The top reported proficiency rate is 90% in English language arts. The lowest is 64% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Seventh Ave Elem School
Seventh Ave Elem School is a small elementary building serving kindergarten through sixth grade in La Grange, a historic, densely built suburb about fourteen miles west of downtown Chicago. The school enrolls a student population that is predominantly White, with a quarter or so of students from Asian, Hispanic, and multiracial backgrounds. The school's location on Seventh Avenue puts it within a walkable neighborhood of tree-lined streets anchored by a restored downtown with boutiques, cafés, and restaurants, as well as two commuter rail stations that connect residents to Chicago and beyond.
On state assessments in reading and math, Seventh Ave shows mixed but overall solid performance. In reading, third graders scored at a high level, and fifth graders achieved universal proficiency. Fourth- and sixth-graders showed proficiency rates in the low-to-mid range. Math results vary more dramatically by grade. Fifth graders performed exceptionally well, while third and fourth graders showed mid-to-high proficiency. Sixth grade math proficiency dipped notably lower. A single science test given in fifth grade showed proficiency around the midpoint. These grade-by-grade swings could reflect different cohorts and circumstances; a parent may want to ask the school about its approach to instruction across grades and any supports in place for students entering sixth grade, where both math and reading dip.
Among elementary schools across Cook County, Seventh Ave ranks in the top quartile for overall proficiency when measured across all tested subjects and grades, positioning it ahead of most district peers in the county.
The school operates within La Grange School District 105 South, which serves three communities: Countryside, Hodgkins, and southern La Grange proper. The district experienced a property-tax filing error in 2025 that temporarily overcharged homeowners and contributed to higher tax bills than intended. The district announced a tax levy adjustment the following year to offset the mistake plus compensate for lost interest. For families already in the district or considering a home purchase, the school-tax hit was a one-time bump with a planned remedy, though it does underscore the importance of understanding local property-tax mechanics when budgeting for a suburban home.
La Grange itself is undergoing modest growth. The village recently adopted a comprehensive plan designed to increase residential and commercial density near its two Metra stations and along transit corridors, allowing taller buildings and reducing parking requirements in certain zones. New condominiums and apartment buildings have been proposed or built, including a twenty-unit supportive housing facility for very low-income residents. The housing stock remains mostly single-family homes in the mid to upper price range, with a smaller number of condos concentrated downtown and in the southeast. The community has been engaged in planning discussions around affordable housing and transportation-oriented development.
Seventh Ave is a regular public school with no special magnet or charter designation. Enrollment data for individual special populations such as English learners or students with disabilities was not available, nor was information about the school's specific course offerings, staff size, or attendance rates. The school does not appear in Title I designation, suggesting its student population does not qualify for federal poverty-weighted resources, consistent with the relatively high-income suburb it serves.
For families seeking an elementary school in a historically rooted, walkable community with solid proficiency results and proximity to transit and downtown amenities, Seventh Ave sits on a neighborhood with measurable strengths. Parents interested in more detail about how the school supports students in sixth grade, given the academic dip visible in the data, or about the full range of programs and staffing available, would benefit from a direct conversation with the school.
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