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Harper Elementary School

Summary:

Harper Elementary School is a highly-regarded public elementary school located in Wilmette, Illinois, serving 385 students in grades K-4. The school is part of the Wilmette School District 39, which is ranked 21 out of 813 school districts in the state and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Harper Elementary consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in Illinois, with a statewide ranking of 99 out of 2,067 schools in the 2023-2024 school year and a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts (75.7%) and Mathematics (59.5%) are significantly higher than the state averages of 41.2% and 28.4%, respectively. Harper Elementary's performance is also strong across different student subgroups, including female students, male students, white students, and students with special education needs. Additionally, the school maintains relatively low chronic absenteeism rates and spends significantly more per student ($20,248 in 2022-2023) compared to the state average.

When compared to nearby schools, Harper Elementary's academic performance is consistently higher than other schools within the Wilmette School District 39, such as Central Elementary, Romona Elementary, and McKenzie Elementary. The nearby schools, while also performing well above the state averages, generally have lower proficiency rates in ELA and Mathematics compared to Harper Elementary. The school's success can be attributed to a combination of factors, including its affluent student population, significant per-student spending, and the overall quality of the Wilmette School District 39.


Detail:

Public K-4

 1101 Dartmouth St
       Wilmette, IL  60091-1362

(847) 512-6200

District: Wilmette School District 39

SchoolDigger Rank:
99th of 2,067 Illinois Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $22,420 Help


Students who attend Harper Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Highcrest Middle School
    Wilmette Junior High School
High:    New Trier Township H S Winnetka

Student/teacher ratio:  13.5 Help
Number of students:  385

Racial breakdown:

White:
83.9%
Asian:
6.5%
Hispanic:
4.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  1.2% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Harper Elementary School ranks better than 95.2% of elementary schools in Illinois. It also ranks last among 4 ranked elementary schools in the Wilmette School District 39. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 95.37. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a 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 Harper Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Wilmette School District 39.  (See more...)
Teachers
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Harper Elementary School is $22,420, which is the 2nd highest among 4 elementary schools in the Wilmette School District 39.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Harper Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Harper Elementary School 99th of 2067 Illinois public elementary schools. (See Harper Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Wilmette School District 39:

SchoolDigger ranks Wilmette School District 39 21st of 813 Illinois school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Harper Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Harper Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 88.77 62nd 2020 96.9%
2004 87.77 89th 2030 95.6%
2005 87.25 66th 2022 96.7%
2006 82.16 210th 2086 89.9%
2007 87.32 29th 2095 98.6%
2008 88.08 41st 2092 98.0%
2009 87.63 63rd 2120 97.0%
2010 86.77 78th 2139 96.4%
2011 86.51 93rd 2147 95.7%
2012 88.00 45th 2166 97.9%
2013 94.35 22nd 2167 99.0%
2014 93.20 48th 2093 97.7%
2015 91.31 168th 2052 91.8%
2016 93.45 111th 2046 94.6%
2017 86.60 224th 2044 89.0%
2018 88.71 187th 2037 90.8%
2019 72.55 512th 2086 75.5%
2021 96.46 61st 1948 96.9%
2022 96.81 50th 2082 97.6%
2023 94.80 89th 2077 95.7%
2024 95.37 99th 2067 95.2%
See the entire list of Illinois Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Harper Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 93.29 19th 763 97.5%
2019 32.09 783rd 1194 34.4%
2021 87.54 44th 640 93.1%
2022 97.36 21st 1113 98.1%
2023 97.09 19th 1156 98.4%
2024 97.66 21st 1195 98.2%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Female students at Harper Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 86.42 202nd 1964 89.7%
2019 77.50 382nd 2019 81.1%
2021 91.47 95th 1680 94.3%
2022 97.14 31st 1970 98.4%
2023 94.14 84th 1957 95.7%
2024 94.05 89th 1942 95.4%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Harper Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 60.50 246th 907 72.9%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Harper Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 88.68 159th 1972 91.9%
2019 65.55 615th 2019 69.5%
2021 96.15 43rd 1707 97.5%
2022 95.26 62nd 1977 96.9%
2023 93.03 101st 1984 94.9%
2024 94.85 80th 1959 95.9%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Harper Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 75.48 289th 1463 80.2%
2019 55.38 636th 1462 56.5%
2021 89.11 85th 1308 93.5%
2022 89.23 82nd 1425 94.2%
2023 84.65 158th 1419 88.9%
2024 87.34 114th 1392 91.8%
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.

