The top reported proficiency rate is 42% in English language arts. The lowest is 36% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Charles Reed Elementary Sch
Charles Reed Elementary is a school of about 600 students serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Plainfield, a rapidly growing suburb southwest of Chicago. The student body is diverse, with roughly equal shares of white, Hispanic, and Black students, plus smaller populations of Asian and multiracial children. The school's location in Kendall County places it in a region where housing values have risen modestly and are accessible compared to many Chicago exurbs, with rental availability at moderate levels for the area.
Academic performance across tested grades shows a consistent pattern. In mathematics, third and fifth graders post proficiency in the low-to-moderate range, with fourth graders slightly lower. English language arts is mixed: third grade is comparatively weaker, fourth grade shows some recovery, and fifth grade rises to a notably stronger level. Fifth-grade science proficiency sits in the low-to-moderate range as well. No test data exists for sixth through eighth grade because Charles Reed serves only through fifth; the grades above would transition to middle school elsewhere in the district.
When positioned against other schools in Kendall County, Charles Reed's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile, meaning other elementary schools in the county report notably higher rates across their tested subjects and grades. This suggests the school faces more academic challenge than the typical peer school nearby. A parent may want to look into this further with the school, particularly what strategies are in place to lift performance in the tested grades and which students are receiving targeted support.
Plainfield itself is one of the fastest-growing communities in Illinois. The village has a pedestrian-scaled historic downtown but is car-dependent outside that core, and new residential development has been occurring in subdivisions away from the historic center. Three school districts serve Plainfield, creating separate enrollment zones. Charles Reed falls within Plainfield School District 202, which recently earned a statewide "commendable" designation across all its schools and implemented a redesigned kindergarten model with full-time paraprofessionals in every classroom starting in fall 2025. However, the district faces a significant fiscal headwind: it was reclassified from a higher to a lower state funding tier, resulting in a substantial annual decrease in state revenue that the district has indicated may force staffing and program reductions beginning in the 2026-27 school year. For families considering the school, this signals potential pressure on class sizes, electives, and support services in the medium term.
The district also approved high school attendance boundary changes in December 2025 that will take effect for the 2026-27 school year to address overcrowding. While Charles Reed is elementary, families buying homes in certain affected subdivisions should be aware that their high school assignment may shift.
Housing in the area surrounding Charles Reed is moderately priced for the Chicago region, with recent year-over-year growth in home values and stable rental availability. The broader Will County market shows moderate supply, with some recent decline in new listings and rising prices. Plainfield Park District maintains numerous recreation facilities, and downtown amenities include Settlers' Park and pedestrian-oriented dining. Public transit exists via Pace bus routes from a park-and-ride facility; there is no Metra rail service in Plainfield itself.
The school's enrollment is stable at its current size. Demographic data on free-or-reduced-price-lunch eligibility was not available, making it unclear what share of families qualify for income-based assistance. Special education and English learner enrollments were also not reported, so a parent seeking that information should contact the school directly.
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