Wayne Thomas Elementary School

Summary:

Wayne Thomas Elementary School is a high-performing public elementary school serving 381 students in grades K-5 in Highland Park, Illinois, which is part of the North Shore School District 112.

Wayne Thomas Elementary School consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in Illinois, earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's academic performance is significantly higher than the district and state averages, with 73.1% of students proficient or better in ELA and 66% proficient or better in math, compared to 58.5% and 51.5% for the district, and 41.2% and 28.4% for the state, respectively. The school also excels in serving diverse student populations, ranking among the top Illinois elementary schools for Hispanic, special education, and low-income students.

When compared to other North Shore School District 112 elementary schools, such as Sherwood Elementary, Red Oak Elementary, and Indian Trail Elementary, Wayne Thomas Elementary School outperforms them in academic achievement. However, when compared to schools in the neighboring Lake Forest School District 67 and Deerfield School District 109, the school's performance is generally on par or slightly lower, particularly in the upper elementary grades.


Detail:

Public K-5

 2939 Summit Ave
       Highland Park, IL  60035-1135


(224) 765-3900

District: North Shore School District 112

SchoolDigger Rank:
74th of 2,067 Illinois Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $22,843 Help


Students who attend Wayne Thomas Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Northwood Middle School
High:    Highland Park High School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.2 Help
Number of students:  381

Racial breakdown:

White:
75.6%
Hispanic:
12.9%
Two or more races:
4.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  20% Help


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 Compare Wayne Thomas Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Wayne Thomas Elementary School ranks better than 96.4% of elementary schools in Illinois. It also ranks 2nd among 7 ranked elementary schools in the North Shore School District 112. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 95.97. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Wayne Thomas Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the North Shore School District 112.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Wayne Thomas Elementary School is $22,843. 5 elementary schools in the North Shore School District 112 spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Wayne Thomas Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Wayne Thomas Elementary School 74th of 2067 Illinois public elementary schools. (See Wayne Thomas Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Disabled students:
Military Connected students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


North Shore School District 112:

SchoolDigger ranks North Shore School District 112 114th of 813 Illinois school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Wayne Thomas Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Wayne Thomas Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 82.60 261st 2020 87.1%
2004 85.10 175th 2030 91.4%
2005 82.01 247th 2022 87.8%
2006 83.32 164th 2086 92.1%
2007 81.58 228th 2095 89.1%
2008 84.52 160th 2092 92.4%
2009 82.42 249th 2120 88.3%
2010 81.70 271st 2139 87.3%
2011 79.32 387th 2147 82.0%
2012 74.01 584th 2166 73.0%
2013 78.70 437th 2167 79.8%
2014 73.71 539th 2093 74.2%
2015 74.14 451st 2052 78.0%
2016 78.01 405th 2046 80.2%
2017 65.72 638th 2044 68.8%
2018 60.51 751st 2037 63.1%
2019 67.16 631st 2086 69.8%
2021 79.00 353rd 1948 81.9%
2022 90.39 166th 2082 92.0%
2023 94.79 90th 2077 95.7%
2024 95.97 74th 2067 96.4%
See the entire list of Illinois Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Wayne Thomas Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 72.11 198th 1194 83.4%
2022 95.11 30th 1113 97.3%
2023 95.57 30th 1156 97.4%
2024 98.52 12th 1195 99.0%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Wayne Thomas Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 59.37 575th 1765 67.4%
2019 57.85 608th 1816 66.5%
2023 97.84 20th 1808 98.9%
2024 98.99 11th 1793 99.4%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Wayne Thomas Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 58.21 747th 1964 62.0%
2019 61.47 713th 2019 64.7%
2021 70.31 421st 1680 74.9%
2022 88.40 191st 1970 90.3%
2023 93.62 95th 1957 95.1%
2024 90.91 149th 1942 92.3%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Wayne Thomas Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 98.42 10th 886 98.9%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Military Connected students at Wayne Thomas Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 57.06 5th 11 54.5%
2023 67.34 5th 11 54.5%
2024 60.47 6th 13 53.8%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Military Connected Students!