Harper Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Illinois State Board of Education

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Enrollment information for Harper Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 202 2 34 2 n/a n/a n/a 0 240
1990 211 2 35 5 n/a n/a n/a 0 253
1991 220 2 37 2 0 n/a n/a 0 261
1992 272 0 41 3 0 n/a n/a 0 316
1993 308 1 24 2 2 n/a n/a 0 337
1994 339 1 35 4 1 n/a n/a 0 380
1995 327 0 36 4 0 n/a n/a 0 367
1996 327 0 36 4 0 n/a n/a 0 367
1997 357 0 32 7 0 n/a n/a 0 396
1998 343 0 27 4 0 n/a n/a 0 374
1999 365 0 21 8 0 n/a n/a 0 394
2000 355 0 22 4 0 n/a n/a 0 381
2001 369 0 19 4 0 n/a n/a 0 392
2002 350 0 26 11 0 n/a n/a 0 387
2003 350 0 26 11 0 n/a n/a 0 387
2004 380 0 28 12 0 n/a n/a 0 420
2005 358 1 20 7 0 n/a n/a 1 387
2006 395 1 16 4 0 n/a n/a 2 418
2007 391 0 16 3 0 n/a n/a 29 439
2008 394 1 17 1 0 n/a n/a 31 444
2009 379 0 14 1 0 n/a n/a 26 420
2010 381 0 24 2 0 n/a n/a 22 429
2011 348 0 26 13 0 0 23 0 410
2012 330 1 27 17 0 0 18 0 393
2013 324 2 24 23 0 0 17 0 390
2014 331 4 24 21 0 0 19 0 399
2015 356 3 22 28 0 0 19 0 428
2016 355 2 25 27 0 1 17 0 427
2017 347 0 26 20 0 0 22 0 415
2018 338 1 22 22 0 0 28 0 411
2019 366 0 25 20 1 0 22 0 434
2020 351 0 22 18 0 0 25 0 416
2021 343 1 28 16 0 0 26 0 414
2022 348 1 28 21 0 0 27 0 425
2023 323 1 25 19 0 0 17 0 385

