Excellent
#375 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 10% in state
Paw Paw Elem School
Elementary School · Paw Paw CUSD 271
511 Chapman St, Paw Paw, IL 61353
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois elementary schools
#266 of 2,326
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Paw Paw Elem School
Paw Paw Elem School is a small rural elementary school located in Paw Paw, Illinois. With an enrollment of just 99 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11:1, the school provides a close-knit community where each child receives personalized attention from nine full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 reflects its ranking as #1198 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it at the 69th percentile overall.
Academically, Paw Paw Elem School focuses on student development with room for growth. Currently, 26% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and just 8% in Math. Despite these challenges, the school is committed to helping its students achieve their full potential.
The rural setting contributes to a tight-knit community where families work together to support each other's educational goals. Paw Paw Elem School is nestled in a peaceful rural area, offering students a serene environment for learning and growth.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 99 students, Paw Paw Elem School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Paw Paw Elem School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Paw Paw Elem School — Students at Paw Paw Elem School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.4%
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
↑ 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: 9.7/10.
How Paw Paw Elem School Compares
See how Paw Paw Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 24.5% (2019) to 24.5% (2022).
Location
511 Chapman St, Paw Paw, IL 61353
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Paw Paw Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Creston Elem School (rated 9.7/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Creston), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harding Grade School (rated 9.2/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Earlville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Indian Creek Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Shabbona), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Paw Paw, see our Paw Paw schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Paw Paw Junior High School Paw Paw | 0.0 mi | — |
| Earlville Jr/Sr High School Earlville | 7.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Earlville Elem School Earlville | 7.8 mi | 5.3 |
| The Earlville Early Learning Ctr Earlville | 7.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Indian Creek High School Shabbona | 7.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Indian Creek Elementary School Shabbona | 7.4 mi | 8.8 |
| Steward Elementary School Steward | 11.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Leland High School Leland | 10.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Leland Elem School Leland | 10.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Northbrook School Mendota | 11.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Lincoln Elem School Mendota | 12.0 mi | 5.0 |
| HOLY CROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mendota | 12.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Mendota Twp High School Mendota | 11.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Blackstone Elem School Mendota | 12.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Harding Grade School Earlville | 14.0 mi | 9.2 |
| Indian Creek Middle School Waterman | 12.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Creston Elem School Creston | 16.4 mi | 9.7 |
| Central Elem School Rochelle | 16.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Rochelle Middle School Rochelle | 17.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Tilton Elem School Rochelle | 17.3 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61353 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,667
Median Home Value
$163,600
Median Rent
$853/mo
Population
1,219
College Educated
14.6%
Homeownership
74.9%
Avg Commute
37.7 min
Poverty Rate
5.3%
Median Age
35.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Paw Paw Elem School has a median household income of $64,667. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $163,600, with a median rent of $853/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AKIBA-SCHECHTER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Chicago, IL | 8.1 |
| Astoria Elem School Astoria, IL | 8.1 |
| Everett Elem School Chicago, IL | 8.1 |
| INTERCULTURAL MONTESSORI LANGUAGE SCHOOL Chicago, IL | 8.1 |
| Riverdale School Riverdale, IL | 8.1 |
| Venice Elem School Granite City, IL | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Paw Paw Elem School
What grades does Paw Paw Elem School serve?
Paw Paw Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Paw Paw Elem School?
Paw Paw Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 99 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paw Paw Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Paw Paw Elem School is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Paw Paw Elem School rank in IL?
Paw Paw Elem School is ranked #375 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Paw Paw Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Paw Paw Elem School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Paw Paw Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paw Paw Elem School has 7.5% math proficiency and 26.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Paw Paw Elem School a charter school?
No, Paw Paw Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Paw Paw Elem School a Title I school?
No, Paw Paw Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paw Paw Elem School?
39.4% of students at Paw Paw 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 99
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lee County
- Phone
- (815) 627-2841
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Paw Paw CUSD 271- District Enrollment
- 127
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,719
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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