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Average

#1595 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 42% in state

Putnam County Elem School

Elementary School · Putnam County CUSD 535

326 S 5th St, Hennepin, IL 61327

Enrollment

156

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

6.6

Grades

3rd – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois elementary schools

#1,004 of 2,326

In district

#4 of 4

Putnam County CUSD 535

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Putnam County Elem School

Putnam County Elementary School serves 156 students in grades 3-5 in the rural community of Hennepin, Illinois. With 13 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 12:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention in smaller classroom settings. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #638 out of 3,819 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile among Illinois schools.

The academic score of 7.4 reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence, though ELA/reading proficiency shows room for continued growth with 37% of students performing at or above grade level. Located at 326 S 5th Street, Putnam County Elementary sits in an economically stable rural area where the median household income reaches $115,862 and the poverty rate remains remarkably low at just 2.3%. The surrounding ZIP code of 61327 houses 1,385 residents, with median home values at $211,000, reflecting an affordable cost of living for families.

This small elementary school provides an intimate learning environment in Putnam County's close-knit rural setting, where students benefit from personalized attention and strong community connections that characterize small-town education.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 156 students, Putnam County 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, Putnam County 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 Progress6.7Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.21 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,970

Putnam County Elem School — Students at Putnam County Elem School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 30.3%
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
27%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2022
ELA
37%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Putnam County Elem School Compares

See how Putnam County Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
58th percentile in IL
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

326 S 5th St, Hennepin, IL 61327

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Putnam County Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Henry-Senachwine Grade School (rated 7.2/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Henry), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lincoln Elem School (rated 7.0/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Princeton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Putnam Co Primary Sch (rated 6.9/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Granville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Hennepin, see our Hennepin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.2 mi
School Distance Rating
DePue High School Depue 5.4 mi 7.0
DePue Elem School Depue 5.4 mi 6.4
Putnam Co Primary Sch Granville 6.4 mi 6.9
Putnam County High School Granville 6.6 mi 6.6
Henry-Senachwine Grade School Henry 9.2 mi 7.2
Henry-Senachwine High School Henry 9.3 mi 6.1
Hall High School Spring Valley 8.7 mi 6.1
Putnam County Jr High School Mc Nabb 9.3 mi 7.1
John F Kennedy Elem School Spring Valley 9.2 mi 4.4
Lincoln Elem School Princeton 10.3 mi 7.0
Princeton High School Princeton 10.5 mi 6.5
PRINCETON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Princeton 11.5 mi 6.4
Douglas Elementary School Princeton 11.1 mi 3.9
Logan Jr High School Princeton 10.9 mi 6.4
Malden Grade School Malden 12.3 mi 6.2
Ladd Comm Cons Sch Ladd 11.1 mi 5.9
Jefferson Elem School Princeton 11.2 mi 6.3
ST BEDE ACADEMY Peru 10.5 mi 7.0
Dalzell Grade School Dalzell 11.6 mi 5.2
Parkside Middle School Peru 12.2 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61327 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,500

Median Home Value

$219,000

Median Rent

$836/mo

Population

1,341

College Educated

19.2%

Homeownership

86.8%

Avg Commute

29.5 min

Poverty Rate

4.2%

Median Age

45.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Putnam County Elem School has a median household income of $87,500. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $219,000, with a median rent of $836/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Dunne Technology Acad Elem Sch Chicago, IL 6.6
Gifford Grade School Gifford, IL 6.6
HOLY ANGELS Chicago, IL 6.6
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Monmouth, IL 6.6
Johnsonville Elem School Johnsonville, IL 6.6
Morton Elem Career Academy Chicago, IL 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Putnam County Elem School

What grades does Putnam County Elem School serve?

Putnam County Elem School serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.

How many students attend Putnam County Elem School?

Putnam County Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 156 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Putnam County Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Putnam County Elem School is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Putnam County Elem School rank in IL?

Putnam County Elem School is ranked #1595 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Putnam County Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Putnam County Elem School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Putnam County Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Putnam County Elem School has 19.5% math proficiency and 30.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Putnam County Elem School a charter school?

No, Putnam County Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Putnam County Elem School a Title I school?

No, Putnam County Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Putnam County Elem School?

32.7% of students at Putnam County 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

County Safety
Low (143/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
156
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Putnam County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Putnam County CUSD 535
District Enrollment
766
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,739
District Rank
#4 of 4

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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