Average
#1744 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 46% in state
Chester Elem School
Elementary School · Chester CUSD 139
650 Opdyke St, Chester, IL 62233
Enrollment
637
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
637
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chester
#1 of 2
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,094 of 2,326
In district
#1 of 2
Chester CUSD 139
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Chester Elem School
Chester Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in the remote town of Chester, Illinois. With an enrollment of 637 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each child succeed. The dedicated faculty includes 47 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students' academic growth.
Chester Elem School serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, making it a comprehensive educational hub for the local community. While the school’s MySchoolScout rating is currently 5.2 out of 10 and its state ranking is #2084 out of 3819 schools in Illinois (placing it around the 46th percentile), the school continues to focus on developing strong foundational skills, with an emphasis on ELA/reading proficiency at 38% and math proficiency at 14%. The setting of Chester Elem School is deeply rooted within its close-knit community, where students benefit from a supportive environment that fosters both academic and social development.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Chester Elem School — Students at Chester Elem School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.8%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.2/10.
How Chester Elem School Compares
See how Chester Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 16% (2019) to 12% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 34% (2022).
Location
650 Opdyke St, Chester, IL 62233
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Chester Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PERRYVILLE ELEM. (rated 7.4/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Perryville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Steeleville Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Steeleville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, STE. GENEVIEVE ELEM. (rated 6.9/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Ste Genevieve), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chester, see our Chester schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST MARYS SCHOOL Chester | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chester | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Chester High School Chester | 1.0 mi | 2.8 |
| Steeleville High School Steeleville | 10.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Steeleville Elem School Steeleville | 11.0 mi | 7.2 |
| ST MARKS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Steeleville | 11.1 mi | 5.7 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Perryville | 12.9 mi | 5.5 |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL JR/SR SCHOOLS Perryville | 13.0 mi | 4.7 |
| PERRYVILLE SR. HIGH Perryville | 13.1 mi | 4.4 |
| PERRYVILLE PRIMARY CENTER Perryville | 13.1 mi | 6.4 |
| PERRY CO. MIDDLE Perryville | 13.1 mi | 4.3 |
| PERRYVILLE ELEM. Perryville | 13.2 mi | 7.4 |
| CHRIST OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Evansville | 13.8 mi | — |
| Evansville Attendance Center Evansville | 14.3 mi | 3.6 |
| VALLE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Sainte Genevieve | 13.5 mi | 6.4 |
| STE. GENEVIEVE MIDDLE Ste Genevieve | 13.7 mi | 7.2 |
| STE. GENEVIEVE SR. HIGH Ste Genevieve | 13.8 mi | 6.5 |
| STE. GENEVIEVE ELEM. Ste Genevieve | 13.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Sparta High School Sparta | 16.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Sparta Lincoln School Sparta | 17.0 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 62233 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,333
Median Home Value
$111,500
Median Rent
$645/mo
Population
8,233
College Educated
8.6%
Homeownership
77.3%
Avg Commute
21.4 min
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Median Age
44
Community Profile
The community surrounding Chester Elem School has a median household income of $78,333. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,500, with a median rent of $645/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| ARIE CROWN HEBREW DAY SCHOOL Skokie, IL | 6.4 |
| Bradley East Elem School Bradley, IL | 6.4 |
| Central Primary Sch Washington, IL | 6.4 |
| Christopher Elem School Christopher, IL | 6.4 |
| Dr Preston L Williams Jr Elem Sch Urbana, IL | 6.4 |
| Kolmar Elem School Midlothian, IL | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Chester Elem School
What grades does Chester Elem School serve?
Chester Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Chester Elem School?
Chester Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 637 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Chester Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Chester Elem School is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Chester Elem School rank in IL?
Chester Elem School is ranked #1744 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Chester Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Chester Elem School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Chester Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chester Elem School has 14.0% math proficiency and 38.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Chester Elem School a charter school?
No, Chester Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Chester Elem School a Title I school?
No, Chester Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chester Elem School?
54.8% of students at Chester 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
- City Safety
- Average (313/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chester). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 637
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Randolph County
- Phone
- (618) 826-2354
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chester CUSD 139- District Enrollment
- 968
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,256
- District Rank
- #1 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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