The top reported proficiency rate is 76% in English language arts. The lowest is 71% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Benjamin Franklin Elem School
Benjamin Franklin Elementary is a kindergarten-through-fifth-grade school serving a community in the affluent western Chicago suburb of Glen Ellyn, about 23 miles from the Loop. The school enrolls a small population with particularly strong representation of white students and a modest but meaningful Asian and Hispanic presence. Data on free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility and English learners was not available.
The school's academic profile shows solid proficiency in elementary grades. In third grade math, proficiency reached a strong level. Fourth-grade math dropped to mid-range proficiency, and fifth grade held steady at a similar mark. English language arts proficiency in third grade sat at a respectable level, dipped slightly in fourth grade, then recovered to a notably higher level in fifth grade. Fifth-grade science proficiency came in just below the math-and-ELA range. State testing data for kindergarten through second grade is not reported because those grades are not assessed under Illinois testing requirements. The school shows full or near-full participation rates across all tested grades, indicating minimal opt-out. The data comes from the 2024-25 school year and reflects current standards; a note in the state data indicates that proficiency cut scores were recalibrated this year, so direct comparison with prior years is not safe.
Against the broader comparison of elementary schools across DuPage County districts, Benjamin Franklin's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile. This positioning reflects strong performance relative to peers in the county, though the school is one building within a larger district system.
Glen Ellyn itself is a well-maintained residential village with strong civic anchors. Downtown Glen Ellyn centers around the Metra station and includes walkable retail, dining, and cultural spaces within a pedestrian-friendly core; a prairie trail runs parallel to the rail line. Housing values in the immediate area are substantial, with the median home value and rental prices both reflecting an affluent market. The local real estate market shows moderate activity with median days on market around a month and stable pricing with modest year-over-year gains. The affordability picture reflects higher price-to-income ratios than the state average, though rental-to-income ratios are more manageable. Employment in the village is anchored by education (College of DuPage being the largest employer), health care, and hospitality sectors.
At the district level, Glen Ellyn School District 41 made a significant shift for the 2025-26 school year by launching universal full-day kindergarten at a new dedicated center, funded through district reserves. This was a direct response to a failed bond referendum in 2022 that would have otherwise funded the kindergarten expansion alongside other capital projects. The district moved ahead of Illinois' statewide mandate requiring full-day kindergarten by 2027-28, offering the program tuition-free to all families. For families who prefer the traditional half-day model, that option remains available. This change is worth noting for any parent considering this school with kindergarten-aged children, as it represents a major alteration to how the district organizes early learning.
Benjamin Franklin is a conventionally structured public elementary school with no special designation or alternative approach. It serves families in a prosperous community with strong institutional investment in schools and civic life. Performance data shows consistent, solid proficiency in tested subjects at the upper elementary level. Whether this school is the right fit depends on your preference for neighborhood school structures, your child's grade level, and whether the community's characteristics and housing market align with your family's needs.
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