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Very Good

#744 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 20% in state

Cornell Elem School

Elementary School · Cornell CCSD 426

300 N 7th St, Cornell, IL 61319

Enrollment

112

Student-Teacher

8.6:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois elementary schools

#489 of 2,326

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Cornell Elem School

Cornell Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of Cornell, Illinois, in Livingston County. Situated at 300 N 7th St, it serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade with an enrollment of just 112 students. The student-teacher ratio is 8.6:1, which allows for more personalized attention and support for each child.

Cornell Elem School has a dedicated team of 13 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to fostering a nurturing learning environment. With a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranking at #1895 in Illinois (placing it around the 50th percentile), there is room for academic growth and improvement. Academically, the school currently has an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 19% and a Math proficiency rate of 14%, indicating areas where further development can be beneficial.

Cornell Elem School is situated in a rural setting, offering students a peaceful and close-knit community atmosphere. The school focuses on providing a supportive educational environment that encourages student growth and development, with opportunities for personalized learning and teacher engagement.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 112 students, Cornell 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.

While current test scores at Cornell 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.6:1, Cornell Elem School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.49 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-18.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,990

Cornell Elem School — Students at Cornell Elem School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 14.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 18.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2022
ELA
22%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How Cornell Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
81th percentile in IL
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

300 N 7th St, Cornell, IL 61319

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cornell Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ransom Grade School (rated 8.3/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Ransom), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Graymont Elem School (rated 8.2/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Graymont), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Streator), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cornell, see our Cornell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Woodland High School Streator 6.7 mi 6.3
Woodland Elementary/Jr High Sch Streator 6.7 mi 7.5
Graymont Elem School Graymont 8.2 mi 8.2
Central Elem School Pontiac 9.1 mi 6.6
ST MARYS SCHOOL Pontiac 9.2 mi 6.8
Pontiac High School Pontiac 9.2 mi 6.0
Lincoln Elementary School Pontiac 9.6 mi 3.3
Pontiac Jr High School Pontiac 9.5 mi 5.1
Washington Elem School Pontiac 9.5 mi 6.9
GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pontiac 9.4 mi 6.2
ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Streator 10.2 mi 7.6
Streator Twp High School Streator 10.9 mi 5.3
Kimes Elem School Streator 10.7 mi 4.7
Flanagan Elem School Flanagan 10.7 mi 7.2
Flanagan-Cornell High School Flanagan 10.7 mi 6.6
Ransom Grade School Ransom 11.8 mi 8.3
Northlawn Jr High School Streator 11.5 mi 4.1
SALEM RANCH JR SR HIGH SCHOOL Flanagan 12.1 mi
Centennial Elem School Streator 12.6 mi 6.9
ST PAUL SCHOOL Odell 10.4 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61319 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,000

Median Home Value

$171,700

Median Rent

$855/mo

Population

1,188

College Educated

16.5%

Homeownership

89.9%

Avg Commute

29.6 min

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

52.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cornell Elem School has a median household income of $73,000. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,700, with a median rent of $855/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE SCHOOL Belleville, IL 7.5
Raymond Grade School Raymond, IL 7.5
VISITATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chicago, IL 7.5
EAST ORCHARD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Olney, IL 7.4
Emden Elementary School Emden, IL 7.6
HOLY FAMILY PARISH SCHOOL Peoria, IL 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cornell Elem School

What grades does Cornell Elem School serve?

Cornell Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Cornell Elem School?

Cornell Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 112 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Cornell Elem School is 8.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cornell Elem School rank in IL?

Cornell Elem School is ranked #744 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Cornell Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cornell Elem School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Cornell Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cornell Elem School has 14.5% math proficiency and 18.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cornell Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Cornell Elem School a Title I school?

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

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

30.4% of students at Cornell 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

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (185/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
112
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Livingston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cornell CCSD 426
District Enrollment
112
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,126
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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