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 Harper Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 240 16.4 14.6 n/a
1990 253 16.9 14.9 n/a
1991 261 17.3 15.0 n/a
1992 316 20.2 15.6 n/a
1993 337 20.5 16.4 n/a
1994 380 20.1 18.9 n/a
1995 367 21.0 17.5 n/a
1996 367 21.0 17.5 n/a
1997 396 24.0 16.5 n/a
1998 374 24.2 15.5 n/a
1999 394 24.6 16.0 n/a
2000 381 27.6 13.8 n/a
2001 392 28.4 13.8 n/a
2002 387 28.3 13.7 0
2003 387 28.3 13.7 0
2004 420 28.0 15.0 0
2005 387 28.0 13.8 0
2006 418 30.8 13.6 0
2007 439 31.0 14.2 0
2008 444 27.0 16.4 0
2009 420 32.0 13.1 0
2010 429 31.5 13.6 0
2011 410 32.0 12.8 0
2012 393 28.7 13.6 1
2013 390 26.5 14.6 0.8
2014 399 25.2 15.8 1
2015 428 28.0 15.2 1.9
2016 427 27.0 15.8 1.6
2017 415 26.9 15.4 2.2
2018 411 29.0 14.1 2.2
2019 434 30.5 14.2 1.8
2020 416 32.1 12.9 1.2
2021 414 n/a n/a n/a
2022 425 29.5 14.4 1.2
2023 385 28.5 13.5 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 Harper Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 240 16.4 14.6 n/a
1990 253 16.9 14.9 n/a
1991 261 17.3 15.0 n/a
1992 316 20.2 15.6 n/a
1993 337 20.5 16.4 n/a
1994 380 20.1 18.9 n/a
1995 367 21.0 17.5 n/a
1996 367 21.0 17.5 n/a
1997 396 24.0 16.5 n/a
1998 374 24.2 15.5 n/a
1999 394 24.6 16.0 n/a
2000 381 27.6 13.8 n/a
2001 392 28.4 13.8 n/a
2002 387 28.3 13.7 0
2003 387 28.3 13.7 0
2004 420 28.0 15.0 0
2005 387 28.0 13.8 0
2006 418 30.8 13.6 0
2007 439 31.0 14.2 0
2008 444 27.0 16.4 0
2009 420 32.0 13.1 0
2010 429 31.5 13.6 0
2011 410 32.0 12.8 0
2012 393 28.7 13.6 1
2013 390 26.5 14.6 0.8
2014 399 25.2 15.8 1
2015 428 28.0 15.2 1.9
2016 427 27.0 15.8 1.6
2017 415 26.9 15.4 2.2
2018 411 29.0 14.1 2.2
2019 434 30.5 14.2 1.8
2020 416 32.1 12.9 1.2
2021 414 n/a n/a n/a
2022 425 29.5 14.4 1.2
2023 385 28.5 13.5 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

Harper Elementary School

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Compare
YearPolioMeaslesMumpsRubellaHepatitis BVaricellaDTPPneumococcal
201599.8%99.8%99.8%99.8%6.3%99.8%99.8%6.3%
2016100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
2017100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%99.3%100.0%
201898.8%99.0%99.0%99.0%98.8%99.3%
201999.1%99.3%99.3%99.3%99.3%99.3%
202199.5%99.5%99.5%99.5%97.8%99.0%99.5%
202299.5%99.3%99.3%99.3%99.5%99.0%99.5%
202399.5%99.2%99.2%99.2%98.9%99.5%
202499.7%99.5%99.5%99.5%98.3%99.2%99.7%

Data source: Illinois State Board of Education
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Harper Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $232 (1.4%) $15,811 (98.6%) $16,043
2020 $166 (0.9%) $17,353 (99.0%) $17,520
2021 $252 (1.3%) $18,478 (98.7%) $18,730
2022 $252 (1.3%) $18,478 (98.7%) $18,730
2023 $331 (1.6%) $19,917 (98.4%) $20,248
2024 $349 (1.6%) $22,072 (98.4%) $22,420

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Harper 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 512th of 2086 Elementary schoolsRanks 89th of 2077 Elementary schools
 20.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Harper Elementary School)3659
 23%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Wilmette School District 39)55.562.5
 7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)36.428.8
 7.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Harper Elementary School)54.662.4
 7.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Wilmette School District 39)65.767
 1.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Illinois)40.633
 7.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Harper Elementary School)48.471.4
 23%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Wilmette School District 39)66.577.8
 11.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)36.735.4
 1.3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Harper Elementary School)5558.3
 3.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Wilmette School District 39)70.664.1
 6.5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Illinois)33.527.7
 5.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students434385
 11.3%
African American01
American Indian10
 100%
Asian2525
Hispanic2019
 5%
Pacific Islander00
White366323
 11.7%
Two or More Races2217
 22.7%

Schools Near Harper Elementary School








Frequently Asked Questions about Harper Elementary School

Students who attend Harper Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Highcrest Middle School
Middle : Wilmette Junior High School
High : New Trier Township H S Winnetka

Students at Harper Elementary School are 84% White, 6% Asian, 5% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races.

Yes! Harper Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 99th of 2067 Illinois elementary schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 385 students attended Harper Elementary School.


Rate Harper Elementary 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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