At a glance
Reported students
589
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
40.5
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
14.5:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
KG–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Illinois elementary enrollment
87th percentile
Compared with 2,323 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
575
Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary: 589 reported students.
State peer staffing position
73rd percentile
14.5:1 reported; state peer median 13.1:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 590
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50.4
- Student–teacher ratio
- 11.7:1
What the reported data says about Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary
Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades KG–05 in Naperville. It is one of 34 current school records connected to Indian Prairie CUSD 204. NCES reports 589 students for 2024–25.
Among 2,323 elementary schools in Illinois with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 365 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 87th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 14.5:1, above the Illinois median of 13.1:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Asian (41.1%) and White (23.6%). English learners represent 33.7% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 9.8%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary
- 1How do the reported 14.5:1 student–teacher ratio and 40.5 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 0 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 33.7%
- Students with disabilities
- 9.8%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 24.8%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- Social workers (FTE)
- 1
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White23.6%
- Hispanic17.7%
- Black12.6%
- Asian41.1%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.7%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial4.4%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Indian Prairie CUSD 204
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Owen Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
577 reported students
Arlene Welch Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
576 reported students
Nancy Young Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
574 reported students
Oliver Julian Kendall Elem School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
572 reported students
Danielle-Joy Peterson Elem Sch
Elementary · Grades KG–05
570 reported students
Spring Brook Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
569 reported students
Public schools near Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| May Watts Elementary School Elementary · Indian Prairie CUSD 204 | KG–05 | 668 | 0.9 mi |
| Owen Elementary School Elementary · Indian Prairie CUSD 204 | KG–05 | 577 | 2.3 mi |
| Arlene Welch Elementary School Elementary · Indian Prairie CUSD 204 | KG–05 | 576 | 2.3 mi |
| White Eagle Elementary Elementary · Indian Prairie CUSD 204 | KG–05 | 541 | 2.4 mi |
| Elmwood Elem School Elementary · Naperville CUSD 203 | KG–05 | 726 | 2.4 mi |
| McCarty Elementary School Elementary · Indian Prairie CUSD 204 | KG–05 | 478 | 2.5 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary
What grades does Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary serve?
Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary reports grades KG–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Indian Prairie CUSD 204.
How many students attend Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary?
Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary reported 589 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 87th percentile among 2,323 Illinois elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 590 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary?
The calculated ratio is 14.5:1, based on 589 students and 40.5 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Illinois median for the same school level is 13.1:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary a public, charter, or magnet school?
Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Indian Prairie CUSD 204 attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
24.8% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary in?
Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary is part of Indian Prairie CUSD 204, based in Aurora, IL, which operates 34 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include May Watts Elementary School (0.9 mi), Owen Elementary School (2.3 mi), Arlene Welch Elementary School (2.3 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.