The top reported proficiency rate is 61% in Science. The lowest is 50% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on J W Riley Elem School
J W Riley Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Arlington Heights as a school of roughly midsize for its grade band, with a fairly stable enrollment that skews white and Asian, with smaller shares of Hispanic and Black students. The school sits within Wheeling CCSD 21, a district in the midst of significant change.
On state assessments, Riley shows a mixed academic picture. In third grade, math and English language arts proficiency both sit in the mid-to-upper range. By fourth grade, proficiency in both subjects declines noticeably, and fifth-grade math proficiency drops further. Fifth-grade ELA proficiency sits around the midpoint. Science proficiency in fifth grade is moderate. Across the tested grades, Riley's overall proficiency index places it above the midpoint among Cook County districts, but the downward trend from third to fifth grade is worth watching closely. A parent may want to discuss with the school what drives this pattern and what support structures exist for older elementary students.
The school feeds into a district managing significant transition. Most pressingly, Wheeling CCSD 21 launched a boundary-redrawing process in 2026 to address overcrowding at east-side schools, including redistricting for the first time in roughly two decades. Any approved changes would not take effect before the 2027-28 school year, but families should be aware that neighborhood school assignments could shift. At the same time, the district is investing heavily in facilities, with substantial construction and renovation projects underway following a bond referendum that funded air conditioning, security upgrades, and expansion of full-day kindergarten capacity. These improvements affect the learning environment Riley students will encounter.
Arlington Heights itself is a Chicago northwest suburb anchored by transit-oriented downtown redevelopment centered on the Metra station, where restaurants, boutique shops, and the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre cluster within walking distance. The broader village mixes a denser downtown with single-family residential neighborhoods that are more car-dependent. Major employers include Northwest Community Healthcare, Amazon, United Airlines, and others, anchoring a diversified job market. The village operates over fifty parks and recreation facilities through the Park District, and the Arlington Heights Memorial Library holds an 11-time Five Star designation. Growth is active, with mixed-use projects adding contemporary apartments and retail downtown, though the largest pending project, the redevelopment of the former Arlington Park racetrack by the Chicago Bears, remains uncertain in timing due to the team's stated interest in an alternative stadium location in Indiana.
Housing values in the area are above state benchmarks, with median home values in the mid-range and rents rising modestly year over year. The affordability calculation suggests that renting remains more accessible than purchasing for many households. The local market shows ample housing supply but moderate buyer demand relative to recent peaks.
Riley is not a specialized or magnet school; it is a regular elementary serving its neighborhood through a traditional curriculum. The data provided does not specify program offerings beyond the standard academic subjects, staffing levels, attendance patterns, or information on student support services, so those are areas a parent may want to explore directly with the school.
See more original research from School Decision →