The city's job market is dominated by Northwestern, the health system, and education and professional services.
The district is navigating a multi-phase structural deficit reduction plan. Two schools are closing at the end of this school year: Kingsley Elementary and Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies, which was the district's only entirely bilingual school. A new Foster Elementary is opening in the Fifth Ward for the 2026-27 school year to absorb displaced families and house a relocated Two-Way Immersion program. These closures and openings will trigger substantial boundary changes and reassignments across the elementary schools. In curriculum, the district replaced its literacy program in 2023 with a new approach after the prior curriculum drew criticism for inconsistent foundational reading instruction. In middle school math, the district removed acceleration tracks and placed all students on a common advanced sequence beginning in 2021. The district raised property tax levies to the maximum allowed in both 2023 and 2024 and is considering a new operating referendum (potentially for March 2026) to address an ongoing structural deficit. These fiscal and programmatic shifts create an environment of change for families; a parent may want to look into the district's current boundary map and any expected reassignments specific to Washington Elementary.
Washington Elementary offers a traditional neighborhood school experience in a walkable, transit-served urban setting with access to citywide parks, libraries, and community centers. It serves an ethnically diverse student population and sits within a district actively reshaping its K-5 footprint. The school's academic performance is above the regional midpoint but reflects the reality of mixed results across grade levels that many parents will want to discuss directly with the school when considering fit.
See more original research from School Decision →