Rank History for Male students at Wayne Thomas Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 61.24 688th 1972 65.1%
2019 70.32 525th 2019 74.0%
2021 81.43 232nd 1707 86.4%
2022 89.96 152nd 1977 92.3%
2023 93.59 92nd 1984 95.4%
2024 96.58 46th 1959 97.7%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Wayne Thomas Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 33.56 661st 955 30.8%
2023 97.05 15th 970 98.5%
2024 94.87 19th 959 98.0%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Wayne Thomas Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.52 908th 1463 37.9%
2019 63.96 477th 1462 67.4%
2021 66.68 376th 1308 71.3%
2022 78.40 225th 1425 84.2%
2023 86.08 136th 1419 90.4%
2024 92.61 47th 1392 96.6%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Illinois State Board of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Wayne Thomas Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Illinois State Board of Education

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Enrollment information for Wayne Thomas Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1994 366 19 33 16 0 n/a n/a 0 434
1995 410 20 26 8 2 n/a n/a 0 466
1996 410 20 26 8 2 n/a n/a 0 466
1997 395 19 17 9 2 n/a n/a 0 442
1998 383 12 15 7 1 n/a n/a 0 418
1999 369 6 13 4 1 n/a n/a 0 393
2000 384 11 12 4 1 n/a n/a 0 412
2001 403 14 16 4 0 n/a n/a 0 437
2002 365 15 8 5 0 n/a n/a 0 393
2003 365 15 8 5 0 n/a n/a 0 393
2004 353 11 8 2 0 n/a n/a 0 374
2005 334 10 12 5 0 n/a n/a 0 361
2006 309 10 8 5 0 n/a n/a 1 333
2007 312 7 7 6 0 n/a n/a 3 335
2008 308 3 7 7 0 n/a n/a 7 332
2009 308 15 9 11 2 n/a n/a 16 361
2010 315 21 9 14 0 n/a n/a 13 372
2011 288 18 10 23 1 0 10 0 350
2012 295 29 11 21 1 0 7 0 364
2013 280 24 10 26 1 0 6 0 347
2014 254 17 11 29 0 0 12 0 323
2015 255 11 9 33 0 0 11 0 319
2016 233 8 15 32 0 0 6 0 294
2017 225 7 12 26 1 0 9 0 280
2018 229 11 10 38 0 0 11 0 299
2019 238 14 12 48 0 0 12 0 324
2020 242 12 12 43 0 0 12 0 321
2021 236 12 12 50 0 0 21 0 331
2022 264 9 12 60 0 0 15 0 360
2023 288 9 15 49 1 1 18 0 381

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Wayne Thomas Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1994 434 23.9 18.2 n/a
1995 466 27.8 16.8 n/a
1996 466 27.8 16.8 n/a
1997 442 27.8 15.9 n/a
1998 418 27.8 15.0 n/a
1999 393 25.3 15.5 n/a
2000 412 26.2 15.7 n/a
2001 437 25.8 16.9 n/a
2002 393 26.4 14.9 0
2003 393 26.4 14.9 0
2004 374 24.9 15.0 0
2005 361 23.9 15.1 0
2006 333 23.9 13.9 0
2007 335 26.0 12.9 0
2008 332 21.0 15.8 0
2009 361 26.6 13.6 0
2010 372 27.4 13.5 0
2011 350 27.0 12.9 0
2012 364 28.0 13.0 7.4
2013 347 32.3 10.7 9.2
2014 323 26.0 12.4 9
2015 319 27.0 11.8 8.5
2016 294 26.0 11.3 11.9
2017 280 26.3 10.6 13.9
2018 299 27.2 10.9 14.7
2019 324 28.4 11.4 18.8
2020 321 28.3 11.3 21.2
2021 331 n/a n/a n/a
2022 360 30.0 12.0 20
2023 381 31.2 12.2 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Wayne Thomas Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1994 434 23.9 18.2 n/a
1995 466 27.8 16.8 n/a
1996 466 27.8 16.8 n/a
1997 442 27.8 15.9 n/a
1998 418 27.8 15.0 n/a
1999 393 25.3 15.5 n/a
2000 412 26.2 15.7 n/a
2001 437 25.8 16.9 n/a
2002 393 26.4 14.9 0
2003 393 26.4 14.9 0
2004 374 24.9 15.0 0
2005 361 23.9 15.1 0
2006 333 23.9 13.9 0
2007 335 26.0 12.9 0
2008 332 21.0 15.8 0
2009 361 26.6 13.6 0
2010 372 27.4 13.5 0
2011 350 27.0 12.9 0
2012 364 28.0 13.0 7.4
2013 347 32.3 10.7 9.2
2014 323 26.0 12.4 9
2015 319 27.0 11.8 8.5
2016 294 26.0 11.3 11.9
2017 280 26.3 10.6 13.9
2018 299 27.2 10.9 14.7
2019 324 28.4 11.4 18.8
2020 321 28.3 11.3 21.2
2021 331 n/a n/a n/a
2022 360 30.0 12.0 20
2023 381 31.2 12.2 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Immunization Rates

