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Below Average

#3148 of 3,813 schools in IL

Ball Elementary School

Elementary School · Ball Chatham CUSD 5

1015 New City Rd, Chatham, IL 62629

Enrollment

609

Student-Teacher

17.9:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chatham

#4 of 6

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#1,862 of 2,326

In district

#4 of 6

Ball Chatham CUSD 5

About Ball Elementary School

Ball Elementary School in Chatham, Illinois, is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. With an enrollment of 609 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child’s learning needs. The dedicated faculty consists of 34 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their young scholars.

Academically, Ball Elementary School has a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks at #1969 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it around the 48th percentile statewide. The school's ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 34%, while math proficiency stands at 37%. These scores indicate areas where Ball Elementary School is focusing on student development and improvement.

Located in a rural area near Chatham, the school benefits from a close-knit community atmosphere that values education and supports its children.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Ball Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.7Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,944

Ball Elementary School — Students at Ball Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2022
ELA
32%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.2/10.

How Ball Elementary School Compares

See how Ball Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
18th percentile in IL
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
5.2/10
Above average
Environment
1.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

1015 New City Rd, Chatham, IL 62629

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ball Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Laketown Elem School (rated 6.5/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Springfield), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chatham Elem School (rated 5.8/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Harvard Park Elem School (rated 5.8/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Springfield), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chatham, see our Chatham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Glenwood Intermediate Sch Chatham 1.4 mi 5.6
Glenwood Middle School Chatham 1.7 mi 4.4
Glenwood High School Chatham 3.4 mi 5.4
Glenwood Elementary School Chatham 3.6 mi 4.6
Edwin A Lee Elementary School Springfield 4.7 mi 5.8
Hazel Dell Elem School Springfield 5.0 mi 4.8
Chatham Elem School Chatham 4.3 mi 5.8
Laketown Elem School Springfield 5.6 mi 6.5
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Springfield 5.7 mi
Southern View Elem School Springfield 5.9 mi 4.6
LITTLE FLOWER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Springfield 5.9 mi 4.8
Jefferson Middle School Springfield 6.2 mi 6.4
Pawnee Jr/Sr High Sch Pawnee 6.0 mi 5.9
Pawnee Grade School Pawnee 6.0 mi 4.8
Harvard Park Elem School Springfield 6.9 mi 5.8
Early Learning Center Springfield 7.1 mi 5.1
Black Hawk Elem School Springfield 7.1 mi 4.4
Springfield Southeast High Sch Springfield 7.4 mi 6.4
Springfield Ball Charter School Springfield 7.5 mi 4.9
Auburn Jr High at Divernon Divernon 7.5 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62629 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$106,373

Median Home Value

$232,000

Median Rent

$1,159/mo

Population

15,369

College Educated

50.3%

Homeownership

80.8%

Avg Commute

23.3 min

Poverty Rate

3.5%

Median Age

35.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ball Elementary School has a median household income of $106,373. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $232,000, with a median rent of $1,159/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Acero Chtr Network - Jovita Idar Chicago, IL 4.9
BLESSED SACRAMENT Springfield, IL 4.9
Bert H Fulton School Tinley Park, IL 4.9
Centennial School Bartlett, IL 4.9
Central School Lemont, IL 4.9
Charles Reed Elementary Sch Plainfield, IL 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ball Elementary School

What grades does Ball Elementary School serve?

Ball Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Ball Elementary School?

Ball Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 609 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ball Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ball Elementary School is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ball Elementary School rank in IL?

Ball Elementary School is ranked #3148 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Ball Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ball Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ball Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ball Elementary School has 37.0% math proficiency and 34.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ball Elementary School a charter school?

No, Ball Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ball Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Ball Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ball Elementary School?

24.3% of students at Ball Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (597/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chatham). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
609
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Sangamon County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ball Chatham CUSD 5
District Enrollment
4,631
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,231
District Rank
#4 of 6

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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