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Average

#2101 of 3,813 schools in IL

Normal Community West High School

High School · McLean County USD 5

501 N Parkside Rd, Normal, IL 61761

Enrollment

1,659

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

6.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#2,101 of 3,813

In Normal

#10 of 15

public schools

In district

#15 of 23

McLean County USD 5

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Normal Community West High School

6.0/10

High School in Normal · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Parkside JR High School

6.1/10

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

Parkside Elementary School

5.6/10

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

About Normal Community West High School

Normal Community West High School is a public high school in Normal, IL, part of McLean County USD 5. Normal Community West High School serves approximately 1,659 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Normal Community West High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,101 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Normal Community West High School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • District avg 6.2
  • IL avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

32% of students at Normal Community West High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College Readiness3.8Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,620
Chronic Absenteeism31.8%

Normal Community West High School — Students at Normal Community West High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 41.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.6% (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
56%
ELA
56%
2010
Math
58%
ELA
60%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
58%
2012
Math
54%
ELA
59%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
68%
2014
Math
13%
ELA
20%
2015
Math
33%
ELA
36%
2016
Math
36%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
38%
ELA
43%
2018
Math
33%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
33%
ELA
41%
2020*
Math
28%
ELA
34%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
34%
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: 9.1/10.

How Normal Community West High School Compares

See how Normal Community West High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
45th percentile in IL
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.7
Sports
22
10 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
106 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
11.9% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics22sports offered
10 boys'·12 girls'·32 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

501 N Parkside Rd, Normal, IL 61761

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Normal Community West High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. University High School (rated 9.4/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Thomas Metcalf School (rated 8.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST MARYS SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Bloomington), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Normal, see our Normal schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Parkside Jr High School Normal 0.7 mi 6.1
Parkside Elementary School Normal 0.8 mi 5.6
Oakdale Elem School Normal 1.6 mi 4.6
University High School Normal 1.5 mi 9.4
YBMC Charter Sch Normal 1.9 mi
Kingsley Jr High School Normal 1.7 mi 4.9
Fairview Elem School Normal 1.6 mi 6.9
CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Normal 1.7 mi 5.9
Thomas Metcalf School Normal 1.8 mi 8.9
Sheridan Elem School Bloomington 2.6 mi 4.2
Glenn Elem School Normal 2.4 mi 6.8
Bent Elem School Bloomington 2.8 mi 3.0
Chiddix Jr High School Normal 2.5 mi 6.3
MULBERRY SCHOOL Normal 2.4 mi
Sarah A Raymond Sch of Early Educ Bloomington 3.3 mi 5.1
BLOOM COMMUNITY SCHOOL Normal 2.5 mi 4.9
EPIPHANY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Normal 2.8 mi 6.8
ST MARYS SCHOOL Bloomington 3.5 mi 8.6
Irving Elementary School Bloomington 3.5 mi 3.1
Colene Hoose Elem School Normal 3.0 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61761 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,642

Median Home Value

$200,900

Median Rent

$976/mo

Population

53,404

College Educated

52.5%

Homeownership

55.4%

Avg Commute

17.2 min

Poverty Rate

21.3%

Median Age

25.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Auburn High School Rockford, IL 6.1
DeKalb High School Dekalb, IL 5.9
Oak Lawn Comm High School Oak Lawn, IL 6.1
Plainfield High School Plainfield, IL 5.9
Belvidere North High Sch Belvidere, IL 5.8
Bloomington High School Bloomington, IL 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Normal Community West High School

What grades does Normal Community West High School serve?

Normal Community West High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Normal Community West High School?

Normal Community West High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,659 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Normal Community West High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Normal Community West High School is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Normal Community West High School rank in IL?

Normal Community West High School ranks #2,101 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Normal Community West High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Normal Community West High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 Normal Community West High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Normal Community West High School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Normal Community West High School a charter school?

No, Normal Community West High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Normal Community West High School a Title I school?

No, Normal Community West High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Normal Community West High School?

39.1% of students at Normal Community West High 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
7 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
20 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,659
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
106
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
McLean County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.8%

District

McLean County USD 5
District Enrollment
12,518
Schools in District
26
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,620
District Rank
#15 of 23

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