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Very Good

#1249 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 33% in state

Nelson Prairie School

Elementary School · New Lenox SD 122

2366 Nelson Rd, New Lenox, IL 60451

Enrollment

383

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

7.0

Grades

1st – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#1,249 of 3,813

In New Lenox

#6 of 14

public schools

In district

#4 of 12

New Lenox SD 122

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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Nelson Prairie School

7.0/10

Elementary School in New Lenox · grades 1st – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Nelson Ridge School

7.0/10

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

La Petite Academy

Nearby

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

About Nelson Prairie School

Nelson Prairie School is a public elementary school in New Lenox, IL, part of New Lenox SD 122. Nelson Prairie School serves approximately 383 students, and covers grades 1st-3rd, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Nelson Prairie School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,249 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Nelson Prairie School show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.9
  • IL avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.79 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,628
Chronic Absenteeism13.3%

Nelson Prairie School — Students at Nelson Prairie School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 67.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.0% (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
97.5%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
97.5%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2022
ELA
32%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Nelson Prairie School Compares

See how Nelson Prairie School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
67th percentile in IL
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.3%

Location

2366 Nelson Rd, New Lenox, IL 60451

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nelson Prairie School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Union Elementary School (rated 9.5/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Joliet), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cherry Hill Elem and EC Center (rated 8.1/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Arnold J Tyler School (rated 7.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in New Lenox, see our New Lenox schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Nelson Ridge School New Lenox 0.1 mi 7.0
LA PETITE ACADEMY New Lenox 1.3 mi
Lincoln Way West New Lenox 1.6 mi 7.7
ST JUDE SCHOOL New Lenox 2.4 mi 6.7
Arnold J Tyler School New Lenox 2.1 mi 7.8
Bentley Elem School New Lenox 2.2 mi 6.1
Spencer Pointe New Lenox 2.0 mi 7.2
Spencer Crossing New Lenox 2.0 mi 6.4
Manhattan Jr High School Manhattan 2.6 mi 6.6
Spencer Trail New Lenox 2.2 mi 4.8
Haines Elem School New Lenox 3.0 mi 6.6
Alex M Martino Jr High School New Lenox 2.7 mi 6.4
Oster-Oakview School New Lenox 3.1 mi 6.3
Union Elementary School Joliet 2.6 mi 9.5
PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL New Lenox 3.2 mi 4.5
PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL New Lenox 3.2 mi
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Manhattan 3.6 mi 5.7
Wilson Creek Elem Sch Manhattan 3.7 mi 4.5
TRINITY SERVICES -TRINITY SCHOOL New Lenox 3.3 mi
Cherry Hill Elem and EC Center New Lenox 3.6 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60451 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$132,260

Median Home Value

$373,100

Median Rent

$1,304/mo

Population

37,481

College Educated

41.9%

Homeownership

92.8%

Avg Commute

32.2 min

Poverty Rate

2.5%

Median Age

38.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Auburn Elem School Auburn, IL 7.0
CICS - Irving Park Campus Chicago, IL 7.0
Carlinville Intermediate School Carlinville, IL 7.0
Drummond Elem School Chicago, IL 7.0
Eagleview Elementary School Columbia, IL 7.0
Emmons Grade School Antioch, IL 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nelson Prairie School

What grades does Nelson Prairie School serve?

Nelson Prairie School serves students in grades 1st through 3rd.

How many students attend Nelson Prairie School?

Nelson Prairie School has an enrollment of approximately 383 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nelson Prairie School?

The student-teacher ratio at Nelson Prairie School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nelson Prairie School rank in IL?

Nelson Prairie School ranks #1,249 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Nelson Prairie School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nelson Prairie School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Nelson Prairie School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Nelson Prairie School has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Nelson Prairie School a charter school?

No, Nelson Prairie School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Nelson Prairie School a Title I school?

No, Nelson Prairie School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nelson Prairie School?

14.1% of students at Nelson Prairie 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
29 Car-Dependent

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 3rd
Enrollment
383
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Will County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.3%

District

New Lenox SD 122
District Enrollment
4,982
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,628
District Rank
#4 of 12

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