The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in English language arts. The lowest is 19% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Village Elementary School
Village Elementary School serves grades 1 through 5 and sits within Round Lake CUSD 116, a district in north-central Lake County that spans four interconnected communities: Round Lake, Round Lake Park, Round Lake Beach, and Round Lake Heights. The school itself has experienced structural changes recently as part of a broader district reorganization, with a shift to a Partner School model effective fall 2024.
The enrollment stands at roughly three hundred students, reflecting the residential character of Round Lake, which has grown significantly in recent years. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with smaller shares of white, Black, and Asian students. The majority of the school's students come from lower-income families, though data on the exact proportion qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch was not available. The demographic composition mirrors the broader Round Lake area, which has developed as a family-oriented suburb with a diverse population and a median age of 37.
Academic performance measured by state assessments shows areas of concern. In mathematics, proficiency rates in tested grades (3, 4, and 5) range from quite low to moderate, with grade 5 showing the lowest attainment. English language arts proficiency is higher than math in grade 3 but still modest in grades 4 and 5. Science proficiency, measured in grade 5, sits in the lower-to-moderate range. Across tested grades and subjects, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Lake County. A parent may want to look into the school's specific support strategies for students not meeting grade-level standards, as well as any supplemental programs or interventions currently in place.
The school participates in the district's 1:Wonder Technology Program, which equips all K-12 students with iPads. This reflects a district-wide commitment to device integration in daily classroom work. The district has also adopted i-Ready for grades K-8 math beginning in the 2025-26 school year, a change that will shape the curriculum approach your child experiences.
Round Lake itself is a predominantly residential village founded as an ice-cutting industry town near its namesake lake, with a small commercial core anchored around the downtown Metra station. The area is accessible by rail and offers a commuting option to Chicago about thirty miles away. Most residential areas read as low-density suburban, though the village has undertaken downtown streetscape planning to increase walkability and community gathering space. The broader region's employment base centers on Lake County, home to significant concentrations of Fortune 500 headquarters in life science, advanced manufacturing, finance, and logistics sectors.
Housing in the area is moderately priced for the Chicago region, with recent median home values reflecting steady appreciation. Rentals are available and fall in the moderate range for the county. The housing market has shown some softening in recent months, with fewer active listings and slightly lower demand compared to earlier periods, though this remains a competitive market.
At the district level, families should be aware that Round Lake CUSD 116 experienced a substantial budget forecasting error in the 2024-25 school year, now being addressed through administrative position reductions and careful expense management over multiple years. This situation may affect staffing levels and class configurations as the district stabilizes its financial footing. The district's elementary model restructuring to a Partner School format represents a significant operational change worth understanding in detail before enrollment, as it determines which building students attend and how grade levels are organized within schools.
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