Here's What Causes Elmhurst Residents to 'Bristle': Official

ELMHURST, IL – An Elmhurst School District 205 board member last week said many residents want to aim high when it comes to academic performance.

"I think a lot of people bristle when we talk about how we're above the national average because I think our community's expectations are far higher than that," member Jim Collins said at a school board meeting.

He said the district should set goals that far exceed national averages.

Whatever the state of the local schools, they would likely remain above the national average. Schools in wealthier towns nearly always perform better academically.

Elmhurst's median household income stands about $124,000, nearly double both the nation's and state's, which are $65,000 and $68,000 respectively, according to the U.S. Census.

Elmhurst's poverty rate is at 3.5 percent, compared with 11.5 percent nationally and 11 percent in Illinois.