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Average

#2480 of 3,813 schools in IL

Howard B Thomas Grade School

Elementary School · Central CUSD 301

44W575 Plato Rd, Burlington, IL 60109

Enrollment

644

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#2,480 of 3,813

In Burlington

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#7 of 7

Central CUSD 301

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Howard B Thomas Grade School

5.5/10

Elementary School in Burlington · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Central High School

7.7/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Central Middle School

7.2/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Howard B Thomas Grade School

Howard B Thomas Grade School is a public elementary school in Burlington, IL, part of Central CUSD 301. Howard B Thomas Grade School serves approximately 644 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Howard B Thomas Grade School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,480 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Howard B Thomas Grade School show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • IL avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Howard B Thomas Grade School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.32 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency31% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,741
Chronic Absenteeism14.6%

Howard B Thomas Grade School — Students at Howard B Thomas Grade School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 55.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
36%
ELA
36%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
53%
2017
Math
40%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
45%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
45%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
24%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
32%
2022
ELA
37%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Howard B Thomas Grade School Compares

See how Howard B Thomas Grade School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
35th percentile in IL
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.6%

Location

44W575 Plato Rd, Burlington, IL 60109

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Howard B Thomas Grade School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bell-Graham Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Saint Charles), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ferson Creek School (rated 8.8/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Saint Charles), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Corron Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby South Elgin), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Burlington, see our Burlington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Central High School Burilngton 0.2 mi 7.7
Central Middle School Burlington 0.3 mi 7.2
Lily Lake Grade School Maple Park 4.5 mi 7.8
Cambridge Lakes Charter School Pingree Grove 5.4 mi 5.5
Hampshire Middle School Hampshire 5.8 mi 5.2
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hampshire 6.1 mi 6.7
Hampshire Elem School Hampshire 6.1 mi 4.2
Country Trails Elem Elgin 5.5 mi 6.7
Prairie View Grade School Elgin 5.3 mi 7.0
Big Timber Elementary School Hampshire 7.2 mi 7.2
Gary D Wright Elem Sch Hampshire 7.3 mi 5.7
Hampshire High School Hampshire 7.3 mi 7.6
Prairie Knolls Middle Sch Elgin 5.8 mi 7.3
Wasco Elem School Wasco 6.9 mi 7.4
Kaneland John Stewart Elem Sch Elburn 8.1 mi 5.3
Bell-Graham Elementary School Saint Charles 7.6 mi 8.8
Ferson Creek School Saint Charles 7.5 mi 8.8
Corron Elementary School South Elgin 7.3 mi 8.2
Otter Creek Elem School Elgin 7.2 mi 4.8
Kaneland Blackberry Creek Elem Elburn 9.7 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60109 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,528

Median Home Value

$304,000

Median Rent

$1,199/mo

Population

520

College Educated

26.2%

Homeownership

76.7%

Avg Commute

30.6 min

Poverty Rate

13.4%

Median Age

35.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Americana Elementary School Glendale Heights, IL 5.5
Arcola Elementary School Arcola, IL 5.5
Bartlett Elem School Bartlett, IL 5.5
Black Hawk Elem School Glendale Heights, IL 5.5
Brunson Math & Sci Specialty Elem Chicago, IL 5.5
Central School Lemont, IL 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Howard B Thomas Grade School

What grades does Howard B Thomas Grade School serve?

Howard B Thomas Grade School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Howard B Thomas Grade School?

Howard B Thomas Grade School has an enrollment of approximately 644 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Howard B Thomas Grade School?

The student-teacher ratio at Howard B Thomas Grade School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Howard B Thomas Grade School rank in IL?

Howard B Thomas Grade School ranks #2,480 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Howard B Thomas Grade School's MySchoolScout rating?

Howard B Thomas Grade School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Howard B Thomas Grade School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Howard B Thomas Grade School has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Howard B Thomas Grade School a charter school?

No, Howard B Thomas Grade School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Howard B Thomas Grade School a Title I school?

No, Howard B Thomas Grade School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Howard B Thomas Grade School?

22.4% of students at Howard B Thomas Grade 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
644
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Kane County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.6%

District

Central CUSD 301
District Enrollment
4,940
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,741
District Rank
#7 of 7

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