Elmhurst D205 Addresses Class Size Controversy

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst School District 205's top official on Tuesday addressed the debate over class sizes in local elementary schools, months after parents started expressing concern at school board meetings.

At Tuesday's meeting, nine parents spoke about class sizes at Edison, Jackson, Jefferson and Lincoln elementary schools.

During her regular report, Superintendent Keisha Campbell said conversations about class sizes started before the end of the school year and continued through the summer. She said determining class sizes is complex, involving many factors.

"We must be extremely careful when we consider the potential impact that a decision has on the system, not just an individual school or an individual grade level, but we're thinking about the school system as a whole," Campbell said.

Class sizes, she said, can vary within schools and across schools and levels.

She also pointed to growth in average test scores among students up to eighth grade. (High school scores, which she did not mention, have been a trouble spot.)

In the last year, she said, the district saw the greatest percentage of elementary and middle school students achieving both math and English language arts proficiency since the current standardized test was established seven years ago.

As for class sizes, though, Campbell said no changes would be made for the coming school year.

"Based on current enrollment figures, there are no additional classrooms planned beyond what is already in place at our elementary schools," the superintendent said.

While Campbell said dialogue on class sizes was important, the school board itself has stayed silent on the issue at its recent meetings.

Districtwide, Elmhurst's average class size was 24 in the 2023-24 school year, which is the latest data available. That compares with a statewide average of 21. Elmhurst's average class size has increased over the years. The district is among the wealthiest in Illinois.

Earlier in Tuesday's meeting, parents said larger class sizes affected students.

Parent Nadia Wetzel, who will have a second-grader at Lincoln next school year, said her daughter's class last year was 24 students, one of whom was so disruptive that it negatively impacted classmates.

"The classroom environment deteriorated so much that a pregnant teacher was let go, yet no changes were made to class size," Wetzel said.

Jackie Kohlhagen, who will have two students at Jefferson next year, said her daughter had 17 classmates in kindergarten, but 26 in second grade.

"To say this had a negative impact on her and her classmates is an understatement," Kohlhagen said. "It was all-consuming for the parents of those kids. It was a challenge we ended up taking on as parents."

It took parents hiring tutors and having at-home instruction to bridge the gap in the classroom, she said.

"I think it's pretty outrageous that a district with our resources and means is now having parents shoulder the burden in additional out-of-pocket expense of getting a tutor because the kids are frankly not getting what they need," Kohlhagen said. "This is not a problem that is going away."

Parent Heather Price, a special education teacher who will have two students at Edison, praised her children's teachers, but said they are not wizards. Her son had 26 students in his second-grade class last year.

"It was a really rough year with so many children in the room, and the teacher did her best," Price said. "I would really encourage you to focus on class sizes that kids need, so they feel like they are heard, that they are known and that they are safe in order to learn. I don't feel like that was happening, especially in my son's classroom last year."

Here is the written statement from Superintendent Keisha Campbell:

Over the past several months, our school and district leaders have engaged in thoughtful conversations with families regarding class configurations and enrollment for the upcoming school year. On behalf of the Board of Education and the District 205 administrative team, I want to thank all of our parents and community members who have taken the time to share their perspectives, ask questions, and participate in this important dialogue. Your partnership remains vital to our shared goal of providing a high-quality educational experience for every student while also upholding the deep value of our community school model in District 205.

Since January, our district and school leaders have been carefully reviewing current enrollment data, analyzing trends, and working collaboratively across departments to make staffing recommendations that reflect both student needs and available resources. Given the complexity of being a unit district, there are many factors taken into consideration to ensure that all decisions result in quality educational experiences beginning with our Mini Dukes through York and the Transition center. As a Unit District, our decisions and allocation of resources are distributed across five levels, Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, High School, and our Transition Center. Therefore, we must carefully consider the potential impact a decision has on the system as a whole, not just an individual school or grade level.

As a District made up of community schools, each school serves a unique neighborhood and community. Due to this, enrollment and class sizes may vary by school and grade level. Additionally, class sizes shift slightly as students progress through grade levels and families often have questions and concerns each year as students enter a grade with slightly larger class sizes. This long-standing practice helps ensure that we are allocating resources equitably and responsibly across all levels and programs. We continue to welcome all feedback and will always acknowledge and engage with families regarding their student’s experience.

Our experience and data shows that D205 students continue to grow and thrive when supported by strong educators, high-quality curriculum, and well-designed learning environments, even with class sizes varying across the District. In the 2024-2025 school year we saw the greatest percentage of students achieving both math and ELA proficiency since the IAR was established in 2018-19 and all K-8 schools met expected growth or better than projections on both math and ELA.

D205 also has a robust learning support system throughout our schools. Beyond our certified classroom teachers, we offer multi-tiered support services to meet the diverse academic and social-emotional needs of our students. These include reading and math specialists, EL educators, instructional coaches, REACH teachers, special education staff, social workers, and more working together to provide individualized support and care.

We want to let our parents and community know that we are committed to continuous improvement and regularly review our structures, systems, and practices to ensure they continue to align with best practice, research, and result in desired outcomes.

Based on current enrollment figures, there are no additional classrooms planned beyond what is already in place at our elementary schools. As we approach August and the first day of school, administration continues to analyze class lists, identify student needs, and review plans to support teachers and staff in providing a successful learning environment in every classroom throughout the District.

Thank you again for your engagement, your trust, and your partnership as we work together to ensure every student in Elmhurst 205 is supported, challenged, and empowered to succeed.