Excellent
#296 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 8% in state
North Ward Elementary School
Elementary School · Tuscola CUSD 301
1201 N Prairie St, Tuscola, IL 61953
Enrollment
326
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
326
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tuscola
#1 of 3
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#207 of 2,326
In district
#1 of 3
Tuscola CUSD 301
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About North Ward Elementary School
North Ward Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tuscola, IL, part of the Tuscola CUSD 301. The school serves approximately 326 students in grades Pre-K – 4th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 92.3th percentile among IL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 25% proficiency in math and 34% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $76,504, where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant town setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
North Ward Elementary School — Students at North Ward Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.6%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.6/10.
How North Ward Elementary School Compares
See how North Ward Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 37% (2022).
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. Arthur Grade School (rated 8.7/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Arthur), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Atwood-Hammond Grade School (rated 6.9/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Atwood), a more accessible option. Additionally, Unity West (rated 6.5/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Tolono), a more accessible option. 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 | 4.9 |
| Villa Grove High School Villa Grove | 7.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Villa Grove Elem School Villa Grove | 7.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Villa Grove Jr High School Villa Grove | 7.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Arcola Elementary School Arcola | 9.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Arcola High School Arcola | 9.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Unity West Tolono | 10.8 mi | 6.5 |
| BEAR CREEK SCHOOL Tuscola | 8.9 mi | 2.3 |
| Unity Jr High School Tolono | 12.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Unity High School Tolono | 12.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Atwood-Hammond Grade School Atwood | 10.3 mi | 6.9 |
| 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 | 8.7 |
| Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond Arthur | 12.5 mi | 7.3 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Ward Elementary School has a median household income of $76,504. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $165,100, with a median rent of $835/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Bernard J Ward Elem School Bolingbrook, IL | 8.3 |
| East Dubuque Elem School East Dubuque, IL | 8.3 |
| Eastland Elementary School Shannon, IL | 8.3 |
| Edison Elem Regional Gifted Cntr Chicago, IL | 8.3 |
| Elmer H Franzen Intermediate Sch Itasca, IL | 8.3 |
| Jesse C White Learning Academy Hazel Crest, IL | 8.3 |
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 is ranked #296 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is North Ward Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Ward Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.3 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 North Ward Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Ward Elementary School has 24.5% math proficiency and 33.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tuscola). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (217) 253-2712
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tuscola CUSD 301- District Enrollment
- 900
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,372
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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
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.