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Average

#579 of 716 private schools in IL

St Thomas Catholic School

Elementary School

311 E MADISON ST, Philo, IL 61864

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IL statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

122

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Illinois elementary schools

#373 of 471

About St Thomas Catholic School

ST Thomas Catholic School is a charming elementary school located in Philo, Champaign, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 122 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1 with eleven full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its small size, ST Thomas Catholic School offers a warm and nurturing educational environment that focuses on both academic and spiritual growth.

While specific test scores are not available, the school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 suggests there is room for academic improvement. However, many parents appreciate the personal attention their children receive in this rural setting near a small town. The tight-knit community fosters strong relationships between teachers and students as well as among families.

ST Thomas Catholic School stands out in its picturesque rural surroundings, offering a unique blend of faith-based education and close-knit support for young learners.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 122 students, St Thomas Catholic 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.

As a private school, St Thomas Catholic School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Located in a rural area, St Thomas Catholic 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How St Thomas Catholic School compares to the 1 public school in Philo, IL

Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
This School
vs
11.5:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
122
This School
vs
241
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.2
This School
vs
5.5
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 94.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 1.6% vs 0%
Black 0.8% vs 0%
St Thomas Catholic School Philo Public Avg

All Schools in Philo

School Rating
St Thomas Catholic School (this school) 5.2
Unity East 5.5

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in IL.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 6.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 11.2:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C- 1.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 5.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 962.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 3.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 11%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 122
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in IL

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 94.3%
Two or More 3.3%
Hispanic 1.6%
Black 0.8%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

311 E MADISON ST, Philo, IL 61864

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Thomas Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NEXT GENERATION SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Champaign), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CHAMPAIGN-URBANA (rated 8.5/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Savoy), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Carrie Busey Elem School (rated 7.8/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Savoy), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Philo, see our Philo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Unity East Philo 1.4 mi 5.5
Yankee Ridge Elem School Urbana 6.3 mi 4.9
Unity High School Tolono 5.1 mi 6.5
Thomas Paine Elem School Urbana 6.5 mi 5.8
Unity Jr High School Tolono 5.2 mi 6.2
Carrie Busey Elem School Savoy 5.9 mi 7.8
Urbana Early Childhood Ctr Urbana 7.1 mi 5.5
Dr Preston L Williams Jr Elem Sch Urbana 7.1 mi 6.4
Urbana Middle School Urbana 7.3 mi 6.1
Urbana High School Urbana 7.4 mi 7.1
CAMPUS MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Urbana 7.7 mi 5.4
Leal Elem School Urbana 7.7 mi 5.1
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CHAMPAIGN-URBANA Savoy 7.0 mi 8.5
Unity West Tolono 6.6 mi 6.5
ACADEMY HIGH Champaign 7.5 mi 7.2
CIRCLE ACADEMY Urbana 8.6 mi 7.0
University of Illinois High Sch Urbana 8.3 mi 6.2
M L King Jr Elem School Urbana 8.7 mi 6.3
NEXT GENERATION SCHOOL Champaign 7.9 mi 8.7
Bottenfield Elem School Champaign 8.2 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61864 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$91,827

Median Home Value

$203,600

Median Rent

$1,063/mo

Population

1,714

College Educated

29%

Homeownership

87.9%

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

35.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Thomas Catholic School has a median household income of $91,827. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $203,600, with a median rent of $1,063/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Armstrong-Ellis Elem School Armstrong, IL 5.2
BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL Naperville, IL 5.2
Bartelso Elem School Bartelso, IL 5.2
Indian Hill Palos Heights, IL 5.2
Lincoln Elem School Pittsburg, IL 5.2
Midway School Moro, IL 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Thomas Catholic School

What grades does St Thomas Catholic School serve?

St Thomas Catholic School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend St Thomas Catholic School?

St Thomas Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 122 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Thomas Catholic School?

The student-teacher ratio at St Thomas Catholic School is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Thomas Catholic School rank in IL?

St Thomas Catholic School is ranked #579 out of 716 private schools in IL.

What is St Thomas Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Thomas Catholic School has a composite rating of 5.2 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.

Is St Thomas Catholic School a private school?

Yes, St Thomas Catholic School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is St Thomas Catholic School a religious school?

St Thomas Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
122
Gender Split
40% M / 60% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
5.5 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
CHAMPAIGN
Data Year
2022–2023

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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