Skip to main content

Very Good

#1121 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 29% in state

Jefferson Elem School

Elementary School · Ottawa ESD 141

1709 Columbus St, Ottawa, IL 61350

Enrollment

306

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#1,121 of 3,813

In Ottawa

#2 of 9

public schools

In district

#2 of 5

Ottawa ESD 141

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Jefferson Elem School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Jefferson Elem School

7.2/10

Elementary School in Ottawa · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Marquette Academy

5.0/10

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

Ottawa Township High School

5.4/10

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

About Jefferson Elem School

Jefferson Elem School is a public elementary school in Ottawa, IL, part of Ottawa ESD 141. Jefferson Elem School serves approximately 306 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Jefferson Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,121 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Jefferson Elem School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.7
  • IL avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.67 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)19% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,290
Chronic Absenteeism22.9%

Jefferson Elem School — Students at Jefferson Elem School score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0% (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
72%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2022
ELA
27%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Jefferson Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
71th percentile in IL
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
6.9/10
Average
Environment
7.8/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.9%

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. Grand Ridge School (rated 8.3/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Grand Ridge), which scores notably higher. Another option is McKinley Elem School (rated 7.3/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Harding Grade School (rated 7.0/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Earlville), 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 5.4
Lincoln Elem School Ottawa 1.1 mi 5.6
McKinley Elem School Ottawa 2.2 mi 7.3
Shepherd Middle School Ottawa 2.4 mi 6.2
Central Intermediate School Ottawa 2.5 mi 5.3
Wallace Elem School Ottawa 4.3 mi 6.3
Rutland Elem School Ottawa 5.7 mi 6.3
Grand Ridge School Grand Ridge 8.3 mi 8.3
Marseilles Elementary School Marseilles 7.8 mi 4.7
Deer Park C C Elem School Ottawa 8.7 mi 4.3
Harding Grade School Earlville 10.9 mi 7.0
Waltham Elementary School Utica 8.7 mi 6.9
Serena High School Serena 10.7 mi 6.5
Serena Middle School Serena 10.7 mi 8.3
Centennial Elem School Streator 14.3 mi 4.4
Milton Pope Elem School Marseilles 11.1 mi 5.8
Northlawn Jr High School Streator 15.2 mi 3.5
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alice Gustafson Elem School Batavia, IL 7.2
Butterfield Elem School Lombard, IL 7.2
Carlinville Primary School Carlinville, IL 7.2
Carlyle Elementary School Carlyle, IL 7.2
Chippewa Elem School Palos Heights, IL 7.2
Columbus Elem School Edwardsville, IL 7.2

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 ranks #1,121 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Jefferson Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Jefferson Elem School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Jefferson Elem School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
81 Very Walkable
Bike Score
67 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.9%

District

Ottawa ESD 141
District Enrollment
1,774
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,290
District Rank
#2 of 5

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.