Is Henry Puffer School a good school?

Henry Puffer School ranks 406 th of 2067 Illinois elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Henry Puffer School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 288 students attended Henry Puffer School.

What is the racial makeup of Henry Puffer School?

Students at Henry Puffer School are 69% White, 12% Hispanic, 7% African American, 6% Two or more races, 6% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Henry Puffer School attend?

Students who attend Henry Puffer School usually go on to attend: Middle : Herrick Middle School High : Community High School District 99 - North High School

Henry Puffer School

Summary:

Henry Puffer School is an elementary school located in Downers Grove, Illinois, serving grades PK-6 with a student population of 288. It is part of the Downers Grove GSD 58 district, which is ranked 95 out of 813 districts in Illinois and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While the school's test scores are generally lower than the district and state averages, particularly in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, the school has experienced a significant increase in chronic absenteeism over the past few years, reaching 21.9% in the 2022-2023 school year. Additionally, Henry Puffer School has a higher percentage of low-socioeconomic status (SES) students compared to the district and state averages. When compared to other nearby schools within the Downers Grove GSD 58 district, such as Hillcrest Elementary School and Belle Aire Elementary School, Henry Puffer School generally underperforms, with lower test scores and higher chronic absenteeism rates.

The analysis of Henry Puffer School's data reveals that the school's performance varies across different student subgroups, with the school's female and white student populations performing relatively well, while the school's special education and low-SES student populations struggle, with lower rankings and proficiency rates compared to the district and state averages. Despite the school's higher spending per student compared to the district and state averages, its academic performance remains below the district and state averages, suggesting that factors beyond just funding may be contributing to the school's challenges.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

2220 Haddow Ave
Downers Grove, IL 60515-3211

(630) 968-0294

District: Downers Grove GSD 58

SchoolDigger Rank:
406^th of 2,067 Illinois Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $17,774

Students who attend Henry Puffer School usually attend:

Middle:	Herrick Middle School
High:	Community High School District 99 - North High School

Student/teacher ratio: 11.4

Number of students: 288

Racial breakdown:

White:

69.1%

Hispanic:

12.2%

African American:

6.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 21%

See top rated Illinois elementary schools

Compare Henry Puffer School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Henry Puffer School ranks better than 80.4% of elementary schools in Illinois. It also ranks 9^th among 11 ranked elementary schools in the Downers Grove GSD 58 School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 78.24. (See more...)

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

Compare Details Henry Puffer School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Downers Grove GSD 58 School District. (See more...)

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Teachers

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Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Henry Puffer School is $17,774, which is the 2^nd highest among 11 elementary schools in the Downers Grove GSD 58 School District.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Henry Puffer School:

SchoolDigger ranks Henry Puffer School 406^th of 2067 Illinois public elementary schools. (See Henry Puffer School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Female students:

Male students:

White students:

Downers Grove GSD 58:

SchoolDigger ranks Downers Grove GSD 58 95^th of 813 Illinois school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Henry Puffer School.

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Rank History for Henry Puffer School

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Rank History for all students at Henry Puffer School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2006	83.49	155^th	2086	92.6%
2007	82.34	196^th	2095	90.6%
2008	82.37	241^st	2092	88.5%
2009	70.45	718^th	2120	66.1%
2010	74.07	592^nd	2139	72.3%
2011	68.92	777^th	2147	63.8%
2012	72.13	654^th	2166	69.8%
2013	73.18	575^th	2167	73.5%
2014	60.25	871^st	2093	58.4%
2015	50.20	892^nd	2052	56.5%
2016	57.34	797^th	2046	61.0%
2017	71.55	536^th	2044	73.8%
2018	72.83	506^th	2037	75.2%
2019	78.93	376^th	2086	82.0%
2021	89.70	165^th	1948	91.5%
2022	83.40	313^th	2082	85.0%
2023	82.04	335^th	2077	83.9%
2024	78.24	406^th	2067	80.4%

