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Average

#1905 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 50% in state

Centennial Elem School

Elementary School · Polo CUSD 222

308 S Pleasant Ave, Polo, IL 61064

Enrollment

297

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Polo

#2 of 3

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#1,171 of 2,326

In district

#2 of 3

Polo CUSD 222

Academic performance

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Centennial Elem School

Centennial Elem School is a regular public elementary school in Polo, Illinois, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 297 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1, Centennial Elem School offers personalized attention to help each child thrive. The school has 19 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment.

Centennial Elem School's academic performance shows areas for growth, with the MySchoolScout Rating at 5.7 out of 10 and ranking 1663 out of 3819 schools in Illinois. The school’s Academic Score is 7.6 out of 10, indicating room for improvement but also reflecting a commitment to student development. In ELA/Reading, 40% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 34% meet proficiency standards.

Centennial Elem School sits in a rural setting, offering a close-knit community where teachers and parents work together to support the educational journey of each child.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Centennial Elem 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 Progress6.0Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.86 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected+8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.7Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,573

Centennial Elem School — Students at Centennial Elem School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2022
ELA
42%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Centennial Elem School Compares

See how Centennial Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
50th percentile in IL
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

308 S Pleasant Ave, Polo, IL 61064

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Centennial Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Forreston Grade School (rated 7.1/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Forreston), which scores slightly higher. Another option is CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Sterling), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ST ANNE SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Dixon), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Polo, see our Polo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Aplington Middle School Polo 0.3 mi 8.6
Polo Comm High School Polo 0.3 mi 5.1
Forreston Grade School Forreston 9.7 mi 7.1
Forreston Jr/Sr High Sch Forreston 10.0 mi 4.8
ST ANNE SCHOOL Dixon 9.6 mi 6.6
Jefferson Elem School Dixon 9.8 mi 4.9
Dixon High School Dixon 10.3 mi 4.2
Washington Elem School Dixon 10.2 mi 4.4
ST MARY ELEMENTARY AND JR. HIGH Dixon 11.1 mi 5.9
Reagan Middle School Dixon 11.6 mi 5.9
Madison School Dixon 11.6 mi 6.0
Chadwick-Milledgeville Elem Sch Milledgeville 10.3 mi 5.6
Chadwick-Milledgeville Jr HS Milledgeville 10.3 mi 8.0
Franklin Elem School Sterling 13.1 mi 4.7
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sterling 13.2 mi 6.8
Jefferson Elem School Sterling 13.8 mi 4.8
Challand Middle School Sterling 13.8 mi 5.7
Lincoln Elem School Sterling 14.0 mi 4.8
Sterling High School Sterling 13.9 mi 5.6
NEWMAN CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Sterling 14.1 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61064 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,296

Median Home Value

$160,700

Median Rent

$799/mo

Population

3,891

College Educated

17.9%

Homeownership

67.9%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

14.2%

Median Age

43.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Centennial Elem School has a median household income of $71,296. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $160,700, with a median rent of $799/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.2%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Blackhawk Elem School Freeport, IL 6.3
Cherokee Elem School Lake Forest, IL 6.3
Costello School Lyons, IL 6.3
Finkl Elem School Chicago, IL 6.3
Golfview Elem School Carpentersville, IL 6.3
Heritage Lakes Elem School Carol Stream, IL 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Centennial Elem School

What grades does Centennial Elem School serve?

Centennial Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Centennial Elem School?

Centennial Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 297 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Centennial Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Centennial Elem School is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Centennial Elem School rank in IL?

Centennial Elem School is ranked #1905 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Centennial Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Centennial Elem School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Centennial Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Centennial Elem School has 34.5% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Centennial Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Centennial Elem School a Title I school?

No, Centennial Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Centennial Elem School?

50.8% of students at Centennial 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
Low (45/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Ogle County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Polo CUSD 222
District Enrollment
591
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,818
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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