Average
#2568 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
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#2,568 of 3,813
In Montgomery
#2 of 5
public schools
In district
#6 of 16
Aurora West USD 129
Shortlisting around Nicholson Elem School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Nicholson Elem School
Elementary School in Montgomery · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Rose E Krug Elem School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
C M Bardwell Elem School
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Nicholson Elem School
Nicholson Elem School is a public elementary school in Montgomery, IL, part of Aurora West USD 129. Nicholson Elem School serves approximately 330 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Nicholson Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,568 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Nicholson Elem School show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.4 · Average
- District avg 4.7
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Nicholson Elem School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
30% of students at Nicholson Elem School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 27 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: 6.4/10.
How Nicholson Elem School Compares
See how Nicholson Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 notably higher. Additionally, Old Post Elementary School (rated 5.3/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Oswego), with a very similar rating. 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 | 5.0 |
| C M Bardwell Elem School Aurora | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Aurora | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Boulder Hill Elem School Montgomery | 1.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Long Beach Elem School Montgomery | 1.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Freeman Elem School Aurora | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| G N Dieterich Elem School Aurora | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Old Post Elementary School Oswego | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II CATH. ACADEMY-SOUTH CAMPUS Aurora | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Greenman Elem School Aurora | 2.1 mi | 4.6 |
| West Aurora High School Aurora | 2.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Jefferson Middle School Aurora | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| McCleery Elem School Aurora | 2.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Thompson Jr High School Oswego | 2.6 mi | 4.1 |
| K D Waldo Middle School Aurora | 2.1 mi | 4.8 |
| West Aurora Learning Center/ELA Aurora | 2.4 mi | 4.7 |
| 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 | 4.2 |
| John Gates Elem School Aurora | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A J Katzenmaier Academy North Chicago, IL | 5.4 |
| CALVARY ACADEMY South Holland, IL | 5.4 |
| Calhoun Elementary/ Jr High Sch Hardin, IL | 5.4 |
| Carolyn Wenz Elem School Paris, IL | 5.4 |
| Carrier Mills-Stonefort Elem Sch Carrier Mills, IL | 5.4 |
| Carroll Elem School Chicago, IL | 5.4 |
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 ranks #2,568 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Nicholson Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Nicholson Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Nicholson Elem School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Nicholson Elem School has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.3%
- Phone
- (630) 301-5013
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
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated 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.