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Below Average

#3299 of 3,813 schools in IL

C M Bardwell Elem School

Elementary School · Aurora East USD 131

550 S Lincoln Ave, Aurora, IL 60505

Enrollment

686

Student-Teacher

18.1:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Aurora

#38 of 45

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#1,961 of 2,326

In district

#15 of 18

Aurora East USD 131

About C M Bardwell Elem School

C M Bardwell Elementary School is a regular public school in Aurora, Illinois, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 686 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's needs. The setting is within a large suburban area, offering a mix of residential homes and nearby amenities.

C M Bardwell Elementary focuses on nurturing young learners in a supportive environment. While the current academic performance suggests there is room for improvement, the dedicated teachers work tirelessly to enhance student development and achievement. Students have access to various resources and programs designed to foster growth and creativity.

Located in Aurora, C M Bardwell Elementary School benefits from being part of a bustling suburban community that encourages family engagement and support for local schools.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at C M Bardwell Elem School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.4 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency6%
Expected (poverty-adj.)15%
vs. Expected-8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,003

C M Bardwell Elem School — Students at C M Bardwell Elem School score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 6.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 13.7%
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
10%
ELA
19%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
ELA
10%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How C M Bardwell Elem School Compares

See how C M Bardwell Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
14th percentile in IL
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

550 S Lincoln Ave, Aurora, IL 60505

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering C M Bardwell Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. N CAMPUS OF POPE ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC ACADEMY (rated 7.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Nicholson Elem School (rated 6.1/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Montgomery), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II CATH. ACADEMY-SOUTH CAMPUS Aurora 0.5 mi 5.0
Rose E Krug Elem School Aurora 0.9 mi 5.6
G N Dieterich Elem School Aurora 0.9 mi 4.2
K D Waldo Middle School Aurora 0.8 mi 5.5
HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Aurora 1.1 mi 6.9
Fred Rodgers Magnet Acad Aurora 1.2 mi 5.0
John Gates Elem School Aurora 1.0 mi 5.6
Greenman Elem School Aurora 1.4 mi 5.3
Nicholson Elem School Montgomery 1.3 mi 6.1
East High School Aurora 1.2 mi 5.7
L D Brady Elem School Aurora 1.4 mi 5.0
Hill Elem School Aurora 1.8 mi 4.7
W S Beaupre Elem School Aurora 1.5 mi 5.2
Edna Rollins Elem School Aurora 1.6 mi 5.0
N CAMPUS OF POPE ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC ACADEMY Aurora 2.0 mi 7.1
West Aurora High School Aurora 1.8 mi 7.3
McCleery Elem School Aurora 2.0 mi 5.4
Freeman Elem School Aurora 1.8 mi 4.1
Jefferson Middle School Aurora 2.0 mi 5.7
Long Beach Elem School Montgomery 2.4 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60505 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,306

Median Home Value

$192,500

Median Rent

$1,230/mo

Population

58,176

College Educated

13.2%

Homeownership

57.8%

Avg Commute

24.5 min

Poverty Rate

14.6%

Median Age

31.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding C M Bardwell Elem School has a median household income of $70,306. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,500, with a median rent of $1,230/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Argenta-Oreana Elementary School Oreana, IL 4.7
Brennemann Elem School Chicago, IL 4.7
Franklin Elem School Sterling, IL 4.7
Hill Elem School Aurora, IL 4.7
John Middleton Elem School Skokie, IL 4.7
Kimes Elem School Streator, IL 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about C M Bardwell Elem School

What grades does C M Bardwell Elem School serve?

C M Bardwell Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend C M Bardwell Elem School?

C M Bardwell Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 686 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at C M Bardwell Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at C M Bardwell Elem School is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does C M Bardwell Elem School rank in IL?

C M Bardwell Elem School is ranked #3299 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is C M Bardwell Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

C M Bardwell Elem School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 C M Bardwell Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, C M Bardwell Elem School has 6.3% math proficiency and 13.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is C M Bardwell Elem School a charter school?

No, C M Bardwell Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is C M Bardwell Elem School a Title I school?

No, C M Bardwell Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for C M Bardwell Elem School?

75.1% of students at C M Bardwell 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

City Safety
High (1,522/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
686
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
75.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Kane County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Aurora East USD 131
District Enrollment
12,260
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,690
District Rank
#15 of 18

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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