Needs Improvement
#3745 of 3,813 schools in IL
Parkside Elementary School
Elementary School · McLean County USD 5
1900 W College Ave, Normal, IL 61761
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Normal
#14 of 15
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#2,269 of 2,326
In district
#22 of 23
McLean County USD 5
About Parkside Elementary School
Parkside Elementary School is a welcoming public elementary school in Normal, Illinois, serving students from pre-K through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 309 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, Parkside provides personalized attention to each child's educational needs. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 22 full-time equivalent teachers committed to fostering a nurturing learning environment.
Academically, Parkside Elementary has room for improvement, as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and state ranking of #2885 out of 3819 schools in Illinois (placing it around the 24th percentile). In reading and math proficiency tests, 29% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 24% meet or exceed standards in Math. The school is focusing on strategies to enhance student performance across all grade levels.
Located in a mid-size suburb, Parkside Elementary School benefits from a close-knit community that supports its educational mission and the growth of its young learners.
Score Breakdown
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Parkside Elementary School — Students at Parkside Elementary School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.7%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.4/10.
How Parkside Elementary School Compares
See how Parkside Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
1900 W College Ave, Normal, IL 61761
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Parkside Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST MARYS SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Bloomington), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oakdale Elem School (rated 7.3/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Colene Hoose Elem School (rated 7.0/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Normal, see our Normal schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Parkside Jr High School Normal | 0.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Normal Community West High School Normal | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| YBMC Charter Sch Normal | 1.1 mi | — |
| Oakdale Elem School Normal | 1.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Kingsley Jr High School Normal | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Sheridan Elem School Bloomington | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| University High School Normal | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Thomas Metcalf School Normal | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Fairview Elem School Normal | 1.9 mi | 3.1 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Normal | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Bent Elem School Bloomington | 2.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Sarah A Raymond Sch of Early Educ Bloomington | 2.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Glenn Elem School Normal | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| ST MARYS SCHOOL Bloomington | 2.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Irving Elementary School Bloomington | 2.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Chiddix Jr High School Normal | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| MULBERRY SCHOOL Normal | 2.6 mi | — |
| BLOOM COMMUNITY SCHOOL Normal | 2.7 mi | 4.9 |
| EPIPHANY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Normal | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Colene Hoose Elem School Normal | 2.8 mi | 7.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Parkside Elementary School has a median household income of $66,642. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $200,900, with a median rent of $976/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Ernest F Kolb Elem School Oak Lawn, IL | 3.7 |
| Galapagos Rockford Charter Sch Rockford, IL | 3.7 |
| Illini Bluffs Elementary School Glasford, IL | 3.7 |
| Norwood Primary School Peoria, IL | 3.7 |
| ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mokena, IL | 3.7 |
| Benjamin Franklin Elem School Moline, IL | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Parkside Elementary School
What grades does Parkside Elementary School serve?
Parkside Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Parkside Elementary School?
Parkside Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 309 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Parkside Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Parkside Elementary School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Parkside Elementary School rank in IL?
Parkside Elementary School is ranked #3745 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Parkside Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Parkside Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Parkside Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Parkside Elementary School has 24.5% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Parkside Elementary School a charter school?
No, Parkside Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Parkside Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Parkside Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Parkside Elementary School?
55.7% of students at Parkside 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
- City Safety
- High (1,885/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Normal). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 309
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- McLean County
- Phone
- (309) 557-4422
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
McLean County USD 5- District Enrollment
- 12,518
- Schools in District
- 26
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,620
- District Rank
- #22 of 23
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
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