Very Good
#1124 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 30% in state
Pepper Ridge Elementary School
Elementary School · McLean County USD 5
2602 Danbury Dr, Bloomington, IL 61705
Enrollment
299
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
299
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bloomington
#2 of 16
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#716 of 2,326
In district
#3 of 23
McLean County USD 5
Academic performance
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Pepper Ridge Elementary School
Pepper Ridge Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Bloomington, Illinois, nestled in McLean County. With an enrollment of 299 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. The dedicated staff includes 26 full-time equivalent teachers who strive to create a supportive learning environment.
Pepper Ridge Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks at #969 among Illinois schools, placing it in the 75th percentile statewide. Academically, students have shown proficiency rates of 32% in ELA/Reading and 30% in Math. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, they also highlight ongoing efforts to enhance student development and achievement.
Located in a small city setting, Pepper Ridge Elementary is part of the vibrant community of Bloomington, where it serves families with young children. The school’s environment fosters a sense of belonging and encourages students to thrive academically and socially.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Pepper Ridge Elementary School — Students at Pepper Ridge Elementary School score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.5%
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: 7.1/10.
How Pepper Ridge Elementary School Compares
See how Pepper Ridge Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
2602 Danbury Dr, Bloomington, IL 61705
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pepper Ridge Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST MARYS SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oakdale Elem School (rated 7.3/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Normal), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Irving Elementary School (rated 5.9/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bloomington, see our Bloomington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bloomington | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Fox Creek Elementary School Bloomington | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Sarah A Raymond Sch of Early Educ Bloomington | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Brigham Elementary Bloomington | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Irving Elementary School Bloomington | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| ST MARYS SCHOOL Bloomington | 2.4 mi | 8.6 |
| HIGH ROAD SCHOOL OF BLOOMINGTON Bloomington | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Cedar Ridge Elem School Bloomington | 2.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Sheridan Elem School Bloomington | 2.9 mi | 5.1 |
| YBMC Charter Sch Normal | 3.5 mi | — |
| Bent Elem School Bloomington | 3.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Washington Elem School Bloomington | 3.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Oakdale Elem School Normal | 4.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Parkside Elementary School Normal | 4.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Oakland Elementary School Bloomington | 3.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Parkside Jr High School Normal | 4.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Bloomington Jr High School Bloomington | 3.9 mi | 6.1 |
| CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bloomington | 3.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Glenn Elem School Normal | 4.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Bloomington High School Bloomington | 3.9 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61705 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$120,470
Median Home Value
$310,100
Median Rent
$1,294/mo
Population
12,973
College Educated
56.5%
Homeownership
80.3%
Avg Commute
20.1 min
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Median Age
39.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pepper Ridge Elementary School has a median household income of $120,470. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $310,100, with a median rent of $1,294/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Aldridge Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.1 |
| Butler Elem School Springfield, IL | 7.1 |
| C Henry Bloom Elem School Rockford, IL | 7.1 |
| Central Road Elem School Rolling Meadows, IL | 7.1 |
| Clearmont Elem School Elk Grove Village, IL | 7.1 |
| Clearview Elem School Waukegan, IL | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pepper Ridge Elementary School
What grades does Pepper Ridge Elementary School serve?
Pepper Ridge Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Pepper Ridge Elementary School?
Pepper Ridge Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 299 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pepper Ridge Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Pepper Ridge Elementary School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pepper Ridge Elementary School rank in IL?
Pepper Ridge Elementary School is ranked #1124 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Pepper Ridge Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Pepper Ridge Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Pepper Ridge Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pepper Ridge Elementary School has 29.5% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pepper Ridge Elementary School a charter school?
No, Pepper Ridge Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pepper Ridge Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Pepper Ridge Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pepper Ridge Elementary School?
54.5% of students at Pepper Ridge 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
- County Safety
- Low (68/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 299
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- McLean County
- Phone
- (309) 557-4423
- 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
- #3 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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