The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in English language arts. The lowest is 32% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Wesmere Elementary School
Wesmere Elementary is a school of about 570 students in kindergarten through fifth grade, located in Plainfield, a fast-growing suburb southwest of Chicago. The school sits within Plainfield SD 202, a district currently managing significant transitions in funding and capacity.
State test results from the most recent school year show proficiency rates that are below the midpoint among Will County districts. In mathematics, third-graders achieved proficiency at a rate in the low-to-mid range, with proficiency declining slightly as students moved to fourth grade and dropping more noticeably by fifth grade. English language arts results showed similar patterns, with third-grade proficiency in the low range, a rise in the fourth grade, and another rise in fifth grade—a trajectory that suggests variability across grade levels rather than steady momentum. In fifth-grade science, proficiency was also in the low-to-mid range. Participation in state testing was full across all tested grades.
The school's enrollment reflects the demographic diversity of Plainfield and the greater Chicago area. White students represent a plurality, followed by Hispanic students, Black students, and smaller populations of Asian and multiracial students. The student body skews toward mid-to-lower income, though specific free-or-reduced-price-lunch data was not available. The gender split, English learner identification, and special education enrollment rates were not disclosed in the school's available records.
Plainfield is experiencing rapid residential expansion, with substantial new home construction and multiple active residential developments underway. The housing market in the area shows typical suburban pricing, with median home values around the county level and rents in line with suburban expectations. The area is car-dependent outside of the downtown core; public transit exists but is limited to Pace bus service.
The district context matters significantly for families considering this school. Plainfield SD 202 has been reclassified from a higher to a lower state funding tier, which is expected to reduce annual state revenue by a substantial amount beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The district has publicly indicated that staffing and program reductions may follow. This is a multi-year pressure point worth understanding if you are evaluating the school's resources and what may change over the next few years.
A second district change to note: in December 2025, the school board approved high school attendance boundary shifts effective 2026-27 that will reassign students from ten residential subdivisions out of Plainfield North High School to address overcrowding. While this does not directly affect Wesmere's elementary students now, it signals rapid enrollment growth and reflects capacity strain that could eventually reach earlier grades. The district did launch a redesigned kindergarten model in fall 2025 with full-time paraprofessionals in every classroom, a staffing upgrade that represents a deliberate investment in the earliest grades despite the looming budget constraints.
Wesmere's test results suggest this school currently faces academic headwinds. A parent considering enrollment may want to look further into the school's instructional approach, any interventions underway to raise proficiency, and the school's trajectory over time. The combination of below-county-average test results and district-level budget pressure is worth weighing carefully against any other school characteristics or factors that might draw your family to this particular building.
See more original research from School Decision →