Very Good
#689 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 18% in state
Central Elem School
Elementary School · Lincoln ESD 27
100 7th St, Lincoln, IL 62656
Enrollment
176
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
176
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lincoln
#3 of 8
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#451 of 2,326
In district
#2 of 5
Lincoln ESD 27
Academic performance
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Central Elem School
Central Elementary School serves 176 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Lincoln, Illinois, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranking #225 out of 3,819 Illinois schools, Central Elementary places in the 94th percentile statewide for academic achievement. The school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.7 to 1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.
Students demonstrate solid academic progress, with 47% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels. The school's strong academic score of 8.6 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence. Central Elementary operates as a regular public school, welcoming families from the surrounding Logan County community.
The school draws students from a diverse economic background, serving a neighborhood where the median household income is $57,379 and 18% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Located on 7th Street in the heart of Lincoln, Central Elementary is positioned within a close-knit town setting that fosters community connections and provides students with a supportive learning environment.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 176 students, Central Elem School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Central Elem School — Students at Central Elem School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46%
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: 6.5/10.
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 47% (2019) to 37% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
100 7th St, Lincoln, IL 62656
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Chester-East Lincoln Elem School (rated 7.7/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is West Lincoln-Broadwell Elem Sch (rated 7.6/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Emden Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Emden), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lincoln, see our Lincoln schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Jr High School Lincoln | 0.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Northwest Elem School Lincoln | 0.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Washington-Monroe Elem School Lincoln | 0.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Adams Elem School Lincoln | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Lincoln Comm High School Lincoln | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Chester-East Lincoln Elem School Lincoln | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| West Lincoln-Broadwell Elem Sch Lincoln | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Hartsburg-Emden Jr-Sr High School Hartsburg | 7.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Mount Pulaski High School Mount Pulaski | 10.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Mount Pulaski Elem School Mount Pulaski | 10.7 mi | 6.7 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL INC Mount Pulaski | 10.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Olympia South Elem Sch Atlanta | 10.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Emden Elementary School Emden | 11.9 mi | 7.6 |
| New Holland-Middletown Elem Sch Middletown | 12.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Williamsville Jr High School Williamsville | 16.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Williamsville High School Williamsville | 16.9 mi | 3.2 |
| Olympia High School Stanford | 18.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Olympia Middle School Stanford | 18.2 mi | 7.0 |
| CHRISTIAN LIFE ACADEMY Hopedale | 18.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Delavan High School Delavan | 17.7 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 62656 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,129
Median Home Value
$128,900
Median Rent
$807/mo
Population
18,364
College Educated
18.3%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
19.2 min
Poverty Rate
15.9%
Median Age
40.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elem School has a median household income of $59,129. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $128,900, with a median rent of $807/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Chalmers Elem Specialty School Chicago, IL | 7.6 |
| Dallas City Elem School Dallas City, IL | 7.6 |
| HOLY FAMILY PARISH SCHOOL Peoria, IL | 7.6 |
| Iroquois West Elem Sch/Thawville Thawville, IL | 7.6 |
| Jefferson Elem School Metropolis, IL | 7.6 |
| Lake Crest Elem School Oakland, IL | 7.6 |
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 5th.
How many students attend Central Elem School?
Central Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 176 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elem School is 11.7:1. 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 #689 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Central Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elem School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 42.0% math proficiency and 48.7% 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?
46.0% 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
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lincoln). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 176
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Logan County
- Phone
- (217) 732-3386
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lincoln ESD 27- District Enrollment
- 1,059
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,100
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
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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