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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.7Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.21 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected+7.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.5Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,604

Sowers Elementary School — Students at Sowers Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 39.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2022
ELA
57%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.3/10
75th percentile in IL
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
42 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Roanoke Benson CUSD 60
District Enrollment
448
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,105
District Rank
#2 of 3

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 methodology

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