Oak Park Elementary SD 97 / Oak Park-River Forest High operates 11 schools (grades PK–08). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | Oak Park Elementary SD 97 / Oak Park-River Forest High | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 6,500 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 11 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $17,100/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Supervisory Union | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Above average |
About Oak Park Elementary SD 97 / Oak Park-River Forest High
Families in zip code 60302 (Oak Park, Illinois) are assigned to Oak Park Elementary SD 97 / Oak Park-River Forest High for public education through 8th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Oak Park Elementary SD 97 / Oak Park-River Forest High spends approximately $17,100 per student per year, placing it near the Illinois state average of approximately $17,000 and above the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Above-average spending generally translates to more instructional resources per student, stronger program variety at the middle and high school levels, and better-maintained facilities. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 11 schools serving grades Pre-K – 8th, Oak Park Elementary SD 97 / Oak Park-River Forest High qualifies as a large district serving students from Pre-K – 8th. The district enrolls approximately 6,500 students in total. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
With a rating of 8/10 (above average), Oak Park Elementary SD 97 / Oak Park-River Forest High ranks among Illinois’s above average-rated school systems. Our ratings are built from NCES Common Core of Data and measure structural factors: per-pupil expenditure, student-teacher ratio, enrollment stability, and school count. They do not incorporate test scores or graduation rates, which are not consistently available across all 13,500+ US districts in the NCES dataset.
Oak Park Elementary SD 97 / Oak Park-River Forest High earns an above-average rating, reflecting stronger-than-typical resource levels and stable enrollment trends for Illinois. Above-average districts generally offer solid program variety, adequate staffing, and a track record of organizational stability. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 60302
Children in zip code 60302 are assigned to Oak Park Elementary SD 97 / Oak Park-River Forest High for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 8th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 60302, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Oak Park Elementary SD 97 / Oak Park-River Forest High at (708)524-3000 or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Illinois districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Oak Park
For families considering a purchase in the Oak Park area, district assignment matters financially. Because Oak Park Elementary SD 97 / Oak Park-River Forest High serves zip code 60302, homes in and around zip code 60302 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Illinois, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Oak Park Elementary SD 97 / Oak Park-River Forest High programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 60302.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Oak Park Elementary SD 97 / Oak Park-River Forest High before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 60302 data.