Below Average
#3651 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
4.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
644
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Burlington
#2 of 2
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#2,203 of 2,326
In district
#6 of 7
Central CUSD 301
About Howard B Thomas Grade School
Howard B Thomas Grade School is an elementary school nestled in a rural area near the town of Burlington, Illinois. Serving students from pre-K through fifth grade, the school boasts an enrollment of 644 students and employs 39 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1. With a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranked 1695th out of 3819 schools across Illinois, Howard B Thomas Grade School focuses on supporting its students' academic development.
In ELA/Reading, 39% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, the proficiency rate is 34%. These scores indicate areas for growth but also reflect a commitment to student progress and improvement. The school's rural setting offers a close-knit community where students can thrive both academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Howard B Thomas Grade 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
22.4%
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: 2.9/10.
How Howard B Thomas Grade School Compares
See how Howard B Thomas Grade School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 24% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 37% (2022).
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. Ferson Creek School (rated 9.3/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Saint Charles), which scores notably higher. Another option is Corron Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby South Elgin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bell-Graham Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Saint Charles), 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 | 7.3 |
| Central Middle School Burlington | 0.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Lily Lake Grade School Maple Park | 4.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Cambridge Lakes Charter School Pingree Grove | 5.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Hampshire Middle School Hampshire | 5.8 mi | 4.1 |
| ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hampshire | 6.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Hampshire Elem School Hampshire | 6.1 mi | 3.2 |
| Country Trails Elem Elgin | 5.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Prairie View Grade School Elgin | 5.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Big Timber Elementary School Hampshire | 7.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Gary D Wright Elem Sch Hampshire | 7.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Hampshire High School Hampshire | 7.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Prairie Knolls Middle Sch Elgin | 5.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Wasco Elem School Wasco | 6.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Kaneland John Stewart Elem Sch Elburn | 8.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Bell-Graham Elementary School Saint Charles | 7.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Ferson Creek School Saint Charles | 7.5 mi | 9.3 |
| Corron Elementary School South Elgin | 7.3 mi | 8.8 |
| Otter Creek Elem School Elgin | 7.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Kaneland Blackberry Creek Elem Elburn | 9.7 mi | 8.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Howard B Thomas Grade School has a median household income of $81,528. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $304,000, with a median rent of $1,199/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.4%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elem School Belleville, IL | 4.0 |
| Anna McDonald Elem School Manhattan, IL | 4.0 |
| Ben-Gil Elementary School Gillespie, IL | 4.0 |
| Elmwood Elem School Elmwood Park, IL | 4.0 |
| Ledgewood Elem School Roscoe, IL | 4.0 |
| Parkview Elementary School Carpentersville, IL | 4.0 |
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 is ranked #3651 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Howard B Thomas Grade School's MySchoolScout rating?
Howard B Thomas Grade School has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Howard B Thomas Grade School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Howard B Thomas Grade School has 34.5% math proficiency and 38.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (56/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (847) 464-6008
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central CUSD 301- District Enrollment
- 4,940
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,741
- District Rank
- #6 of 7
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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