See the entire list of Illinois Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Henry Puffer School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2021	45.91	302^nd	640	52.8%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Henry Puffer School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	46.05	899^th	1765	49.1%
2019	56.49	644^th	1816	64.5%
2021	51.78	592^nd	1514	60.9%
2022	64.93	435^th	1763	75.3%
2023	32.39	1246^th	1808	31.1%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Henry Puffer School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	72.07	493^rd	1964	74.9%
2019	77.80	372^nd	2019	81.6%
2021	91.43	96^th	1680	94.3%
2022	83.42	285^th	1970	85.5%
2023	86.69	212^th	1957	89.2%
2024	80.34	305^th	1942	84.3%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Henry Puffer School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	70.46	500^th	1972	74.6%
2019	77.77	370^th	2019	81.7%
2021	79.82	261^st	1707	84.7%
2022	79.62	342^nd	1977	82.7%
2023	72.72	465^th	1984	76.6%
2024	71.94	485^th	1959	75.2%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Henry Puffer School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	59.32	556^th	1463	62.0%
2019	71.53	342^nd	1462	76.6%
2021	86.19	115^th	1308	91.2%
2022	76.24	257^th	1425	82.0%
2023	71.31	327^th	1419	77.0%
2024	72.50	320^th	1392	77.0%

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.

Data source: Illinois State Board of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Thursday, November 2, 2017

Henry Puffer's caring staff always have their students needs foremost in their efforts. The staff goes above and beyond to give all students a wide variety of experiences (student council, clubs, sports, etc.) I am grateful that my sons attend a school that has such a rich diversity as Puffer does. I don't think this school and principal receives enough credit for everything they do for our students. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, January 23, 2017

I have had 7 years of students going through this school and can't say enough wonderful things. The caring teachers and staff, the supportive PTA, and the facilities are like a second family and home to my children. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Henry Puffer School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
2005	232	13	5	23	0	n/a	n/a	7	280
2006	257	10	9	23	0	n/a	n/a	7	306
2007	259	14	15	27	0	n/a	n/a	17	332
2008	269	9	13	35	0	n/a	n/a	20	346
2009	244	14	12	31	0	n/a	n/a	19	320
2010	260	15	10	31	0	n/a	n/a	19	335
2011	230	17	14	42	0	0	11	0	314
2012	268	19	15	53	1	0	21	0	377
2013	267	24	21	45	0	0	17	0	374
2014	253	24	21	54	0	0	23	0	375
2015	272	17	15	50	3	0	18	0	375
2016	282	18	18	58	1	0	16	0	393
2017	296	18	15	54	2	1	17	0	403
2018	301	9	14	55	3	0	16	0	398
2019	299	15	17	49	2	1	15	0	398
2020	298	14	21	45	2	0	14	0	394
2021	216	13	15	41	3	0	13	0	301
2022	227	15	17	39	1	0	15	0	314
2023	199	19	16	35	2	0	17	0	288

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 Henry Puffer School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2005	280	19.3	14.5	17.6
2006	306	14.8	20.7	13.7
2007	332	16.0	20.8	14
2008	346	16.0	21.6	14.4
2009	320	16.8	19.0	16.9
2010	335	17.8	18.8	14.6
2011	314	16.8	18.6	13.4
2012	377	16.6	22.5	13.5
2013	374	23.8	15.6	13.4
2014	375	18.0	20.8	16.3
2015	375	17.0	22.0	14.7
2016	393	20.0	19.6	18.3
2017	403	19.6	20.5	15.1
2018	398	22.3	17.8	18.1
2019	398	22.9	17.3	17.8
2020	394	22.5	17.5	16
2021	301	n/a	n/a	n/a
2022	314	24.6	12.7	21
2023	288	25.1	11.4	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 Henry Puffer School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2005	280	19.3	14.5	17.6
2006	306	14.8	20.7	13.7
2007	332	16.0	20.8	14
2008	346	16.0	21.6	14.4
2009	320	16.8	19.0	16.9
2010	335	17.8	18.8	14.6
2011	314	16.8	18.6	13.4
2012	377	16.6	22.5	13.5
2013	374	23.8	15.6	13.4
2014	375	18.0	20.8	16.3
2015	375	17.0	22.0	14.7
2016	393	20.0	19.6	18.3
2017	403	19.6	20.5	15.1
2018	398	22.3	17.8	18.1
2019	398	22.9	17.3	17.8
2020	394	22.5	17.5	16
2021	301	n/a	n/a	n/a
2022	314	24.6	12.7	21
2023	288	25.1	11.4	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.

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