The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in English language arts. The lowest is 24% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Lincoln Elem School
Lincoln Elementary serves grades preK through fifth in Brookfield, a residential Cook County suburb about thirteen miles west of downtown Chicago. The school sits within Lyons School District 103, a small district that has been experiencing sustained enrollment decline over the past several years.
The school's academic performance data shows proficiency levels across tested grades and subjects that fall in the bottom quartile among Cook County districts. In mathematics, proficiency ranges from the low to mid-range across third through fifth grades. English language arts proficiency is somewhat higher, particularly in fourth and fifth grades, where roughly four in ten students score at proficiency. In fifth-grade science, about one in three students reached proficiency. These results reflect a student population facing significant academic gaps. Student test participation was strong in the grades and subjects where data was reported, suggesting the numbers are representative of the student body rather than reflecting absences or opt-outs.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial white minority and smaller shares of Black and Asian students. The school draws from a mixed-income residential neighborhood; state data on free- and reduced-price lunch eligibility and counts were not available, so a parent would want to ask the school directly about the economic profile of families served. The school's enrollment is small, centered around a mix of ages from preK through fifth grade.
Brookfield itself is a moderately walkable commuter suburb with a compact downtown along the BNSF Metra rail line, anchored by Village Hall, local restaurants and coffee shops, and the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library. The broader area is dominated by the Brookfield Zoo as a major employer and civic draw. Housing values in the area are moderate for Cook County, and the housing market is characterized as tight, with home prices up year over year and inventory lean. Rental costs run roughly in line with mortgage affordability.
Within the district, the shift to ORIGO Stepping Stones as the K-5 math curriculum represents a pedagogical change that directly shapes how math is taught and how parents can support it at home. The district has provided parent resources including newsletters and a dedicated portal. The district is also managing a federal discrimination lawsuit against its former superintendent filed in 2024, with a judge denying dismissal in January 2024, meaning the litigation is ongoing and represents a governance and budget risk. District enrollment has declined meaningfully over the past two years, a trend that typically pressures per-pupil funding and can affect staffing and long-term building decisions.
A parent considering Lincoln Elementary should understand that this is a school serving a majority-Hispanic student population with academic proficiency levels well below county averages across the tested subjects. The school's small size within a declining district means fewer resources and program options than larger suburban elementary schools. Strengths include participation rates approaching full engagement and a moderate rent and housing market in the surrounding community. A parent would benefit from speaking directly with school leadership about support services, interventions, and family engagement structures, as well as the district's long-term plans given the enrollment trend.
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