Average
#579 of 716 private schools in IL
St Thomas Catholic School
Elementary School
311 E MADISON ST, Philo, IL 61864
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
Enrollment
122
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow St Thomas Catholic School compares to the 1 public school in Philo, IL
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (217) 684-2309
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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