Orrington leads Evanston in U.S. News elementary rankings

Orrington Elementary School is Evanston's highest-ranked elementary school in the 2027 U.S. News Best Elementary Schools list, placing 94th in Illinois out of 1,360 ranked schools.

The K-5 school at 2636 Orrington Ave. earned an overall score of 93.16 out of 100, according to U.S. News. That puts it in the top 10% of all Illinois elementary schools, a distinction Orrington highlights on its website.

The rankings rely on 2023-2024 state assessment data. Half the formula measures raw test performance in math and reading. The other half factors in results relative to a school's socioeconomic makeup, according to the U.S. News methodology. Nationally, U.S. News ranked 46,713 elementary schools.

At Orrington, 59% of students scored at or above the proficient level in reading and 45% in math, according to U.S. News. Both figures exceed Illinois averages of 43% in reading and 37% in math. The school enrolls 225 students and has a 10:1 student-teacher ratio with 23 full-time teachers, all certified.

Dawes Elementary, at 440 Dodge Ave., ranked second among Evanston schools at No. 271 statewide with a score of 80.13 out of 100. Dawes posted 54% reading proficiency and 43% math proficiency. The school enrolls 298 students, 48% of whom are economically disadvantaged.

Dawes earned a separate distinction when it was named a 2026 Governor's Blue Ribbon School at a Tuesday, Oct. 20 ceremony, one of 24 schools statewide to receive the honor. The award recognized Dawes as an Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School.

"Dawes is a place where excellence and equity exist as one and we couldn't be more proud to receive the Governor's Blue Ribbon Award," Teresa Quinn, Dawes principal, said in a district statement about the designation.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Eric Witherspoon called the Blue Ribbon recognition a point of pride for the district, saying in the same statement that Dawes had shown what happens when schools focus on ensuring every student can succeed.

District 65 has 11 ranked elementary schools in the U.S. News list. The district's average reading proficiency stands at 51%, and math proficiency averages 46%.

The rankings arrive as District 65 works through a structural deficit reduction plan that has already included $20 million in reductions. The district is considering closing Dewey and Lincolnwood elementary schools as part of a third phase aimed at saving an additional $10 million to $15 million, according to district documents.