Needs Improvement
#3808 of 3,813 schools in IL
Carthage Primary School
Elementary School · Carthage ESD 317
210 S Adams St, Carthage, IL 62321
Enrollment
250
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
2.8
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
250
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
2.8
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Carthage
#3 of 3
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#2,322 of 2,326
In district
#2 of 2
Carthage ESD 317
About Carthage Primary School
Carthage Primary School is a charming elementary school located in the rural town of Carthage, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, the school has an enrollment of 250 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 20.8:1 with 12 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting offers a close-knit community feel, making it easy for families to connect and support each other.
Carthage Primary School focuses on providing a solid educational foundation for its young learners, though the academic performance scores indicate room for improvement. According to MySchoolScout ratings, the school is ranked 3311 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it at the 13th percentile overall and with an Academic Score of 5.5/10. In terms of proficiency rates, 35% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 27% meet or exceed expectations in Math.
While there is no specific neighborhood data available for Carthage Primary School, the school's setting within a remote rural area provides a unique and supportive environment for its students to grow and learn.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Carthage Primary School is 20.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Carthage Primary 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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Carthage Primary School — Students at Carthage Primary 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
38.4%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.8/10.
How Carthage Primary School Compares
See how Carthage Primary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
210 S Adams St, Carthage, IL 62321
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carthage Primary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. La Harpe Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby La Harpe), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dallas City Elem School (rated 7.6/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Dallas City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hawthorne Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Keokuk), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Carthage, see our Carthage schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Illini West High School Carthage | 0.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Carthage Middle School Carthage | 0.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Southeastern Elementary School Bowen | 13.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Hamilton Elementary School Hamilton | 10.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Dallas City Elem School Dallas City | 14.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Hamilton High School Hamilton | 11.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Nauvoo Elem School Nauvoo | 13.2 mi | 7.3 |
| La Harpe Elementary School La Harpe | 14.0 mi | 8.2 |
| George Washington Elementary School Keokuk | 13.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Torrence Elementary Keokuk | 13.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Keokuk Middle School Keokuk | 13.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Keokuk High School Keokuk | 13.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Hawthorne Elementary School Keokuk | 13.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Southeastern Jr/Sr High School Augusta | 16.4 mi | 5.3 |
| KEOKUK CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Keokuk | 14.2 mi | 7.0 |
| KEOKUK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Keokuk | 14.8 mi | 5.5 |
| STS PETER & PAUL Nauvoo | 16.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Fort Madison | 17.7 mi | 2.7 |
| Fort Madison High School Fort Madison | 18.2 mi | 4.5 |
| HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Fort Madison | 18.5 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 62321 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,859
Median Home Value
$120,600
Median Rent
$677/mo
Population
3,682
College Educated
33.3%
Homeownership
76.5%
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
50
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carthage Primary School has a median household income of $74,859. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,600, with a median rent of $677/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| South Fork Elementary School Kincaid, IL | 2.7 |
| C B Smith Elem School Pekin, IL | 2.9 |
| Harry E Fry School Burbank, IL | 2.9 |
| Whittier Primary School Peoria, IL | 2.9 |
| Hickory Bend Elem School Glenwood, IL | 3.0 |
| Whittier Elem School Harvey, IL | 3.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carthage Primary School
What grades does Carthage Primary School serve?
Carthage Primary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Carthage Primary School?
Carthage Primary School has an enrollment of approximately 250 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carthage Primary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Carthage Primary School is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carthage Primary School rank in IL?
Carthage Primary School is ranked #3808 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Carthage Primary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Carthage Primary School has a composite rating of 2.8 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 Carthage Primary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carthage Primary School has 27.0% math proficiency and 35.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carthage Primary School a charter school?
No, Carthage Primary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carthage Primary School a Title I school?
No, Carthage Primary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carthage Primary School?
38.4% of students at Carthage Primary 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (80/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 250
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Hancock County
- Phone
- (217) 357-9202
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Carthage ESD 317- District Enrollment
- 426
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,942
- District Rank
- #2 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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