What does per-pupil spending include?

Per-pupil spending (operating expenditure per pupil) includes teacher and staff salaries, benefits, instructional materials, building maintenance, transportation, and administrative costs. It does not include capital construction or debt service payments.

Why do some districts spend more per pupil than others?

Spending differences reflect local property tax wealth, student population needs (special education and English learner services cost more), labor market conditions (suburban districts often pay higher salaries), building age and maintenance needs, and transportation costs for geographically larger districts.

What are the main revenue sources for school districts?

School districts receive funding from three main sources: local property taxes, state aid, and federal grants like Title I and IDEA. The exact mix varies significantly by district wealth and student demographics.

Harwood Heights, IL

CSAChicago-Naperville MSAChicago-Naperville-Elgin#146/341 Home Value

Select Your District

Your assigned district depends on your home address within town.

School Spending — 2025i

NCES

How your school districts spend money and where revenue comes from. Most funding comes from local property taxes (80.8%).

Maine Township HSD 207High School District · 6,197 students · $180.5M total budget

This district spends $27K per student to operate, of which $17K goes directly to classroom instruction.

Operating i

$27K/student

Instruction i

$17K/student

Revenue i

$32K/student

84.3% Local

5.8% Other Local

4.7% State

5.2% Federal

Norridge SD 80Elementary District · 1,103 students · $15.6M total budget

This district spends $12K per student to operate, of which $8K goes directly to classroom instruction.

Operating i

$12K/student

Instruction i

$8K/student

Revenue i

$14K/student

69.7% Local

7.3% Other Local

14% State

9% Federal

Ridgewood CHSD 234High School District · 965 students · $24.4M total budget

This district spends $23K per student to operate, of which $15K goes directly to classroom instruction.

Operating i

$23K/student

Instruction i

$15K/student

Revenue i

$26K/student

81.1% Local

8% Other Local

5.9% State

5% Federal

Union Ridge SD 86Elementary District · 651 students · $9.8M total budget

This district spends $14K per student to operate, of which $10K goes directly to classroom instruction.

Operating i

$14K/student

Instruction i

$10K/student

Revenue i

$16K/student

71.7% Local

6.6% Other Local

15.6% State

6.1% Federal

Pennoyer SD 79Elementary District · 419 students · $9.2M total budget

This district spends $14K per student to operate, of which $8K goes directly to classroom instruction.

Operating i

$14K/student

Instruction i

$8K/student

Revenue i

$18K/student

72.8% Local

11.3% Other Local

10.7% State

5.2% Federal