Another Elmhurst School With Class Size Concerns

ELMHURST, IL – Jackson Elementary on Elmhurst's southwest side is among the local schools where parents have expressed concern about class sizes.

The other schools at issue are Edison and Lincoln elementary schools.

In May, Cara McDyer, a Jackson parent, spoke about the decision to offer three third-grade classes next year at Jackson, down from four. That also happened at Lincoln. Such moves mean bigger class sizes, with as many as 27 students, parents say.

Citing her experience as a teacher, McDyer said third grade is important.

"The big difference is that instead of learning how to read, they're reading to learn," McDyer said. "And it's concerning to have very big class sizes, where the teacher can't reach everyone the way that they would like to."

McDyer said she was also concerned about how teachers would handle behavior management and help students with special education plans. She referred to the classrooms as small.

"They're really not made for that many kids," she said.

Patch has not found any public statements from the district in response to parental concerns about class sizes.

Elmhurst's average class size has increased over the years.

A petition has been circulating among Elmhurst parents about the class size issue.

Here are average class sizes at Elmhurst's elementary schools in the 2023-24 year (the latest state data available):

Source: Illinois Report Card