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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Overall Proficiency7%
Expected (poverty-adj.)10%
vs. Expected-2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,973

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

85.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 7.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 12.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
ELA
12%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.0/10
68th percentile in IL
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (204/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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