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Average

#2786 of 3,813 schools in IL

Bernard J Ward Elem School

Elementary School · Valley View CUSD 365U

200 Recreation Dr, Bolingbrook, IL 60440

Enrollment

375

Student-Teacher

11:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#2,786 of 3,813

In Bolingbrook

#13 of 14

public schools

In district

#18 of 20

Valley View CUSD 365U

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Bernard J Ward Elem School

5.2/10

Elementary School in Bolingbrook · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Midwest Christian Montessori Academy

6.7/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

St Dominic Elementary School

6.3/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bernard J Ward Elem School

Bernard J Ward Elem School is a public elementary school in Bolingbrook, IL, part of Valley View CUSD 365U. Bernard J Ward Elem School serves approximately 375 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11:1 student-teacher ratio. Bernard J Ward Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,786 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Bernard J Ward Elem School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 5.2 · Average
  • District avg 6.1
  • IL avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

38% of students at Bernard J Ward Elem School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)14% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,208
Chronic Absenteeism38.4%

Bernard J Ward Elem School — Students at Bernard J Ward Elem School score 14% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
83%
ELA
56%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
60%
2011
Math
89%
ELA
71%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
55%
ELA
44%
2014
Math
16%
ELA
14%
2015
Math
19%
ELA
11%
2016
Math
26%
ELA
13%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
15%
2018
Math
14%
ELA
10%
2019
Math
14%
ELA
10%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2022
ELA
17%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Bernard J Ward Elem School Compares

See how Bernard J Ward Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
27th percentile in IL
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.4%

Location

200 Recreation Dr, Bolingbrook, IL 60440

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bernard J Ward Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. John L Sipley Elem School (rated 8.1/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Woodridge), which scores notably higher. Another option is William F Murphy Elem School (rated 8.0/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Woodridge), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Robert C Hill Elem School (rated 7.7/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Romeoville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bolingbrook, see our Bolingbrook schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
MIDWEST CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI ACADEMY Bolingbrook 0.4 mi 6.7
ST DOMINIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bolingbrook 0.5 mi 6.3
John R Tibbott Elem School Bolingbrook 0.9 mi 7.4
Jonas E Salk Elem School Bolingbrook 1.3 mi 7.2
Hubert H Humphrey Middle School Bolingbrook 1.4 mi 6.8
Wood View Elem School Bolingbrook 1.7 mi 5.2
Brooks Middle School Bolingbrook 1.4 mi 8.1
Oak View Elem School Bolingbrook 1.6 mi 4.6
Bolingbrook High School Bolingbrook 1.7 mi 8.0
Independence Elem School Bolingbrook 2.1 mi 6.5
ST ALPHONSUS/ST PATRICK SCHOOL Lemont 2.2 mi 5.2
John L Sipley Elem School Woodridge 3.0 mi 8.1
Dr. James Mitchem Erly Chldhd Ctr Romeoville 2.8 mi 7.4
Edgewood Elem School Woodridge 3.4 mi 6.5
Robert C Hill Elem School Romeoville 3.3 mi 7.7
Jane Addams Middle School Bolingbrook 2.7 mi 8.9
ST SCHOLASTICA PARISH SCHOOL Woodridge 3.7 mi 7.3
William F Murphy Elem School Woodridge 3.7 mi 8.0
ST ANDREW THE APOSTLE Romeoville 3.5 mi 6.4
Jamie McGee Elementary School Bolingbrook 3.0 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60440 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,120

Median Home Value

$262,100

Median Rent

$1,648/mo

Population

52,074

College Educated

31.1%

Homeownership

75.1%

Avg Commute

27.7 min

Poverty Rate

9.3%

Median Age

37.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Annawan Grade School Annawan, IL 5.2
Bass Elem School Chicago, IL 5.2
Canterbury Elem School Crystal Lake, IL 5.2
Centennial Elem School Plano, IL 5.2
Clearview Elem School Waukegan, IL 5.2
Clifford P Carlson Elem School Rockford, IL 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bernard J Ward Elem School

What grades does Bernard J Ward Elem School serve?

Bernard J Ward Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Bernard J Ward Elem School?

Bernard J Ward Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 375 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bernard J Ward Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bernard J Ward Elem School is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bernard J Ward Elem School rank in IL?

Bernard J Ward Elem School ranks #2,786 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Bernard J Ward Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bernard J Ward Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bernard J Ward Elem School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bernard J Ward Elem School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Bernard J Ward Elem School a charter school?

No, Bernard J Ward Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bernard J Ward Elem School a Title I school?

No, Bernard J Ward Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bernard J Ward Elem School?

77.9% of students at Bernard J Ward Elem 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

Walk Score
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Will County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.4%

District

Valley View CUSD 365U
District Enrollment
14,847
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,208
District Rank
#18 of 20

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