Very Good
#706 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 19% in state
Reed-custer Elementary School
Elementary School · Reed Custer CUSD 255U
162 S School St, Braidwood, IL 60408
Enrollment
691
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
691
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Braidwood
#1 of 3
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#463 of 2,326
In district
#1 of 3
Reed Custer CUSD 255U
Academic performance
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Reed-custer Elementary School
Reed-Custer Elementary School serves 691 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Braidwood, Illinois. With 53 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 13:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 81st percentile among Illinois elementary schools at #732 out of 3,819 schools statewide.
Students show consistent achievement across core subjects, with 42% of students performing at proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts and Mathematics. Reed-Custer Elementary operates as a regular public school in Will County, drawing families from a stable community where the median household income reaches $85,625 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 7.1%. The surrounding neighborhood features median home values of $204,000, reflecting an established residential area that supports educational priorities.
The school serves a community of 5,307 residents in the 60408 ZIP code area, where 17% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Reed-Custer Elementary is situated in Braidwood, a town positioned on the fringe of an urban area, offering families the benefits of small-town community feel while maintaining access to broader metropolitan resources.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Reed-custer Elementary School — Students at Reed-custer Elementary School score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.9%
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: 7.0/10.
How Reed-custer Elementary School Compares
See how Reed-custer Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 40% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 35% (2022).
Location
162 S School St, Braidwood, IL 60408
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Reed-custer Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Coal City Intermediate School (rated 8.1/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Coal City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is L J Stevens Intermediate School (rated 7.3/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Aux Sable (rated 7.1/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Minooka), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Braidwood, see our Braidwood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Reed-Custer High School Braidwood | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Reed-Custer Middle School Braidwood | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Braceville Elem School Braceville | 3.3 mi | 2.9 |
| Coal City Intermediate School Coal City | 3.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Coal City Elem School Coal City | 3.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Coal City High School Coal City | 4.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Coal City Middle School Coal City | 4.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Bruning Elem School Wilmington | 4.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Coal City Early Childhood Center Coal City | 4.4 mi | 4.8 |
| L J Stevens Intermediate School Wilmington | 5.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Wilmington Middle School Wilmington | 5.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Wilmington High School Wilmington | 5.5 mi | 5.6 |
| South Wilmington Grade School South Wilmington | 6.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Gardner Elem School Gardner | 6.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Gardner-South Wilmington Twp H S Gardner | 6.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Pioneer Path Channahon | 11.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Aux Sable Minooka | 11.9 mi | 7.1 |
| N B Galloway Elem School Channahon | 12.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Channahon Junior High School Channahon | 12.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Three Rivers School Channahon | 12.5 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60408 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$93,914
Median Home Value
$219,800
Median Rent
$1,089/mo
Population
5,332
College Educated
19.1%
Homeownership
80.2%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Median Age
42.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Reed-custer Elementary School has a median household income of $93,914. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $219,800, with a median rent of $1,089/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Carl Sandburg Elem School Charleston, IL | 7.6 |
| Chaney-Monge School Crest Hill, IL | 7.6 |
| Creekside Elementary School Plainfield, IL | 7.6 |
| East Prairie Elem School Skokie, IL | 7.6 |
| Farnsworth Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.6 |
| Haley Elem Academy Chicago, IL | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Reed-custer Elementary School
What grades does Reed-custer Elementary School serve?
Reed-custer Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Reed-custer Elementary School?
Reed-custer Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 691 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Reed-custer Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Reed-custer Elementary School is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Reed-custer Elementary School rank in IL?
Reed-custer Elementary School is ranked #706 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Reed-custer Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Reed-custer Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Reed-custer Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Reed-custer Elementary School has 42.5% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Reed-custer Elementary School a charter school?
No, Reed-custer Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Reed-custer Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Reed-custer Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Reed-custer Elementary School?
45.9% of students at Reed-custer 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Braidwood). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 691
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Will County
- Phone
- (815) 458-2145
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Reed Custer CUSD 255U- District Enrollment
- 1,375
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,146
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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