Average
#1678 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 44% in state
Northwest Elem School
Elementary School · La Salle ESD 122
1735 Malcolm Ave, La Salle, IL 61301
Enrollment
644
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
644
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Salle
#2 of 4
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,052 of 2,326
In district
#1 of 2
La Salle ESD 122
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Northwest Elem School
Northwest Elem School is a public elementary school located in La Salle, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 644 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1, which ensures that each child receives individual attention. With 52 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Northwest Elem School aims to provide a supportive educational environment.
The academic performance at Northwest Elem School currently stands at the 40th percentile in Illinois, with room for improvement as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.6 out of 10. Students show proficiency rates of 17% in ELA/Reading and 6% in Math across all grade levels. Northwest Elem School is situated in a town setting, offering students a close-knit community feel.
While specific neighborhood data is not available, the school remains an integral part of La Salle’s educational landscape, dedicated to fostering growth and development in its young learners.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Northwest 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
View breakdown
Northwest Elem School — Students at Northwest Elem School score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.4%
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: 8.3/10.
How Northwest Elem School Compares
See how Northwest Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 7% (2019) to 4% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 19% (2019) to 14% (2022).
Location
1735 Malcolm Ave, La Salle, IL 61301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwest Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Waltham Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Utica), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tonica Grade School (rated 7.6/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Tonica), which scores notably higher. Additionally, TRINITY CATHOLIC ACADEMY (rated 7.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in La Salle, see our La Salle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Jr High School La Salle | 0.5 mi | 6.4 |
| La Salle-Peru Twp High School La Salle | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| LIGHTED WAY ASSOCIATION La Salle | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| TRINITY CATHOLIC ACADEMY La Salle | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Northview Elem School Peru | 1.3 mi | 4.6 |
| PERU CATHOLIC SCHOOL Peru | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Parkside Middle School Peru | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Lincoln Elem School Oglesby | 3.3 mi | 5.9 |
| HOLY FAMILY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oglesby | 3.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Washington Elem School Oglesby | 4.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Dimmick Comm Cons SD 175 La Salle | 4.5 mi | 5.5 |
| ST BEDE ACADEMY Peru | 3.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Dalzell Grade School Dalzell | 3.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Waltham Elementary School Utica | 4.9 mi | 8.1 |
| John F Kennedy Elem School Spring Valley | 5.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Hall High School Spring Valley | 5.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Ladd Comm Cons Sch Ladd | 6.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Tonica Grade School Tonica | 9.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Putnam County High School Granville | 8.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Putnam Co Primary Sch Granville | 8.4 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,260
Median Home Value
$117,800
Median Rent
$1,010/mo
Population
10,312
College Educated
15%
Homeownership
65.8%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Median Age
41.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwest Elem School has a median household income of $59,260. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $117,800, with a median rent of $1,010/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.1%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| A F Ames Elem School Riverside, IL | 6.5 |
| Boulder Hill Elem School Montgomery, IL | 6.5 |
| Camras Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.5 |
| Donald C Parker Early Educ Center Machesney Park, IL | 6.5 |
| Elizabeth Blackwell Elem School Schaumburg, IL | 6.5 |
| Fox Chase Elementary School Oswego, IL | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwest Elem School
What grades does Northwest Elem School serve?
Northwest Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Northwest Elem School?
Northwest Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 644 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwest Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwest Elem School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwest Elem School rank in IL?
Northwest Elem School is ranked #1678 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Northwest Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwest Elem School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Northwest Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwest Elem School has 5.5% math proficiency and 17.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwest Elem School a charter school?
No, Northwest Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwest Elem School a Title I school?
No, Northwest Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwest Elem School?
64.4% of students at Northwest 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Low (202/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (La Salle). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 644
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 52
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- LaSalle County
- Phone
- (815) 223-0786
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
La Salle ESD 122- District Enrollment
- 906
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,772
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
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.