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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5%
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-13.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,653

Paw Paw Elem School — Students at Paw Paw Elem School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 7.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 26.3%
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
5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
ELA
24.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.1/10
90th percentile in IL
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

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

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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