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Excellent

#30 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 1% in state

Norton Creek Elementary School

Elementary School · St Charles CUSD 303

2033 Smith Rd, West Chicago, IL 60185

Enrollment

506

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

9.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In West Chicago

#1 of 11

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#27 of 2,326

In district

#1 of 15

St Charles CUSD 303

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Norton Creek Elementary School

Norton Creek Elementary School serves 506 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in West Chicago, Illinois. With a composite score of 9.5 out of 10 and an academic rating of 9.9, the school earns an Exceptional designation — ranking 30th out of 3,813 public schools in Illinois and outperforming 99% of schools statewide. Among elementary schools specifically, it places 27th out of 2,326 across Illinois, a result that reflects both strong academic achievement and a growth score of 9.8.

The student-teacher ratio of 13.0 to 1 keeps class sizes manageable, giving teachers more direct time with each student. That ratio, combined with the school's academic performance, helps explain why Norton Creek stands as the top-ranked school among all 11 public schools in West Chicago. Norton Creek operates as a regular public school, meaning these results come without selective admissions or specialized entry requirements.

Families researching elementary options in the West Chicago area will find it consistently at the top of local and statewide comparisons. Its combination of high academic scores, strong growth numbers, and a favorable student-teacher ratio makes it one of the most competitive elementary schools in Illinois by any measure tracked on this platform.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.9Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69%
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+22.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,938

Norton Creek Elementary School — Students at Norton Creek Elementary School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

11.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 63.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 64.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
62%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
64%
ELA
64%
2022
ELA
69%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Norton Creek Elementary School Compares

See how Norton Creek Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.5/10
99th percentile in IL
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
11%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

2033 Smith Rd, West Chicago, IL 60185

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Norton Creek Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Munhall Elem School (rated 8.3/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Saint Charles), a more accessible option. Another option is Anderson Elem School (rated 8.3/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Saint Charles), a more accessible option. Additionally, Liberty Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Bartlett), a more accessible option. For more schools in West Chicago, see our West Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Wayne Elem School Wayne 1.4 mi 6.8
Wredling Middle School Saint Charles 1.7 mi 6.5
St Charles East High School Saint Charles 1.8 mi 8.8
Wegner Elementary School West Chicago 2.5 mi 5.6
KENSINGTON SCHOOL OF ST CHARLES Saint Charles 2.7 mi
Munhall Elem School Saint Charles 3.1 mi 8.3
Bartlett High School Bartlett 3.0 mi 6.5
Turner Elem School West Chicago 3.5 mi 6.4
Nature Ridge Elem School Bartlett 4.2 mi 7.4
PARKLAND PREPARATORY ACADEMY Bartlett 4.2 mi 8.3
Harrison Street Elem School Geneva 3.8 mi 7.5
Lincoln Elem School Saint Charles 3.4 mi 6.3
Pioneer Elem School West Chicago 4.2 mi 7.1
Anderson Elem School Saint Charles 3.6 mi 8.3
Sycamore Trails Elementary School Bartlett 3.8 mi 3.9
West Chicago Comm High School West Chicago 4.2 mi 5.1
Liberty Elem School Bartlett 4.5 mi 7.9
MANSIO MENS MONTESSORI OF GENEVA Geneva 4.1 mi
Leman Middle School West Chicago 4.7 mi 7.4
Gary Elementary School West Chicago 4.8 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60185 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,063

Median Home Value

$313,600

Median Rent

$1,400/mo

Population

33,711

College Educated

32.6%

Homeownership

79%

Avg Commute

27.1 min

Poverty Rate

11%

Median Age

38.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Norton Creek Elementary School has a median household income of $105,063. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $313,600, with a median rent of $1,400/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.0%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Meadowbrook Elem School Northbrook, IL 9.5
Prospect Elem School Clarendon Hills, IL 9.5
Whittier Elem School Oak Park, IL 9.5
Willowbrook Elem School Glenview, IL 9.5
Arnett C Lines Elem School Barrington, IL 9.6
Barbara B Rose Elem School South Barrington, IL 9.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Norton Creek Elementary School

What grades does Norton Creek Elementary School serve?

Norton Creek Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Norton Creek Elementary School?

Norton Creek Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 506 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Norton Creek Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Norton Creek Elementary School is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Norton Creek Elementary School rank in IL?

Norton Creek Elementary School is ranked #30 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Norton Creek Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Norton Creek Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.5 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 Norton Creek Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Norton Creek Elementary School has 63.0% math proficiency and 64.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Norton Creek Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Norton Creek Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Norton Creek Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Norton Creek Elementary School?

11.1% of students at Norton Creek 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
55 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (805/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Chicago). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
506
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
11.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
DuPage County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

St Charles CUSD 303
District Enrollment
11,699
Schools in District
18
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,044
District Rank
#1 of 15

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 methodology

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