The top reported proficiency rate is 58% in Science. The lowest is 54% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Maercker Elem School
Maercker Elementary School serves grades three through five in Westmont, a mixed-use southwest Chicago suburb with a transit-oriented downtown core and a diverse, ethnically varied residential base. The school enrolls students across roughly equivalent class sizes in each grade.
On state assessments administered in the current school year, Maercker's proficiency picture shows a pattern of lower attainment in third grade and improving results as students move up. In third-grade math and English language arts, proficiency rates fall below half of students meeting the proficiency threshold. Fourth grade shows a notable step up in both subjects, with math proficiency moving above the midpoint and ELA proficiency climbing further. Fifth-grade results continue that upward trend, with both subjects posting results in the low-to-mid range for proficiency. In fifth-grade science, proficiency comes in below that level. Participation on these assessments is consistently high, suggesting results reflect actual achievement rather than testing gaps. Across all tested subjects and grades, Maercker's overall proficiency index places it below the midpoint when compared to other districts in DuPage County, its peer comparison universe.
The most straightforward read of these numbers is that this school's students face real academic challenges, particularly in the earlier grade band it serves. The consistent climb from third to fifth grade is worth noting—it suggests something about instruction or student support may be working better as students advance. At the same time, performance remains softer than the county median overall, and a parent may want to explore this directly with the school to understand what instructional approaches are in place, what supports exist for students not yet meeting standard, and whether the upward slope from third to fifth continues once students move into middle school.
The school's student body is diverse. Roughly two-fifths of students identify as white, with substantial populations of Asian and Hispanic students and a smaller but present Black population. Free-or-reduced-price lunch data was not available, so the economic profile of the enrollment is unclear from the data provided.
Westmont itself is characterized by active downtown redevelopment centered on its Metra station, with new mixed-use residential and dining projects underway. The community has a strong business presence, including the international headquarters of Ty Inc., and employment sectors for residents span health care, professional services, and retail. Housing values in the area are moderate for the Chicago region and have grown slightly year over year. The Westmont Park District operates 18 parks and civic amenities including Ty Warner Park, and the public library anchors community programming.
Maercker School District recently expanded early-childhood access by adding a tuition-free Preschool for All program in the current school year, offering forty new seats at the elementary level in addition to existing fee-based preschool, a move that expands early-entry pathways for district families. The district is a small, geographically contained K-5 elementary district serving its immediate residential community.
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