Average
#2883 of 3,813 schools in IL
Locust Elem School
Elementary School · Marengo-Union E Cons D 165
539 Locust St, Marengo, IL 60152
Enrollment
538
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
538
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Marengo
#3 of 5
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,706 of 2,326
In district
#1 of 3
Marengo-Union E Cons D 165
Academic performance
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Locust Elem School
Locust Elem School in Marengo, Illinois, is a welcoming elementary school that serves students from pre-kindergarten through third grade. With an enrollment of 538 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, the school offers personalized attention and support for young learners. Located at 539 Locust St in McHenry County, it sits on the edge of an urban area, providing a unique blend of small-town charm and city conveniences.
Academically, Locust Elem School has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10, placing it at the 64th percentile among Illinois schools with a state ranking of #1367 out of 3819. In reading and ELA, 35% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 52% meet or exceed proficiency standards. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development to ensure continuous academic growth.
With its strong community presence and dedicated staff, Locust Elem School provides a solid foundation for early education in Marengo.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Locust Elem School — Students at Locust Elem School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.6%
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: 3.9/10.
How Locust Elem School Compares
See how Locust Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 47% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
539 Locust St, Marengo, IL 60152
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Locust Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Westwood Elem School (rated 8.4/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Woodstock), which scores notably higher. Another option is Riley Comm Cons School (rated 7.8/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Leggee Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Huntley), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Marengo, see our Marengo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Marengo Comm Middle School Marengo | 0.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Ulysses S Grant Intermediate Sch Marengo | 0.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Marengo High School Marengo | 0.6 mi | 7.4 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Marengo | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Riley Comm Cons School Marengo | 3.8 mi | 7.8 |
| NOTRE DAME ACADEMY Marengo | 5.1 mi | — |
| Westwood Elem School Woodstock | 7.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Leggee Elementary School Huntley | 8.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Huntley High School Huntley | 8.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Hampshire High School Hampshire | 9.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Olson Elementary School Woodstock | 8.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Creekside Middle School Woodstock | 8.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Prairiewood Elem Sch Woodstock | 8.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Hampshire Elem School Hampshire | 10.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Gary D Wright Elem Sch Hampshire | 9.9 mi | 3.7 |
| Woodstock High School Woodstock | 8.8 mi | 7.3 |
| ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hampshire | 10.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Hampshire Middle School Hampshire | 10.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Dean Street Elem School Woodstock | 8.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Crosby Elem Sch Harvard | 11.2 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60152 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$94,209
Median Home Value
$259,200
Median Rent
$1,090/mo
Population
12,006
College Educated
26.9%
Homeownership
79.3%
Avg Commute
30.9 min
Poverty Rate
9.7%
Median Age
37.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Locust Elem School has a median household income of $94,209. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,200, with a median rent of $1,090/month. The local poverty rate of 9.7% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Abe Lincoln Elem School Cicero, IL | 5.2 |
| Acero Chtr - Officer Marquez Elem Chicago, IL | 5.2 |
| Drexel Elem School Cicero, IL | 5.2 |
| Elmwood Elem School Naperville, IL | 5.2 |
| Forest Elem School Des Plaines, IL | 5.2 |
| George T Wilkins Elem School Justice, IL | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Locust Elem School
What grades does Locust Elem School serve?
Locust Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.
How many students attend Locust Elem School?
Locust Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 538 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Locust Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Locust Elem School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Locust Elem School rank in IL?
Locust Elem School is ranked #2883 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Locust Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Locust Elem School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Locust Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Locust Elem School has 52.0% math proficiency and 35.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Locust Elem School a charter school?
No, Locust Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Locust Elem School a Title I school?
No, Locust Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Locust Elem School?
57.6% of students at Locust 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (774/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Marengo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 3rd
- Enrollment
- 538
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- McHenry County
- Phone
- (815) 568-7632
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Marengo-Union E Cons D 165- District Enrollment
- 1,081
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,571
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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
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.