Skip to main content

Average

#2951 of 3,813 schools in IL

North Ward Elementary School

Elementary School · Tuscola CUSD 301

1201 N Prairie St, Tuscola, IL 61953

Enrollment

326

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#2,951 of 3,813

In Tuscola

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Tuscola CUSD 301

Academic performance

7.8 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around North Ward Elementary 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.

North Ward Elementary School

5.0/10

Elementary School in Tuscola · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

East Prairie Middle School

5.1/10

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

Tuscola High School

5.5/10

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

About North Ward Elementary School

North Ward Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tuscola, IL, part of Tuscola CUSD 301. North Ward Elementary School serves approximately 326 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. North Ward Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,951 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for North Ward Elementary School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.2 pts below IL schools
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • IL avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-6.44 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
Resources & Environment6.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,372
Chronic Absenteeism24.8%

North Ward Elementary School — Students at North Ward Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 46.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.6% (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
97.5%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
97.5%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2022
ELA
37%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How North Ward Elementary School Compares

See how North Ward Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
23th percentile in IL
Academic
7.8/10
Very Good
Growth
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.8/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.8%

Location

1201 N Prairie St, Tuscola, IL 61953

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Ward Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Atwood-Hammond Grade School (rated 8.6/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Atwood), which scores notably higher. Another option is Arthur Grade School (rated 6.6/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Arthur), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Unity West (rated 5.9/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Tolono), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Tuscola, see our Tuscola schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.8 mi
School Distance Rating
East Prairie Middle School Tuscola 0.9 mi 5.1
Tuscola High School Tuscola 0.9 mi 5.5
Villa Grove High School Villa Grove 7.2 mi 4.3
Villa Grove Elem School Villa Grove 7.2 mi 4.7
Villa Grove Jr High School Villa Grove 7.2 mi 2.8
Arcola Elementary School Arcola 9.0 mi 5.5
Arcola High School Arcola 9.0 mi 6.7
Unity West Tolono 10.8 mi 5.9
BEAR CREEK SCHOOL Tuscola 8.9 mi 2.3
Unity Jr High School Tolono 12.9 mi 5.3
Unity High School Tolono 12.9 mi 6.1
Atwood-Hammond Grade School Atwood 10.3 mi 8.6
NORTHSIDE SCHOOL Arthur 11.0 mi
PRAIRIE LANE AMISH SCHOOL Arthur 11.5 mi 3.7
SOUTH PRAIRIE SCHOOL Arcola 13.3 mi 2.6
Arthur Grade School Arthur 12.4 mi 6.6
Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond Arthur 12.5 mi 7.0
MEADOWLARK SCHOOL Arthur 13.4 mi 2.0
ST THOMAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Philo 15.0 mi 5.2
LITTLE CREEK SCHOOL Humboldt 15.8 mi 2.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61953 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,504

Median Home Value

$165,100

Median Rent

$835/mo

Population

6,439

College Educated

24.1%

Homeownership

77.3%

Avg Commute

19.4 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

40

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Asian Human Srvcs-Passage Chrtr Chicago, IL 5.0
Barnard Elem Comp Math & Sci Ctr Chicago, IL 5.0
Beecher Elem School Beecher, IL 5.0
Brownstown Elem School Brownstown, IL 5.0
Costello School Lyons, IL 5.0
Curtis Elem School Chicago, IL 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Ward Elementary School

What grades does North Ward Elementary School serve?

North Ward Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend North Ward Elementary School?

North Ward Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 326 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Ward Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at North Ward Elementary School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Ward Elementary School rank in IL?

North Ward Elementary School ranks #2,951 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is North Ward Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Ward Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 North Ward Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, North Ward Elementary School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is North Ward Elementary School a charter school?

No, North Ward Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is North Ward Elementary School a Title I school?

No, North Ward Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Ward Elementary School?

42.6% of students at North Ward Elementary 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
326
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Douglas County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.8%

District

Tuscola CUSD 301
District Enrollment
900
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,372
District Rank
#3 of 3

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 rate

Related 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.