The top reported proficiency rate is 43% in Math. The lowest is 30% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on 21st Century Primary Center
21st Century Primary Center is a small elementary school in Park Forest, Illinois, serving kindergarten through third grade. The school enrolls a small group of students across four grade levels, with the largest group in third grade. The student body is predominantly Black, with a meaningful share of Hispanic students and a small number of multiracial students; the school serves no white students currently.
State assessment data is available only for third grade, where results show modest proficiency. In mathematics, about two in five third graders met or exceeded the state standard. In English language arts, proficiency was notably lower, with roughly three in ten third graders meeting or exceeding the standard. Fourth through eighth grade data is missing because this school does not serve those grades. The most recent assessment also saw changes to state cut scores, making year-to-year comparison difficult, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about progress over time.
Relative to the universe of districts in Cook County, 21st Century Primary Center's overall proficiency index sits below the county midpoint. The school's position among county peers reflects the early-grades focus: schools serving only K-3 typically have limited state testing data compared to schools with older students, so this comparison is anchored to a smaller set of tested schools.
The data available does not include free-or-reduced-price lunch rates, English learner enrollment, special education enrollment, attendance, discipline, or staffing specifics. The school's website was not provided, so parent inquiries about classroom composition, instructional approach, special programs, or recent changes would need to go directly to the school or the Park Forest SD 163 district office.
Park Forest itself is a planned post-war suburban community about 30 miles south of Chicago, built originally for middle-income families in the early 1950s. The village mixes early starter homes, converted cooperatives, scattered parks and schools, and a downtown anchored by a redeveloped shopping center. The area is car-dependent but residents describe it as peaceful and family-friendly, with above-average access to parks and recreational amenities. Housing values in the area are moderate, and the community maintains easy Metra commuter rail access to downtown Chicago. Current village development focuses on infill rather than sprawl, including an affordable housing project in the downtown. No major recent school district changes were confirmed in available sources, so the operating context appears stable.
For families considering this school, the key information gap is the actual instructional program, peer environment details, and recent year-to-year performance trends. The modest third-grade proficiency results should prompt direct conversation with school leadership about curriculum, support structures for students not yet proficient, and the school's plan for moving students forward. Because this is a small K-3 school without published program details, a visit and extended conversation with staff would be valuable before enrolling.
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