Average
#2047 of 3,813 schools in IL
Nicholson Elem School
Elementary School · Aurora West USD 129
649 N Main St, Montgomery, IL 60538
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Montgomery
#3 of 5
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,253 of 2,326
In district
#6 of 16
Aurora West USD 129
Academic growth
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Nicholson Elem School
Nicholson Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of Montgomery, Illinois. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, Nicholson Elem has an enrollment of 330 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is in a large suburban area, offering a blend of community resources and educational opportunities.
Nicholson Elem School’s academic performance places it at the 28th percentile among Illinois schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 2.7 out of 10. In reading and ELA, about 17% of students are proficient or above, while in math, only 5% meet this standard. Despite these challenges, the school is focused on providing a supportive environment for its students to grow academically.
Nicholson Elem School sits at the intersection of community engagement and educational support, making it an integral part of Montgomery’s suburban landscape.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Nicholson 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Nicholson Elem School — Students at Nicholson Elem School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.5%
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: 7.7/10.
How Nicholson Elem School Compares
See how Nicholson Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 7.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
649 N Main St, Montgomery, IL 60538
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Nicholson Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Aurora), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Aurora), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Boulder Hill Elem School (rated 6.5/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Montgomery, see our Montgomery schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rose E Krug Elem School Aurora | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| C M Bardwell Elem School Aurora | 1.3 mi | 4.7 |
| HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Aurora | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Boulder Hill Elem School Montgomery | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Long Beach Elem School Montgomery | 1.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Freeman Elem School Aurora | 1.8 mi | 4.1 |
| G N Dieterich Elem School Aurora | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Old Post Elementary School Oswego | 2.0 mi | 5.5 |
| POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II CATH. ACADEMY-SOUTH CAMPUS Aurora | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Greenman Elem School Aurora | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| West Aurora High School Aurora | 2.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Jefferson Middle School Aurora | 2.4 mi | 5.7 |
| McCleery Elem School Aurora | 2.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Thompson Jr High School Oswego | 2.6 mi | 4.9 |
| K D Waldo Middle School Aurora | 2.1 mi | 5.5 |
| West Aurora Learning Center/ELA Aurora | 2.4 mi | 4.8 |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aurora | 2.4 mi | 7.3 |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aurora | 2.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Washington Middle School Aurora | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| John Gates Elem School Aurora | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60538 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$92,064
Median Home Value
$253,900
Median Rent
$1,845/mo
Population
30,395
College Educated
25.2%
Homeownership
79.5%
Avg Commute
31.9 min
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Median Age
35.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Nicholson Elem School has a median household income of $92,064. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $253,900, with a median rent of $1,845/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Ariel Elem Community Academy Chicago, IL | 6.1 |
| Barack Obama Sch of Ldership Chicago Heights, IL | 6.1 |
| Beethoven Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.1 |
| CHRIST THE KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Springfield, IL | 6.1 |
| Caledonia Elem School Caledonia, IL | 6.1 |
| Center Elem School Freeport, IL | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nicholson Elem School
What grades does Nicholson Elem School serve?
Nicholson Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Nicholson Elem School?
Nicholson Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 330 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Nicholson Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Nicholson Elem School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Nicholson Elem School rank in IL?
Nicholson Elem School is ranked #2047 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Nicholson Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Nicholson Elem School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Nicholson Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nicholson Elem School has 5.0% math proficiency and 17.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Nicholson Elem School a charter school?
No, Nicholson Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Nicholson Elem School a Title I school?
No, Nicholson Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nicholson Elem School?
55.5% of students at Nicholson 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 (1,036/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Montgomery). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 330
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Kane County
- Phone
- (630) 301-5013
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Aurora West USD 129- District Enrollment
- 11,035
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,379
- District Rank
- #6 of 16
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
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