Very Good
#1228 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 32% in state
Lorenzo R Smith Elem School
Elementary School · Pembroke CCSD 259
4120 S Wheeler Rd, Pembroke Township, IL 60958
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois elementary schools
#775 of 2,326
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Lorenzo R Smith Elem School
Lorenzo R Smith Elementary School is a regular public school located in the rural setting of Pembroke Township, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school provides a diverse range of educational opportunities with an enrollment of 199 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 15 full-time equivalent teachers.
The academic performance at Lorenzo R Smith Elementary School is currently rated as needing improvement according to MySchoolScout, with a ranking of 2206 out of 3819 schools in Illinois. The school's state rating places it around the 42nd percentile and its academic score stands at 2.2/10. In terms of subject proficiency, only 12% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 7% meet or exceed proficiency standards in Math.
While there is room for growth in academic performance, the school community focuses on student development and support. Lorenzo R Smith Elementary School serves a rural area where the tight-knit community provides a nurturing environment for its students to grow and learn.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 199 students, Lorenzo R Smith Elem School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Lorenzo R Smith Elem School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Lorenzo R Smith Elem 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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Data not available for this school
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Lorenzo R Smith Elem School — Students at Lorenzo R Smith Elem School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 10%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.4%
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: 7.6/10.
How Lorenzo R Smith Elem School Compares
See how Lorenzo R Smith Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 12% (2022).
Location
4120 S Wheeler Rd, Pembroke Township, IL 60958
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lorenzo R Smith Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Donovan Elem School (rated 8.4/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Donovan), which scores notably higher. Another option is St George Elem School (rated 7.1/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Bourbonnais), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mark Twain Primary School (rated 6.8/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Kankakee), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Pembroke Township, see our Pembroke Township schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Momence High School Momence | 7.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Momence Jr High School Momence | 7.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Je-Neir Elem School Momence | 7.8 mi | 6.6 |
| St Anne Elem School Saint Anne | 6.9 mi | 4.2 |
| St Anne Comm High School Saint Anne | 7.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Lake Village Elementary School Lake Village | 9.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Donovan Elem School Donovan | 12.3 mi | 8.4 |
| North Newton Jr-Sr High School Morocco | 9.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Donovan Jr High School Donovan | 12.5 mi | 9.1 |
| Donovan Sr High School Donovan | 12.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Grant Park Elem School Grant Park | 12.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Grant Park High School Grant Park | 12.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Morocco Elementary School Morocco | 11.5 mi | 4.9 |
| St George Elem School Bourbonnais | 12.6 mi | 7.1 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kankakee | 12.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Kankakee Junior High School Kankakee | 12.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Mark Twain Primary School Kankakee | 12.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Edison Primary School Kankakee | 12.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Lincoln Cltrl Ctr-Montessori Elem Kankakee | 13.3 mi | 4.6 |
| King Middle Grade School Kankakee | 13.3 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60958 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$35,074
Median Home Value
$78,100
Median Rent
$900/mo
Population
1,488
College Educated
11.7%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
39.5 min
Poverty Rate
15.3%
Median Age
46.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lorenzo R Smith Elem School has a median household income of $35,074. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $78,100, with a median rent of $900/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.3%. The average commute in the area is 40 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allendale Elementary School Allendale, IL | 7.0 |
| Bright Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.0 |
| Grand Ridge School Grand Ridge, IL | 7.0 |
| HOLY CROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mendota, IL | 7.0 |
| Henderson Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.0 |
| Jensen Elem Scholastic Academy Chicago, IL | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lorenzo R Smith Elem School
What grades does Lorenzo R Smith Elem School serve?
Lorenzo R Smith Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Lorenzo R Smith Elem School?
Lorenzo R Smith Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 199 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lorenzo R Smith Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lorenzo R Smith Elem School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lorenzo R Smith Elem School rank in IL?
Lorenzo R Smith Elem School is ranked #1228 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Lorenzo R Smith Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lorenzo R Smith Elem School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Lorenzo R Smith Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lorenzo R Smith Elem School has 7.3% math proficiency and 12.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lorenzo R Smith Elem School a charter school?
No, Lorenzo R Smith Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lorenzo R Smith Elem School a Title I school?
No, Lorenzo R Smith Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lorenzo R Smith Elem School?
85.4% of students at Lorenzo R Smith 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 199
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 85.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Kankakee County
- Phone
- (815) 944-5219
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pembroke CCSD 259- District Enrollment
- 199
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,880
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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