Very Good
#682 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 18% in state
South Elementary School
Elementary School · Il Valley Central USD 321
616 W Hickory St, Chillicothe, IL 61523
Enrollment
426
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
426
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chillicothe
#1 of 5
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#447 of 2,326
In district
#1 of 6
Il Valley Central USD 321
Academic performance
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About South Elementary School
South Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Chillicothe, Illinois, in Peoria County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through third grade and has an enrollment of 426 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1 and 24 full-time equivalent teachers, South Elementary provides a supportive learning environment for its young learners.
The academic performance at South Elementary School is notable, with the school ranked 828 out of 3,819 schools in Illinois by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 78th percentile. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 54%, and 50% of students are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate that there is room for academic growth but also highlight areas where the school excels.
South Elementary School is situated in a large suburban area, offering a community feel with easy access to local amenities and resources. The neighborhood around South Elementary provides a safe environment for families and supports educational endeavors outside of school hours through nearby libraries, parks, and community centers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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South Elementary School — Students at South Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54%
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: 8.6/10.
How South Elementary School Compares
See how South Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
616 W Hickory St, Chillicothe, IL 61523
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mossville Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 6.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Wilder-Waite Grade School (rated 7.3/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Peoria), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Germantown Hills Elementary Sch (rated 7.2/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Germantown Hills), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Chillicothe, see our Chillicothe schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CALVARY BAPTIST ACADEMY Chillicothe | 0.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Il Valley Central High School Chillicothe | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Chillicothe Elementary Center Chillicothe | 0.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Chillicothe Jr High Chillicothe | 0.6 mi | 7.4 |
| ST EDWARD SCHOOL Chillicothe | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Mossville Elementary School Chillicothe | 6.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Mossville Jr High Mossville | 6.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Riverview Elem School East Peoria | 8.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Midland Middle School Sparland | 8.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Midland Elementary School Lacon | 9.1 mi | 3.1 |
| Germantown Hills Elementary Sch Germantown Hills | 10.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Germantown Hills Middle School Germantown Hills | 10.2 mi | 7.6 |
| NORTHMINSTER LEARNING CENTER Peoria | 9.0 mi | — |
| ST JUDE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Peoria | 8.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Banner Elementary School Dunlap | 8.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Hickory Grove Elementary School Dunlap | 9.3 mi | 6.6 |
| ST MARY'S - METAMORA Metamora | 10.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Wilder-Waite Grade School Peoria | 10.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Metamora High School Metamora | 10.6 mi | 6.2 |
| ALETHEIA SCHOOL Peoria | 11.1 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61523 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,100
Median Home Value
$151,600
Median Rent
$907/mo
Population
10,188
College Educated
27.4%
Homeownership
83.3%
Avg Commute
21.2 min
Poverty Rate
10.5%
Median Age
43.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Elementary School has a median household income of $74,100. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $151,600, with a median rent of $907/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Cantrall Elem School Cantrall, IL | 7.6 |
| Carl Sandburg Elem School Charleston, IL | 7.6 |
| Carroll Elem School Chicago, 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Elementary School
What grades does South Elementary School serve?
South Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.
How many students attend South Elementary School?
South Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 426 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Elementary School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Elementary School rank in IL?
South Elementary School is ranked #682 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is South Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
South 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 South Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Elementary School has 49.5% math proficiency and 53.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Elementary School a charter school?
No, South Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Elementary School a Title I school?
No, South Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Elementary School?
54.0% of students at South 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chillicothe). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 3rd
- Enrollment
- 426
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Peoria County
- Phone
- (309) 274-4841
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Il Valley Central USD 321- District Enrollment
- 2,093
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,755
- District Rank
- #1 of 6
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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