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Average

#1539 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 40% in state

Ralston Elem School

Elementary School · Harlem UD 122

710 Ralston Rd, Machesney Park, IL 61115

Enrollment

294

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

6.6

Grades

1st – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#1,539 of 3,813

In Machesney Park

#2 of 6

public schools

In district

#2 of 11

Harlem UD 122

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Ralston Elem School

6.6/10

Elementary School in Machesney Park · grades 1st – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Olson Park Elem School

7.2/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Machesney Elem School

5.5/10

1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ralston Elem School

Ralston Elem School is a public elementary school in Machesney Park, IL, part of Harlem UD 122. Ralston Elem School serves approximately 294 students, and covers grades 1st-6th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Ralston Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,539 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Ralston Elem School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 6.6 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • IL avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency26% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)28% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-2.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,101
Chronic Absenteeism15%

Ralston Elem School — Students at Ralston Elem School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 46.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
89%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
84%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
84%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
55%
ELA
56%
2013
Math
59%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
20%
ELA
33%
2015
Math
24%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
29%
ELA
35%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
36%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
36%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2022
ELA
25%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Ralston Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
60th percentile in IL
Academic
6.7/10
Average
Growth
6.1/10
Average
Environment
7.7/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.0%

Location

710 Ralston Rd, Machesney Park, IL 61115

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ralston Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Olson Park Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 2.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 2.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Machesney Park, see our Machesney Park schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Olson Park Elem School Machesney Park 0.9 mi 7.2
Machesney Elem School Machesney Park 1.5 mi 5.5
Harlem High School Machesney Park 1.4 mi 5.8
Marquette Elem School Machesney Park 1.8 mi 4.5
VERITAS CHRISTI HYBRID ACADEMY Rockford 1.6 mi 6.6
Donald C Parker Early Educ Center Machesney Park 2.0 mi 6.3
WALTER LAWSON CHILDRENS HOME Loves Park 2.2 mi
Maple Elem School Loves Park 2.4 mi 5.2
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Machesney Park 2.6 mi 6.7
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Machesney Park 2.6 mi 6.7
Rock Cut Elem School Loves Park 2.6 mi 5.5
Windsor Elem School Loves Park 3.1 mi 4.6
Harlem Middle School Loves Park 3.1 mi 6.0
ST BRIDGET SCHOOL Loves Park 3.5 mi 5.2
Loves Park Elem School Loves Park 4.0 mi 5.5
Kinnikinnick School Roscoe 3.9 mi 6.7
NORTH LOVE CHRISTIAN Rockford 4.0 mi 7.6
Stephen Mack Middle School Rockton 4.2 mi 7.5
ROCKFORD BOYLAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Rockford 3.9 mi 6.6
ROCKFORD LUTHERAN SCHOOL - JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Rockford 4.3 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61115 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,771

Median Home Value

$160,700

Median Rent

$1,111/mo

Population

22,424

College Educated

18.1%

Homeownership

80.3%

Avg Commute

22.2 min

Poverty Rate

13.3%

Median Age

40.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Anne M Jeans Elem School Willowbrook, IL 6.6
Arthur Grade School Arthur, IL 6.6
Bert H Fulton School Tinley Park, IL 6.6
Central Elem School Pontiac, IL 6.6
Dean Street Elem School Woodstock, IL 6.6
Gallatin Elementary School Junction, IL 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ralston Elem School

What grades does Ralston Elem School serve?

Ralston Elem School serves students in grades 1st through 6th.

How many students attend Ralston Elem School?

Ralston Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 294 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ralston Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ralston Elem School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ralston Elem School rank in IL?

Ralston Elem School ranks #1,539 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Ralston Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ralston Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ralston Elem School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ralston Elem School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Ralston Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Ralston Elem School a Title I school?

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

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

46.3% of students at Ralston 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
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 6th
Enrollment
294
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Winnebago County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.0%

District

Harlem UD 122
District Enrollment
6,254
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,101
District Rank
#2 of 11

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