Average
#1332 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 35% in state
Thomas Metcalf School
Elementary School · ISU Laboratory Schools
Isu Campus Box 7000, Normal, IL 61790
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Normal
#4 of 15
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#844 of 2,326
In district
#2 of 2
ISU Laboratory Schools
School environment
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Thomas Metcalf School
Thomas Metcalf School stands out as an exceptional elementary school serving 449 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Normal, Illinois. Located on the ISU campus, this regular public school has earned impressive recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #62 out of 3,819 schools statewide, placing it in the 98th percentile of Illinois schools. The school's academic excellence is reflected in its outstanding 9.4 out of 10 academic score.
Students demonstrate strong performance in English Language Arts and reading, with 58% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. With 48 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, Thomas Metcalf maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, allowing for more individualized attention and support. This comprehensive prekindergarten through eighth-grade program provides families with educational continuity as their children progress through their foundational academic years.
The school's consistent high performance suggests a well-established culture of learning and achievement. Thomas Metcalf School operates in the mid-size suburb of Normal within McLean County, offering families access to quality education in a community-oriented setting with the added benefit of its university campus location.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, Thomas Metcalf 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.
Score Breakdown
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Thomas Metcalf School — Students at Thomas Metcalf School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
8.2%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.9/10.
How Thomas Metcalf School Compares
See how Thomas Metcalf School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 53% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 58% (2022).
Location
Isu Campus Box 7000, Normal, IL 61790
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thomas Metcalf School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST MARYS SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Bloomington), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oakdale Elem School (rated 7.3/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Colene Hoose Elem School (rated 7.0/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Normal, see our Normal schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Kingsley Jr High School Normal | 0.2 mi | 4.5 |
| University High School Normal | 0.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Oakdale Elem School Normal | 0.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Glenn Elem School Normal | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Chiddix Jr High School Normal | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Normal | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Fairview Elem School Normal | 1.1 mi | 3.1 |
| MULBERRY SCHOOL Normal | 1.2 mi | — |
| BLOOM COMMUNITY SCHOOL Normal | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| EPIPHANY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Normal | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Bent Elem School Bloomington | 1.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Colene Hoose Elem School Normal | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Sheridan Elem School Bloomington | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Bloomington Jr High School Bloomington | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Parkside Jr High School Normal | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Bloomington High School Bloomington | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Parkside Elementary School Normal | 1.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Normal Community West High School Normal | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Sugar Creek Elem School Normal | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| ST MARYS SCHOOL Bloomington | 2.4 mi | 8.6 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bristol Bay Elem Sch Yorkville, IL | 6.8 |
| Butterfield School Libertyville, IL | 6.8 |
| Carol Stream Elem School Carol Stream, IL | 6.8 |
| Christopher Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.8 |
| Cleveland Elem School Chicago, IL | 6.8 |
| Clifford Johnson School Warrenville, IL | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thomas Metcalf School
What grades does Thomas Metcalf School serve?
Thomas Metcalf School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Thomas Metcalf School?
Thomas Metcalf School has an enrollment of approximately 449 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Metcalf School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Metcalf School is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thomas Metcalf School rank in IL?
Thomas Metcalf School is ranked #1332 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Thomas Metcalf School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas Metcalf School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Thomas Metcalf School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas Metcalf School has 60.0% math proficiency and 64.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thomas Metcalf School a charter school?
No, Thomas Metcalf School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thomas Metcalf School a Title I school?
No, Thomas Metcalf School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas Metcalf School?
8.2% of students at Thomas Metcalf 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
- City Safety
- High (1,885/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Normal). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 449
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 8.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- McLean County
- Phone
- (309) 438-7621
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ISU Laboratory Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,078
- Schools in District
- 2
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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