The top reported proficiency rate is 86% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on West School
West School serves third and fourth grade students in Glencoe, a small affluent residential village on Chicago's North Shore, where the school sits within a greenbelt of forest preserves and natural open space. The school draws from a student body that is predominantly white, with smaller shares of multiracial, Hispanic, and Asian students. Demographic data on free and reduced-price lunch eligibility and English learner status were not available; the school's setting in an affluent community suggests relatively lower economic need, though a parent may want to look into this further with the school.
In mathematics, third grade proficiency is strong, with the majority of students meeting proficiency standards. Fourth grade proficiency is solid, though lower than the grade below. In English language arts, both grades show proficiency rates in the mid-to-high range. The school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among districts across Cook County. Student participation in state testing is consistently very high, indicating minimal absenteeism on testing days. Illinois state testing occurs only in grades three through eight, so no comparison exists for younger grades; West School serves grades three and four, which explains why no data appears for fifth through eighth grades.
The school enrolls a modest number of students across two grades. Its academic outcomes reflect the advantages of a small school size and an affluent community context. A parent may find the contained grade configuration and size conducive to close teacher-student relationships, though it also means the school functions as an elementary feeder rather than as a self-contained K-8 or larger institution.
Glencoe School District 35 has implemented an "Away for the Day" device policy requiring all personal electronic devices, including cell phones and smartwatches, to be stored in lockers during school hours except for medical needs. The district also rolled out age-appropriate Technology Guidelines developed with input from teachers, staff, and families. For families considering the area, the village in November 2024 approved home rule status, a municipal change that grants broader local taxing authority and affects long-term fiscal planning for residents. Housing in the zip code is expensive, with median home values well above the state and national benchmarks, and a price-to-income ratio well above typical affordability thresholds, reflecting the community's affluent character.
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