Excellent
#334 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 9% in state
Jefferson Elem School
Elementary School · Ottawa ESD 141
1709 Columbus St, Ottawa, IL 61350
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ottawa
#4 of 9
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#237 of 2,326
In district
#2 of 5
Ottawa ESD 141
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Jefferson Elem School
Jefferson Elem School is a public elementary school in Ottawa, IL, part of the Ottawa ESD 141. The school serves approximately 306 students in grades Pre-K – 4th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 91.3th percentile among IL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 22% proficiency in math and 29% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $77,562, where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant town setting.
Score Breakdown
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Jefferson Elem School — Students at Jefferson Elem School score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.4%
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
→ 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: 9.4/10.
How Jefferson Elem School Compares
See how Jefferson Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
1709 Columbus St, Ottawa, IL 61350
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Jefferson Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Harding Grade School (rated 9.2/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Earlville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Rutland Elem School (rated 8.7/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, McKinley Elem School (rated 8.4/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ottawa, see our Ottawa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MARQUETTE ACADEMY Ottawa | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| MARQUETTE ACADEMY Ottawa | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Ottawa Township High School Ottawa | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Lincoln Elem School Ottawa | 1.1 mi | 3.8 |
| McKinley Elem School Ottawa | 2.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Shepherd Middle School Ottawa | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Central Intermediate School Ottawa | 2.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Wallace Elem School Ottawa | 4.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Rutland Elem School Ottawa | 5.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Grand Ridge School Grand Ridge | 8.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Marseilles Elementary School Marseilles | 7.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Deer Park C C Elem School Ottawa | 8.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Harding Grade School Earlville | 10.9 mi | 9.2 |
| Waltham Elementary School Utica | 8.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Serena High School Serena | 10.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Serena Middle School Serena | 10.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Centennial Elem School Streator | 14.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Milton Pope Elem School Marseilles | 11.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Northlawn Jr High School Streator | 15.2 mi | 4.1 |
| HOLY FAMILY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oglesby | 12.0 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61350 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,562
Median Home Value
$157,100
Median Rent
$940/mo
Population
23,999
College Educated
21.6%
Homeownership
73.3%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Median Age
42.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jefferson Elem School has a median household income of $77,562. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,100, with a median rent of $940/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| AVERY COONLEY SCHOOL Downers Grove, IL | 8.2 |
| Belle Aire Elem School Downers Grove, IL | 8.2 |
| Emmons Grade School Antioch, IL | 8.2 |
| Ewing-Northern Elem School Ewing, IL | 8.2 |
| Garfield Elem School Forest Park, IL | 8.2 |
| La Harpe Elementary School La Harpe, IL | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jefferson Elem School
What grades does Jefferson Elem School serve?
Jefferson Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Jefferson Elem School?
Jefferson Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 306 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elem School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Jefferson Elem School rank in IL?
Jefferson Elem School is ranked #334 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Jefferson Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Jefferson Elem School has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Jefferson Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson Elem School has 22.0% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Jefferson Elem School a charter school?
No, Jefferson Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Jefferson Elem School a Title I school?
No, Jefferson Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jefferson Elem School?
65.4% of students at Jefferson 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 (Ottawa). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 306
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- LaSalle County
- Phone
- (815) 434-0726
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ottawa ESD 141- District Enrollment
- 1,774
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,290
- 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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