The top reported proficiency rate is 79% in English language arts. The lowest is 62% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on George Washington Elem School
George Washington Elementary School is a regular public school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Park Ridge, Illinois, within the Park Ridge Community Consolidated School District 64. It sits on a campus environment rather than in the community's walkable downtown core, though the neighborhood itself is characterized by tree-lined residential streets and Victorian-era homes alongside newer development.
The school's enrollment is about a few hundred students distributed across the six grade levels it serves. The student body is predominantly white, with Hispanic students representing the largest minority group and Asian students also present in the enrollment. Income-level data on free or reduced-price lunch eligibility was not available in the school's records. The school serves students across all tested elementary grades, though the enrollment reflects a typical suburban elementary structure with slightly larger cohorts in the middle grades.
In math proficiency on the state's IAR assessment, third grade students performed quite strongly, with the vast majority meeting or exceeding standards. Fourth grade math proficiency dropped noticeably, then declined further by fifth grade, a pattern worth watching and potentially discussing with the school. In English language arts, third grade came in below math, but fourth grade recovered to near fourth-grade math levels, with fifth grade holding roughly similar ground. Science proficiency in fifth grade, assessed on the state's ISA exam, was notably lower than reading or math at that grade level.
Across all tested grades and subjects combined, George Washington's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among elementary schools in Cook County. The school's testing participation rates were high and near-universal. However, the data shows a decline in performance as students move through upper elementary grades, particularly evident in the drop from third to fifth grade math.
Park Ridge itself is a built-out residential suburb with a concentrated, walkable downtown anchored by the Metra station, the public library, and local retail and dining. The housing market is well-established, with median home values in the mid-range for the Chicago region and rents moderately priced for the area. The community is known for retaining small-town character despite its suburban density, with parks and civic life organized around the downtown Uptown district rather than scattered across separate municipal campuses. Healthcare, anchored by Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and its children's hospital campus, is the major local employer.
The district itself has been undergoing significant change. In November 2024, voters approved a substantial bond referendum to address facility needs across all seven schools, including updates to safety systems, mechanical infrastructure, classrooms, science labs, and accessibility. This multi-year capital program will fund lasting improvements but also affects future property tax obligations for residents. Additionally, the district moved to a new core mathematics curriculum, Eureka Math², in the 2022-23 school year. This districtwide shift from how math is taught has created ongoing parent feedback in the community, including reports from some families about difficulty understanding the new approach and challenges helping children at home with homework.
The contrast in performance across George Washington's grades, and particularly the science result, may warrant parent inquiry into what instructional supports or resources differ between grade levels. The school participates fully in state assessment and appears to maintain rigorous testing participation, which is a baseline expectation. A parent considering this school might explore with the school directly what they attribute to the performance trends in upper grades and what interventions or supports are in place for students who do not meet standards initially.
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