Original Research by School Decision on Garfield Elem School
Garfield Elementary is a small primary school serving prekindergarten through second grade in Forest Park, a compact, transit-connected village about nine to ten miles west of downtown Chicago. The school sits within a densely populated neighborhood where the village's main commercial and civic anchors, including the public library and Madison Street business district, are a short walk away. This proximity to walkable, independent retail and the CTA Blue Line terminal shapes the everyday context for families here.
The school's enrollment is small, roughly balanced across its four grade levels. The student body reflects the demographic composition of Forest Park itself: students are distributed across multiple racial and ethnic backgrounds, with roughly equal shares identifying as Black and white, along with meaningful representation among Hispanic students and a smaller multiracial population. A small number of students identify as Asian. State assessment data was not available for this school, which is typical for schools serving only early elementary grades, as testing in Illinois does not begin until third grade. Likewise, there is no graduation rate or chronic absenteeism data, as these measures apply to older students and high schools.
The school is part of Forest Park School District 91, which has undergone significant restructuring. In 2022, the district consolidated its five schools into four by closing Grant-White Intermediate Elementary and merging students into a newly combined Field-Stevenson building. This reshaping means families with children advancing through the grades will experience a transition when their child moves from Garfield to the intermediate level. The district has adopted curriculum shifts in recent years, with particular emphasis on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) and a pilot program introducing students to artificial intelligence, directions that will continue as the district builds out its strategic plan for 2026 to 2030.
Housing in Forest Park is modestly priced relative to the broader Chicago region and below the Illinois state median. Median listing prices are in the low-to-mid range, and monthly rent is affordable relative to area household income. The market shows a buyer's advantage, with inventory above the typical turnover and fewer days on market than a year prior. This affordability, combined with the village's walkability, transit access, and relatively stable population, tends to attract families seeking a stable residential context without the higher costs of closer-in neighborhoods.
Parents considering Garfield should know that the school serves only early elementary grades and sits within a district that has recently consolidated. The school's small enrollment means close peer groups and staff familiarity. No state testing data is available because students at this level are not yet assessed. What remains to be gathered from the school directly is information about class size, special education and English learner support, and how the school approaches early literacy and numeracy.
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