Average
#2274 of 3,813 schools in IL
Ralston Elem School
Elementary School · Harlem UD 122
710 Ralston Rd, Machesney Park, IL 61115
Enrollment
294
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
5.9
Grades
1st – 6th
Enrollment
294
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
5.9
Grades
1st – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Machesney Park
#3 of 6
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,372 of 2,326
In district
#8 of 11
Harlem UD 122
About Ralston Elem School
Ralston Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in Machesney Park, Illinois, in Winnebago County. The school serves students from first through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 294 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1. Ralston Elem School prides itself on having 19 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.
According to MySchoolScout, the school's overall rating is 5.4 out of 10, placing it at the 50th percentile among Illinois schools with a ranking of #1912 out of 3819. The academic score stands at 6.2/10, indicating there’s room for improvement in test performance. Currently, 31% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 32% meet proficiency standards in math.
While the school's test scores show areas where growth is needed, it remains committed to supporting its diverse student body through dedicated teachers and focused programs tailored to individual needs. Ralston Elem School sits in a large suburban area, offering students access to various community resources and activities that complement their educational experience.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Ralston Elem School — Students at Ralston Elem School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.3%
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: 5.5/10.
How Ralston Elem School Compares
See how Ralston Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 25% (2022).
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. Loves Park Elem School (rated 7.7/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Loves Park), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rock Cut Elem School (rated 7.4/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Loves Park), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Maple Elem School (rated 6.9/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Loves Park), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 6.4 |
| Machesney Elem School Machesney Park | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Harlem High School Machesney Park | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Marquette Elem School Machesney Park | 1.8 mi | 4.6 |
| VERITAS CHRISTI HYBRID ACADEMY Rockford | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Donald C Parker Early Educ Center Machesney Park | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| WALTER LAWSON CHILDRENS HOME Loves Park | 2.2 mi | — |
| Maple Elem School Loves Park | 2.4 mi | 6.9 |
| 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 | 7.4 |
| Windsor Elem School Loves Park | 3.1 mi | 6.4 |
| 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 | 7.7 |
| Kinnikinnick School Roscoe | 3.9 mi | 4.5 |
| NORTH LOVE CHRISTIAN Rockford | 4.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Stephen Mack Middle School Rockton | 4.2 mi | 6.6 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ralston Elem School has a median household income of $73,771. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $160,700, with a median rent of $1,111/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Algonquin Lakes Elem Sch Algonquin, IL | 5.9 |
| Bushnell-Prairie City Elem Sch Bushnell, IL | 5.9 |
| Central Elem School Lewistown, IL | 5.9 |
| Central Intermediate School Roxana, IL | 5.9 |
| Conklin Elem School Rockford, IL | 5.9 |
| Dr Maude A Sanders Primary School Peoria, IL | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #2274 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Ralston Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ralston Elem School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Ralston Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ralston Elem School has 32.0% math proficiency and 31.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,855/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Machesney Park). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (815) 654-4505
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harlem UD 122- District Enrollment
- 6,254
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,101
- District Rank
- #8 of 11
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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