Washington-McKinley Elem Sch vs Lincoln Elem School
Lincoln Elem School has a higher overall rating of 7.0/10 compared to 6.3/10. Washington-McKinley Elem Sch is significantly larger with 279 students, about 3.2× the size of Lincoln Elem School (86). In math proficiency, Lincoln Elem School leads at 34.5%.
Attendance data is under correction. A public school's existing Resources & Environment score and overall rating shown here may still reflect an unverified attendance input.
Washington-McKinley Elem Sch
Chicago Heights, IL
279 students
Lincoln Elem School
Chicago Heights, IL
86 students
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| Metric | Washington-McKinley Elem Sch | Lincoln Elem School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 6.3 / 10 | 7.0 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 6.8 | 8.4 |
| Growth Score | 6.2 | 6.2 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 98.9% | 96.5% |
| Environment Score | 5.8 | 7.1 |
| State Rank | #2,000 of 3,814 | #1,401 of 3,814 |
| State Percentile | 48th | 63th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Washington-McKinley Elem Sch | Lincoln Elem School |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 10.0% | 34.5% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 21.0% | 34.5% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Washington-McKinley Elem Sch | Lincoln Elem School |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Pre-K – 5th | Pre-K – 5th |
| Enrollment | 279 | 86 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 11.2:1 | 8.6:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 98.9% | 96.5% |
| District | Chicago Heights SD 170 | Chicago Heights SD 170 |
| City | Chicago Heights | Chicago Heights |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Chicago Heights (60411) | Chicago Heights (60411) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,627 | $56,627 |
| Median Home Value | $148,200 | $148,200 |
| Median Rent | $1,156 | $1,156 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 22.4% | 22.4% |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 22.3% |
| Avg Commute | 36 min | 36 min |
The data story: Washington-McKinley Elem Sch vs Lincoln Elem School
Lincoln Elem School and Washington-McKinley Elem Sch sit 0.6 miles apart in Chicago Heights, Illinois, yet carry a meaningful rating gap: Lincoln Elem School scores 8.8/10 against Washington-McKinley Elem Sch's 8.0/10 — a 0.8-point difference. That gap translates directly into state rank: Lincoln Elem School places #155 of 3,813 Illinois schools, putting it in the top 5% statewide, while Washington-McKinley Elem Sch ranks #465 of 3,813, still a strong top-13% finish but a significant step down.
The sharpest divide between the two schools is academic proficiency. Lincoln Elem School earns a 9.2/10 academic score versus Washington-McKinley Elem Sch's 7.1/10 — a 2.1-point gap that reflects a concrete difference in tested achievement. Growth tells a different story: both schools are nearly identical here, with Lincoln Elem School at 9.5/10 and Washington-McKinley Elem Sch at 9.4/10. That near-parity on growth means Washington-McKinley is advancing students at roughly the same rate as Lincoln; the academic gap reflects where students start and currently test, not how quickly the school moves them forward.
Both schools serve similarly high-need populations: Lincoln Elem School reports 96% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, and Washington-McKinley Elem Sch comes in at 99% — a negligible difference that places both firmly in high-poverty contexts. The structural difference is size and staffing. Lincoln Elem School enrolls 86 students with an 8.6:1 student-teacher ratio, while Washington-McKinley Elem Sch serves 279 students at an 11.2:1 ratio. Lincoln's smaller enrollment means fewer than 90 kids share the building, and each teacher carries roughly three fewer students on average.
Both schools cover the same grade span — PK through 5 — so families do not gain or lose any grade-level access by choosing one over the other. The decision comes down to academic track record versus school size and community scale. Lincoln Elem School's top-5% state rank and 2.1-point academic score advantage are hard data points in its favor; Washington-McKinley Elem Sch's larger enrollment may offer a broader peer community and comparable growth performance at a school three times the size.
Editorial summary generated May 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Washington-McKinley Elem Sch
Lincoln Elem School fits families who prioritize tested academic achievement and a small-school environment. With 86 students and an 8.6:1 student-teacher ratio, kids get more direct adult attention. The 9.2/10 academic score and top-5% state rank make it the stronger pick for parents where current proficiency levels are the primary decision driver.
Lincoln Elem School
Washington-McKinley Elem Sch suits families who want their child in a larger peer community — 279 students versus 86 — while still landing in a top-13% Illinois school with near-identical growth performance. The 9.4/10 growth score signals strong momentum, making it a solid fit for families where trajectory matters as much as current achievement levels.