Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438
ESD 159 School District (2026) - Richton Park, IL

ESD 159 School District

20700 Matteson Ave
Matteson, IL 60443-1058
(District boundaries shown in map)
2/
10
Bottom 50%
For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public schools serving 1,653 students in ESD 159 School District. This district's average testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Illinois.
Public Schools in ESD 159 School District have an average math proficiency score of 9% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 23% (versus the 30% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (IL)
# Schools
5 Schools
4,394 Schools
# Students
1,653 Students
1,842,872 Students
# Teachers
130 Teachers
137,935 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

ESD 159 School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 861 school districts in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
This School District
State Average (IL)
#700 out of 865 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
9%
27%
23%
30%
41%
50%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.35
0.69
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
6%
% Hispanic
15%
29%
% Black
79%
16%
% White
2%
45%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
4%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $28,973 is higher than the state median of $22,455. The school district revenue/student has grown by 8% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $26,461 is higher than the state median of $21,692. The school district spending/student has grown by 16% over four school years.
This School District
This State (IL)
Total Revenue
$48 MM
$41,381 MM
Spending
$44 MM
$39,976 MM
Revenue / Student
$28,973
$22,455
Spending / Student
$26,461
$21,692

Best ESD 159 School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Neil Armstrong Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
5030 Imperial Dr
Richton Park, IL 60471
(708) 481-7424
Gr: PK-5 | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Woodgate Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
101 Central Ave
Matteson, IL 60443
(708) 720-1107
Gr: PK-5 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #33.
Marya Yates Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
6131 Allemong Dr
Matteson, IL 60443
(708) 720-1800
Gr: PK-5 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #44.
Colin Powell Middle School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
20600 Matteson Ave
Matteson, IL 60443
(708) 283-9600
Gr: 6-8 | 564 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #55.
Sieden Prairie Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
725 Notre Dame Dr
Matteson, IL 60443
(708) 720-2626
Gr: PK-5 | 279 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 96%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to ESD 159 School District?
ESD 159 School District manages 5 public schools serving 1,653 students.
What is the rank of ESD 159 School District?
ESD 159 School District is ranked #704 out of 861 school districts in Illinois (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year.
What is the racial composition of students in ESD 159 School District?
79% of ESD 159 School District students are Black, 15% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are White.
What is the student/teacher ratio of ESD 159 School District?
ESD 159 School District has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is lower than the Illinois state average of 14:1.
What is ESD 159 School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $26,461 is higher than the state median of $21,692. The school district spending/student has grown by 16% over four school years.

Recent Articles

Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 5 schools
  • Grades: PK-08
  • Enrollment: 1,653 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 98%
  • : Bottom 50% in IL
  • : 9% (Btm 50%)
  • : 23% (Btm 50%)
  • : 41% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

Quick Links