Average
#2230 of 3,813 schools in IL
Central Elem School
Elementary School · Lewistown CUSD 97
15501 E Avenue L, Lewistown, IL 61542
Enrollment
333
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
333
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lewistown
#2 of 2
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,346 of 2,326
In district
#2 of 2
Lewistown CUSD 97
Academic growth
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Central Elem School
Central Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural community of Lewistown, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 333 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.8:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is quite remote, offering a tight-knit community feel where everyone knows each other.
Central Elem School’s MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.9 out of 10, reflecting its current academic performance as the 17th percentile among Illinois schools. Test scores indicate that 15% of students are proficient in ELA/reading and 14% are proficient in math, indicating areas for growth in student achievement. Central Elem School is situated in a rural area where community support plays an integral role in fostering a nurturing educational environment for young learners.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Central 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.
Located in a rural area, Central 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
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Central Elem School — Students at Central Elem School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.6%
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: 7.0/10.
How Central Elem School Compares
See how Central Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 12% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 12% (2022).
Location
15501 E Avenue L, Lewistown, IL 61542
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Astoria Elem School (rated 8.1/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Astoria), which scores notably higher. Another option is V I T Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Table Grove), which scores notably higher. Additionally, New Central Elem School (rated 6.3/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Havana), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Lewistown, see our Lewistown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lewistown Jr/Sr High School Lewistown | 1.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Cuba Middle School Cuba | 6.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Cuba Sr High School Cuba | 6.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Cuba Elem School Cuba | 7.7 mi | 5.6 |
| New Central Elem School Havana | 7.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Havana High School Havana | 8.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Havana Jr High School Havana | 8.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Westview Elementary School Canton | 13.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Canton High School Canton | 14.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Canton | 14.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Eastview Elementary School Canton | 14.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Ingersoll Middle School Canton | 14.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Astoria High School Astoria | 15.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Astoria Elem School Astoria | 15.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Astoria Junior High School Astoria | 15.1 mi | 7.2 |
| V I T Elementary School Table Grove | 14.2 mi | 7.8 |
| V I T Sr High School Table Grove | 14.2 mi | 6.7 |
| V I T Jr High School Table Grove | 14.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Spoon River Valley Jr High Sch London Mills | 21.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Spoon River Valley Sr High Sch London Mills | 21.9 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61542 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,529
Median Home Value
$115,100
Median Rent
$683/mo
Population
3,306
College Educated
21.2%
Homeownership
76.3%
Avg Commute
26.8 min
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Median Age
44.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elem School has a median household income of $65,529. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $115,100, with a median rent of $683/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Algonquin Lakes Elem Sch Algonquin, IL | 5.9 |
| Bushnell-Prairie City Elem Sch Bushnell, IL | 5.9 |
| Central Intermediate School Roxana, IL | 5.9 |
| Christopher House Chrt ES Chicago, IL | 5.9 |
| Conklin Elem School Rockford, IL | 5.9 |
| Dr Maude A Sanders Primary School Peoria, IL | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elem School
What grades does Central Elem School serve?
Central Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Central Elem School?
Central Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 333 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elem School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Elem School rank in IL?
Central Elem School is ranked #2230 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Central Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elem School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Central Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elem School has 14.5% math proficiency and 15.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Elem School a charter school?
No, Central Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Elem School a Title I school?
No, Central Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elem School?
55.6% of students at Central 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.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 333
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Fulton County
- Phone
- (309) 547-2231
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lewistown CUSD 97- District Enrollment
- 601
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,273
- 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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