Wayne Thomas Elementary School

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Compare
YearPolioMeaslesMumpsRubellaVaricellaDTPHepatitis B
201599.7%99.4%99.4%99.4%99.1%99.4%
201699.3%98.6%98.6%98.6%98.6%99.3%
201798.2%98.2%98.2%98.2%98.2%98.2%
201897.7%97.7%97.7%97.7%98.1%97.4%
201998.5%98.5%98.5%98.5%98.5%98.5%
202199.7%99.7%99.7%99.7%99.7%99.7%99.7%
202297.9%97.6%97.6%97.6%97.6%97.9%97.3%
202397.0%97.6%97.6%97.6%97.0%97.0%76.3%
202498.6%98.6%98.6%98.6%98.6%98.6%96.8%

Data source: Illinois State Board of Education
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Wayne Thomas Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $325 (1.9%) $17,029 (98.1%) $17,354
2020 $543 (3.2%) $16,654 (96.8%) $17,196
2021 $1,040 (5.5%) $17,976 (94.5%) $19,016
2022 $1,040 (5.5%) $17,976 (94.5%) $19,016
2023 $870 (4.5%) $18,506 (95.5%) $19,376
2024 $530 (2.3%) $22,313 (97.7%) $22,843

Data source: Illinois Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Wayne Thomas Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 631st of 2086 Elementary schoolsRanks 90th of 2077 Elementary schools
 25.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Wayne Thomas Elementary School)31.967.2
 35.3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (North Shore School District 112)47.754.3
 6.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)36.428.8
 7.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Wayne Thomas Elementary School)43.568.8
 25.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Shore School District 112)59.158.5
 0.6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Illinois)40.633
 7.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Wayne Thomas Elementary School)54.473.2
 18.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (North Shore School District 112)58.558.8
 0.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)36.735.4
 1.3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Wayne Thomas Elementary School)55.960.6
 4.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Shore School District 112)57.851.1
 6.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Illinois)33.527.7
 5.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Wayne Thomas Elementary School)44.471.4
 27%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (North Shore School District 112)59.552.6
 6.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)37.935.2
 2.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Wayne Thomas Elementary School)41.357.1
 15.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (North Shore School District 112)52.252.1
 0.1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Illinois)29.825.6
 4.2%
5th Grade Science (Wayne Thomas Elementary School)55.671.2
 15.6%
   5th Grade Science (North Shore School District 112)71.165.8
 5.3%
   5th Grade Science (Illinois)54.452.4
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students324381
 17.6%
African American149
 35.7%
American Indian01
Asian1215
 25%
Hispanic4849
 2.1%
Pacific Islander01
White238288
 21%
Two or More Races1218
 50%


Schools Near Wayne Thomas Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Wayne Thomas Elementary School

Yes! Wayne Thomas Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 74th of 2067 Illinois elementary schools.

Students at Wayne Thomas Elementary School are 76% White, 13% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 4% Asian, 2% African American.

In the 2022-23 school year, 381 students attended Wayne Thomas Elementary School.

Students who attend Wayne Thomas Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Northwood Middle School
High : Highland Park High School


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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