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Very Good

#1048 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 28% in state

Steward Elementary School

Elementary School · Steward ESD 220

602 Main St, Steward, IL 60553

Enrollment

56

Student-Teacher

5.6:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois elementary schools

#670 of 2,326

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Steward Elementary School

Steward Elementary School serves 56 students in grades kindergarten through eighth in the small rural community of Steward, Illinois. With just 10 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.6:1, allowing for highly personalized attention and instruction. The school has earned a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #817 out of 3,819 Illinois elementary schools, placing it in the 79th percentile statewide.

In English Language Arts and Reading, 34% of students perform at proficient or above levels across all grade levels, indicating room for continued academic growth while benefiting from the school's intimate learning environment. Steward Elementary operates within Lee County's ZIP code 60553, where the median household income reaches $100,000 and the poverty rate remains low at just 5.1%. The community of 666 residents enjoys affordable housing with a median home value of $165,000, and 30% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

This small K-8 school offers the advantages of rural education, where students can develop close relationships with teachers and classmates in a tight-knit community setting that values both academic achievement and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 56 students, Steward 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.6:1, Steward Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Steward 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 Progress6.5Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,121

Steward Elementary School — Students at Steward Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 39.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 3 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
ELA
34.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.5/10.

How Steward Elementary School Compares

See how Steward Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
73th percentile in IL
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

602 Main St, Steward, IL 60553

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Steward Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Creston Elem School (rated 9.7/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Creston), which scores notably higher. Another option is Indian Creek Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Shabbona), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kings Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Kings), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Steward, see our Steward schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Elem School Rochelle 5.8 mi 4.7
Rochelle Middle School Rochelle 6.0 mi 4.1
Tilton Elem School Rochelle 6.3 mi 5.6
Creston Elem School Creston 6.3 mi 9.7
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rochelle 6.5 mi 5.8
Rochelle Twp High School Rochelle 7.2 mi 5.1
Lincoln Elem School Rochelle 7.5 mi 2.6
Paw Paw Elem School Paw Paw 11.0 mi 8.1
Paw Paw Junior High School Paw Paw 11.0 mi
Indian Creek Elementary School Shabbona 9.5 mi 8.8
Indian Creek High School Shabbona 9.5 mi 7.8
Kings Elementary School Kings 11.5 mi 8.5
Malta Elementary School Malta 10.9 mi 7.2
Ashton-Franklin Center HS Ashton 10.7 mi 6.3
Eswood C C Grade School Lindenwood 14.4 mi 4.8
Monroe Center Grade School Monroe Center 17.5 mi 7.4
Indian Creek Middle School Waterman 14.0 mi 5.4
Tyler Elementary School De Kalb 14.2 mi 5.1
Huntley Middle School Dekalb 14.5 mi 6.3
DeKalb Early Lrng and Dev Ctr Dekalb 14.5 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60553 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$110,938

Median Home Value

$173,200

Median Rent

$1,536/mo

Population

681

College Educated

32.7%

Homeownership

86.1%

Avg Commute

29.3 min

Poverty Rate

3.8%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Steward Elementary School has a median household income of $110,938. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,200, with a median rent of $1,536/month. The local poverty rate of 3.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Adams Elem School Lincoln, IL 7.2
CORAM DEO CLASSICAL SCHOOL Mount Vernon, IL 7.2
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Aurora, IL 7.2
ST PHILIP LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago, IL 7.2
BRICKTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Chicago, IL 7.3
COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aurora, IL 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Steward Elementary School

What grades does Steward Elementary School serve?

Steward Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Steward Elementary School?

Steward Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 56 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Steward Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Steward Elementary School is 5.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Steward Elementary School rank in IL?

Steward Elementary School is ranked #1048 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Steward Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Steward Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.2 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.

What are the test scores at Steward Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Steward Elementary School has 34.5% math proficiency and 39.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Steward Elementary School a charter school?

No, Steward Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Steward Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Steward Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Steward Elementary School?

25.0% of students at Steward 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
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
56
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Lee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Steward ESD 220
District Enrollment
56
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,229
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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