The top reported proficiency rate is 66% in English language arts. The lowest is 51% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Walker Intermediate School
Walker Intermediate School serves two grade bands—fifth and sixth grade—within Summit Hill School District 161, located in Tinley Park. The school enrolls a mix of students, with a student body that is predominantly White, with meaningful representation across Hispanic, Black, and Asian communities. Specific counts for free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility and English learner populations were not available in the data.
On state assessments administered in the 2024-25 school year, the school shows a mixed picture. In English language arts, fifth graders reached proficiency at a rate in the upper range, while sixth graders posted strong results as well. Fifth-grade math proficiency came in at a moderate level, but sixth-grade math proficiency was considerably lower, suggesting a notable dip in mathematical readiness at that grade transition. Science proficiency in fifth grade sat in the middle range. Results for grades beyond sixth were not reported, consistent with the school's grade configuration. Test participation was near universal in all reported subjects. A parent may want to look into the sixth-grade math performance further with the school to understand what accounts for the decline from fifth grade and what supports exist.
When compared against other districts in Will County on overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades, Walker sits above the midpoint, indicating that the school's combined results position it in the stronger half of the county's schools. State assessment cut scores changed from prior years, so long-term trend comparison is not available.
The school sits in Tinley Park, a mixed-use suburb southwest of Chicago that combines a historic, walkable downtown core along Oak Park Avenue—built around two Metra commuter rail stations—with car-oriented subdivisions and commercial corridors radiating outward along the I-80 corridor. The town is actively redeveloping its downtown around music and entertainment with recent major projects including Harmony Square, a public plaza that opened in 2025, and the Boulevard at Central Station, a mixed-use development with apartments and retail. The village describes itself as one of the region's fastest-growing communities and is home to significant employers including Panduit, Comcast, and dozens of manufacturing, distribution, and service businesses.
Housing values in the area have risen at a moderate pace. The median home value sits modestly above the Illinois state benchmark and well below the national benchmark, making the market somewhat affordable for the region. Rental costs run lower than purchase prices would suggest on a monthly basis, though they remain a significant household expense. The real estate market in Will County shows balanced supply and demand, with active inventory and new listings stable.
The district itself has undergone significant structural change. In late 2023, the Summit Hill School District board voted to close two elementary schools—Arbury Hills in Mokena and Frankfort Square in Frankfort—due to declining enrollment. The closures took effect after the 2023-24 school year and reshaped attendance zones across Frankfort, Mokena, and Tinley Park. The decision sparked parent opposition, culminating in a November 2024 advisory referendum asking whether voters approved of closing the schools without reducing the property tax levy rate. In April 2025, a newly elected school board majority took office, including Patrick Oliphant, the parent who organized the referendum petition, signaling a potential shift in district direction. A prospective family should be aware that the district is navigating enrollment decline and that board governance changed recently.
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