Very Good
#790 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 21% in state
Bluford Grade School
Elementary School · Bluford Unit School District 318
901 6th St, Bluford, IL 62814
Enrollment
239
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
239
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bluford
#1 of 3
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#514 of 2,326
In district
#1 of 2
Bluford Unit School District 318
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Bluford Grade School
Bluford Grade School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural community of Bluford, Illinois. Serving students from preschool through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 239 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers. Bluford Grade School focuses on providing a supportive educational environment for its students.
The MySchoolScout rating reflects that there is room for academic growth, as the school ranks #1865 out of 3819 schools in Illinois and has an Academic Score of 5.5/10. In terms of proficiency scores, 27% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 17% are proficient or above in Math. Set amidst a rural backdrop, Bluford Grade School is deeply rooted in its community, offering students a nurturing and close-knit setting for their formative years.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Bluford Grade 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Bluford Grade School — Students at Bluford Grade School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.6/10.
How Bluford Grade School Compares
See how Bluford Grade School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
901 6th St, Bluford, IL 62814
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bluford Grade School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Spring Garden Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Mount Vernon), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Wayne City Attendance Center (rated 7.3/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Wayne City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Summersville Grade School (rated 7.2/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Mount Vernon), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bluford, see our Bluford schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 62814 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,159
Median Home Value
$108,100
Median Rent
$748/mo
Population
1,724
College Educated
13.8%
Homeownership
85.1%
Avg Commute
28.7 min
Poverty Rate
12.6%
Median Age
38.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bluford Grade School has a median household income of $62,159. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $108,100, with a median rent of $748/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Barnsdale Road School La Grange Park, IL | 7.4 |
| Bass Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.4 |
| Beidler Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.4 |
| Betsy Ross Elem School Prospect Heights, IL | 7.4 |
| Edgar A Poe Elem School Arlington Heights, IL | 7.4 |
| Eisenhower School South Holland, IL | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bluford Grade School
What grades does Bluford Grade School serve?
Bluford Grade School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Bluford Grade School?
Bluford Grade School has an enrollment of approximately 239 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bluford Grade School?
The student-teacher ratio at Bluford Grade School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bluford Grade School rank in IL?
Bluford Grade School is ranked #790 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Bluford Grade School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bluford Grade School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Bluford Grade School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bluford Grade School has 17.0% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bluford Grade School a charter school?
No, Bluford Grade School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bluford Grade School a Title I school?
No, Bluford Grade School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bluford Grade School?
39.7% of students at Bluford Grade 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 239
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Jefferson County
- Phone
- (618) 732-8242
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bluford Unit School District 318- District Enrollment
- 368
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,401
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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