Very Good
#938 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 25% in state
Sowers Elementary School
Elementary School · Roanoke Benson CUSD 60
202 W High St, Roanoke, IL 61561
Enrollment
167
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
167
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Roanoke
#1 of 2
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#599 of 2,326
In district
#2 of 3
Roanoke Benson CUSD 60
Academic performance
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Sowers Elementary School
Sowers Elementary School serves 167 students in kindergarten through fourth grade in Roanoke, Illinois, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranking #200 out of 3,819 Illinois schools, Sowers places in the 95th percentile statewide for academic excellence. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom.
Students demonstrate strong academic achievement with an impressive 9.3 out of 10 academic score, and 57% of students perform at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels. Located at 202 W High St in Woodford County, Sowers serves a stable rural community where the median household income is $72,143 and the poverty rate remains low at just 3.4%. The surrounding ZIP code of 61561 has a population of approximately 2,500 residents, with median home values around $147,500 and 23% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
This regular public elementary school provides a solid educational foundation in a close-knit rural setting, where strong community values and academic achievement go hand in hand.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 167 students, Sowers Elementary 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, Sowers Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
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Sowers Elementary School — Students at Sowers Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.3%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.7/10.
How Sowers Elementary School Compares
See how Sowers Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 32% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
202 W High St, Roanoke, IL 61561
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sowers Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Congerville Elem School (rated 8.3/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Congerville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fieldcrest Intermediate School (rated 7.3/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Toluca), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Davenport Elem School (rated 6.8/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Eureka), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Roanoke, see our Roanoke schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Roanoke-Benson High School Roanoke | 0.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Roanoke-Benson Jr High School Benson | 5.1 mi | 7.6 |
| COUNTRYSIDE PRIVATE SCHOOL INC Eureka | 7.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Davenport Elem School Eureka | 6.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Eureka High School Eureka | 7.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Eureka Middle School Eureka | 8.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Lowpoint-Washburn Jr Sr High Sch Washburn | 9.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Metamora Grade School Metamora | 8.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Lowpoint-Washburn Elem School Washburn | 9.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Metamora High School Metamora | 8.7 mi | 6.2 |
| ST MARY'S - METAMORA Metamora | 8.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Congerville Elem School Congerville | 12.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Centennial School El Paso | 10.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Jefferson Park School El Paso | 10.2 mi | 5.6 |
| El Paso-Gridley High School El Paso | 10.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Fieldcrest Primary School Minonk | 10.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Goodfield Elem School Goodfield | 12.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Fieldcrest High School Minonk | 11.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Dee-Mack Intermediate School Deer Creek | 13.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Fieldcrest Intermediate School Toluca | 14.5 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61561 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,143
Median Home Value
$150,400
Median Rent
$1,091/mo
Population
2,313
College Educated
24.6%
Homeownership
80%
Avg Commute
21.5 min
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Median Age
43.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sowers Elementary School has a median household income of $77,143. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $150,400, with a median rent of $1,091/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Belleville, IL | 7.3 |
| CHICAGO JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Chicago, IL | 7.3 |
| Clay City Elem School Clay City, IL | 7.3 |
| DeSoto Elementary School De Soto, IL | 7.3 |
| Don D Shute Elem School East Peoria, IL | 7.3 |
| Dr Donald Wharton Elem School Summit, IL | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sowers Elementary School
What grades does Sowers Elementary School serve?
Sowers Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.
How many students attend Sowers Elementary School?
Sowers Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 167 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sowers Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sowers Elementary School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sowers Elementary School rank in IL?
Sowers Elementary School is ranked #938 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Sowers Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sowers Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Sowers Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sowers Elementary School has 39.5% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sowers Elementary School a charter school?
No, Sowers Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sowers Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Sowers Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sowers Elementary School?
26.3% of students at Sowers 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 4th
- Enrollment
- 167
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 26.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Woodford County
- Phone
- (309) 923-6241
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Roanoke Benson CUSD 60- District Enrollment
- 448
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,105
- District Rank
- #2 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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